(May 12, 2014) - The current Highway Bill expires Sept. 30, and the Highway Trust Fund is almost out of money. The time to act is now, says the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
AEM is offering a special travel incentive for industry professionals to participate in upcoming Washington, D.C. fly-ins to push for adequate, long-term federal funding of highways, roads and bridges.
AEM is offering eligible fly-in participants $500 to defray travel expenses to Washington D.C. (Or, participants can have AEM donate the $500 to benefit wounded warriors).
The upcoming fly-ins are:
- June 10-11 Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-in
- June 11 Rally for Roads
- September 9-10 Material Group Fly-in
Capitol Hill Meetings Boost Industry Grassroots Action
AEM initiated the fly-in incentive to boost grassroots industry action. Participants can meet with their elected officials and urge action to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent and to support multi-year reauthorization of the federal-aid highway program.
“Our industry has an impressive story to tell, but we need ‘boots on the ground’ in Washington to succeed. Congress needs to hear from and see the faces of those in the industry whose livelihoods will be directly affected if they do not take action on the highway bill,” stated AEM President Dennis Slater. “We have no time to lose on these efforts; that’s why AEM made the decision to commit resources to help generate as large a turnout as possible at these industry-wide events.”
Incentive Eligibility and Sign-up
Participants in the 2014 TCC Fly-in, Rally for Roads or Material Group Fly-in must meet these criteria to receive AEM support:
- They attended CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014.
- They did not register for these past events: 2013 TCC Fly-in, 2012 Rally for Roads or 2013 Material Industry Fly-In.
- They report back on their experience on the Hill.
AEM, through I Make America, has set-up an online resource for industry professionals to obtain more information and to register for the AEM fly-in incentive.
The TCC Fly-in is co-chaired by Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America and American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The Rally for Roads is chaired by National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). The Material Industry Fly-in is chaired by National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA).
