ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to the nation’s lieutenant governors today, asking them to declare ATSSA members in the category of “essential critical infrastructure workers” as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Although ATSSA members fall into the categories outlined by DHS as essential, we urge you and the Governor to explicitly indicate that these industries in your state be deemed essential,” Tetschner wrote.

ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner sent a letter to the nation’s governors today asking that the Association’s members be considered “essential critical infrastructure workers”  in their respective jurisdictions under the guidelines issued March 19 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“On behalf of the 1,500 members of the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), I urge you to deem road construction workers and the manufacturers of roadway safety devices and construction machinery as essential industries and workers in your state,” Tetschner wrote. “ATSSA members manufacture, distribute and install lifesaving roadway safety infrastructure devices such as traffic signs and signals, pavement markings, guardrail and cable barrier, crash cushions and work zone safety devices, among many others.

Today, both houses of the Kansas legislature voted to pass a transportation funding bill and sent it to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk. Members of the Heart of America-ATSSA (HOA-ATSSA) Chapter leadership participated in the Economic Lifelines coalition advocacy day in Topeka on Feb. 12. They had a booth in the state Capitol highlighting the work that ATSSA members do throughout Kansas. Additionally, they met with Transportation Committee leaders and the state Secretary of Transportation and participated in a press conference with the governor.

ATSSA has postponed two major events scheduled for this spring in the wake of COVID-19. The Legislative Briefing & Fly-In scheduled for April 22-23 has been delayed by five months to Sept. 9-10. The Safer Roads 2020 International Conference scheduled for May 12-14 in Richmond, Va., has been postponed by six months to November. An exact date will be announced once it is confirmed.

We will post additional updates related to COVID-19 as available.

ATSSA is "steadfastly opposed" to the Federal Communication Commission's plan to reallocate a portion of the 5.9 GHz band of spectrum to other uses out of concerns for "safety and security," President & CEO Roger Wentz said in a statement filed this week with the Federal Register.

People have until March 9 to submit comments and until April 6 to post replies to the proposal, first announced by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai at a Nov. 20 meeting with Citizens Against Government Waste, New America’s Open Technology Institute, and WifiForward.