The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) has commended the US House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for introducing an infrastructure bill that includes the ROCKS Act. The time to act is now says the association.
NSSGA president Michael W. Johnson, says: “I commend committee chairman Peter DeFazio and his team introducing INVEST in America Act.
“This is an important step forward. As we continue to review the bill text, we greatly appreciate the chairman’s inclusion of the ROCKS Act.
“Infrastructure investment is not only the answer to fixing our roads and bridges, it is also the fastest and most enduring way to create jobs and realize a real economic recovery.
“The time to act is now.
“Stone, sand and gravel are essential raw materials found in every road, bridge, transit and public works project.
“Ensuring communities are able to access these materials is smart policy that will reduce environmental impacts and allows for greater economic development.
“We would like to specifically thank congressman Greg Stanton and congressman Troy Balderson, for their bipartisan work to advance this important legislation.
“While NSSGA will continue to work with congressional stakeholders to advance sound and effective infrastructure policies – one thing is certain – infrastructure funding is long overdue and will be the key to leading our economic recovery.
“Our infrastructure has been suffering the effects of chronic underinvestment for years. Now our broader economy is suffering too.
“Unemployment rates are higher than they have been since the great depression. We built our way out of the depression, and we need to do so again now.
“Significant, comprehensive infrastructure investment was crucial then, and it is equally as necessary now. This is not the time for politics but rather solutions that generate bipartisan support and can be quickly enacted.”
NSSGA says that it will “continue working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to realize meaningful infrastructure investment, which is especially needed with expiration of the FAST Act quickly approaching on September 30.”