ATSSA members make a difference on Capitol Hill

Carolinas ATSSA Chapter members Ben Capel and Dane Alsabrook, have been making a difference for roadway safety for years by taking their message directly to Capitol Hill legislators during ATSSA’s Legislative Briefing & Fly-In.

Join them in the nation’s capital this year and play a role in advocating for roadway safety through meetings with your senator, representative or a member of their staff.

Alsabrook, pictured at left, with PPG in Greensboro, said he is sold on the process of delivering the roadway safety message directly to Congressional leaders.

“It’s made a difference. Ben and I have seen the results,” he said. Specifically, they’ve seen “funding buckets” established for roadway safety—such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program HSIP, which started in fiscal 2006 with approximately $1.3 billion annually. It gradually increased over the years until the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act IIJA, brought it to about $3.2 billion annually, with another $2.8 billion annually directed to other safety projects.

Capel, pictured center, is with Guardway Corp. in Charlotte. He said the work of ATSSA’s Government Relations Team in making contacts with legislators is critical to the success. He said those long-term connections are key to gaining influence with lawmakers.

Kevin Lowe of PPG, pictured at right, joined Capel and Alsabrook in meetings with North Carolina legislators in 2022.

ATSSA’s 2023 Legislative Briefing & Fly-In takes place over two days, April 18-19. This year’s event is the same week as National Work Zone Awareness Week, which runs April 17-21.

April 18 – The Legislative Briefing prepares ATSSA members to make their case to federal legislators and includes speakers such as members of Congress and others involved in federal policymaking on issues. That day also includes a PAC Reception in the evening. It will be held at the Pendry hotel, 655 Water St., S.W., Washington, D.C.

April 19 – On Capitol Hill Meeting Day, ATSSA members visit the Capitol Hill offices of their legislators.

Registration for ATSSA members is free for the Legislative Briefing & Fly-In. Members are responsible for travel and lodging expenses. Register by April 3 for guaranteed meetings with legislators.

Check for housing availability in ATSSA’s room block at the Pendry hotel.

A $750 scholarship for the first 10 first-time attendees who register and attend the event is available.