ATSSA Town Hall breaks down IIJA funding, timing ATSSA Town Hall breaks down IIJA funding, timing ‘Gas tax holidays’ raise concerns, not expected at federal level Pam / Tuesday, April 5, 2022 0 3540 Article rating: No rating Five months after the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law, it’s understandable ATSSA members could be wondering when the money will begin flowing to projects across the country. That was one of the key discussion points today during an ATSSA Town Hall on the “Economic Impact of the Infrastructure Package on ATSSA Member Companies.” ATSSA Vice President of Engagement Nate Smith and Kathy Ruffalo, president of consulting firm Ruffalo & Associates, reviewed the funds expected through different programs, the steps to get them accessible and when the first money can be expected. Smith also talked about the gas tax holiday proposals across the country and ATSSA's efforts against them. Read more
Biden highlights guardrails in State of the Union Biden highlights guardrails in State of the Union Tetschner applauds focus on safety and infrastructure in congressional address Pam / Wednesday, March 2, 2022 0 3272 Article rating: No rating In championing the passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, President Joe Biden specifically mentioned “highway guardrails” as a positive outcome of the legislation. This is apparently the first mention of guardrails in the history of these presidential addresses to Congress. Additionally, Biden announced that the nation would start fixing “over 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges in disrepair.” That was in addition to 4,000 projects Biden said had already been announced. ATSSA President & CEO Stacy Tetschner commended the emphasis on infrastructure and the specific reference to a proven lifesaving device produced by ATSSA members. Read more
Congressional Road Safety Caucus puts spotlight on safety Congressional Road Safety Caucus puts spotlight on safety Transportation and safety proposals this year offer optimism for roadway safety advocates Pam / Tuesday, June 15, 2021 0 5574 Article rating: 4.0 One of the ways members of Congress shine a light on a specific issue is through the formation of congressional caucuses. Reps. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) have done exactly that in creating the bipartisan Congressional Road Safety Caucus this year. One of the first steps came on April 14, when Reps. Tom O’Halleran (D-Ariz.) and Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced the High Risk Rural Roads Safety Grant Program Act in the House. The Act would create a new competitive grant program for local jurisdictions and tribal nations to focus federal funding on rural and tribal road safety projects. Funded at $600 million annually, this proposal would give a needed boost to targeting safety challenges on these rural and tribal roadways. Other roadway safety proposals are also being considered on Capitol Hill. Read more