Tony was a part of an intense Strategic Planning Session for the aggregate industry.  One of the really important things to be thinking about in this election year is, “Who do we want representing our interest in Washington. DC?”   

Dollars allocated for Federal, State, County and local road improvements have a huge impact on our industry, whether it’s stone quarrying, concrete or asphalt paving.  Your vote has weight, just look at how close the last presidential election was!  Not only is voting important, but being an informed voter is absolutely critical and letting the politician know what’s important to YOU.   

NSSGA has put together a “NSSGA Candidate Question Six-Pack”, that I thought was worth sharing with everyone in our industry.  The questionnaire states: 

We need to know which candidates support the pro-aggregate, pro-business agenda.  Here are 6 questions for you to ask candidates to help you make the best choice for your business and the aggregate industry on Election Day: 

« Will you support increasing the highway user fee to pay for the needs of the system and will you support indexing the fee to inflation?     

This is a model program for funding that exemplifies tax fairness by taxing only actual use.   

FHWA data indicates $75.9 billion is required annually just to maintain the Federal Highway System and $106.9 billion is needed annually to maintain and improve the system. 

« Do you support maintaining the Highway Trust fund’s (HTF) firewall?

HTF currently is a separate account and “fire-walled” from the general treasury.

Gasoline user fee receipts are deposited in the HTF for use on highway construction and maintenance.

« How would you deal with the growing highway congestion problem?

Over the past 30 years, there has been a 30% increase in the nation’s population, a 64% increase in the number of licensed drivers, an 87% increase in the number of licensed vehicles and a 125% increase in the number of vehicle miles traveled. During this same time frame, however, there has been only a 6% increase in highway capacity.

Traffic congestion costs the economy close to $70 billion in lost productivity and motor fuel every year.  This “congestion tax” is one we cannot afford.

« What will you do to deal with excessive regulations and unfunded mandates imposed by government?

A recent study performed for the Small Business Administration estimated that regulations cost Americans $843 billion in 2000 compared to the approximately $950 billion paid by Americans in federal income taxes.

The Small Business study estimated that firms employing 20 people or less face regulatory costs of almost $7000 per employee, compared to about $4,500 for the largest firms.

« Will you vote to permanently repeal the death tax?

Repeal of the death tax is set to expire in 2011 along with the rest of the Bush tax cuts unless Congress votes to make the tax cuts permanent.    

The death tax is a revenue loser, not a revenue raiser, with 1% of federal tax receipts collected annually going to insure collection and compliance.

« What tort reform measures in Congress do you support?

The cost of the U.S. tort system for 2001 was $205 billion, or $721 per citizen.  This amounts to over 2% of the gross Domestic Product.

Less than 50 cents of each dollar of tort costs goes to victims. Of that, only 22 cents goes to compensate them for the actual economic losses they have suffered.

I urge you to make the effort to become an educated voter and to cast a ballot for the people who you think will support your interests best.  Politics have a huge impact on your life, so take the time to become involved even if only at the local level.  Actions change things and being informed and educated can truly help make those changes positive.