The Georgia Ready Mixed Concrete Association (GRMCA) recently hosted Georgia District 7 Representative Rob Woodall as part of a statewide transportation speaking tour at the Martin Marietta quarry in Augusta, Ga. It is the third such meeting between Woodall and GRMCA. Rounding out his first term on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Woodall has been aggressive in immersing himself in the issues important to the infrastructure industry, including ready-mix concrete.
Early in his tenure with the committee, Woodall made a commitment that Congress would pass a long-term transportation funding bill. He stayed true to this commitment by helping pass the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act last December. This was the first long-term transportation bill to be passed in 10 years. The five-year legislation provides $305 billion in funding towards improving and reforming our nation’s transportation infrastructure and programs. The FAST Act offers flexibility for state and local governments to streamline the project approval process, maintain a strong commitment to safety, and ease burdensome regulations on businesses.
While the FAST Act has refocused and reshaped our national infrastructure priorities, the impact in Georgia has also been significant. Georgia received the eighth largest funding stream, with more than $6.8 billion allocated to the state through 2020. This bill creates jobs and economic competitiveness by allowing commerce to flow and projects to move forward. It gives Georgia, as well as all states, a certainty in funding that it has lacked for years.
As the sole Georgian on the Committee, it was also important to Woodall to seek guidance from local industries on the regulatory issues that could be addressed in the FAST Act. During a concrete plant tour, GRMCA members took the opportunity to show Woodall precisely how they conduct their business as well as some of the issues they face that hinder their operations. One such issue was the FMCSA mandated 30-minute break.
The ready-mix industry was operating under a temporary exemption from the break but was seeking to make it permanent. After taking the time to educate himself on the issue, it became a no-brainer to support. “It was apparent to me that while this one-size-fits-all regulation was well-intended for trucking safety, it simply did not work for the ready-mix industry due to the nature of the job and the product,” stated Woodall. “These are the types of common sense reforms I am committed to producing as long as I sit on the Transportation Committee.”
Woodall and his staff worked with both the GRMCA and NRMCA on ensuring language was in the FAST Act that would make the exemption permanent. In the end, Congress permitted ready mix producers to allow for time on jobsites and batch plants to count toward the requisite 30 minutes. GRMCA Executive Director Jimmy Cotty was appreciative of Woodall’s support. “As we continue working with Rep. Woodall on large, red tape issues for our industry it is clear to me that he can be counted on to efficiently work towards eliminating obstacles that directly affect our bottom line,” said Cotty.
While speaking with members and supporters, Woodall also addressed what he anticipates in the lame duck session of Congress and what he perceives to be the future in transportation and infrastructure funding.
When asked about the upcoming lame duck session, Woodall shared that funding would consume most of the time, specifically in regards to trade and budget bills. He is also optimistic about the Water Resources Development Act passing, which would be the first time in seven years. “It would mean everything to the Port of Savannah,” he affirmed. The Water Resources Development Act will help provide the resources to continue projects that will significantly contribute to interstate commerce and economic growth.
Woodall spoke about the future of transportation funding. In the recently passed FAST Act, he noted that there is about a $70 billion deficit. By the time the FAST Act expires in 2020, that deficit will grow to approximately $120 billion. He feels strongly about funding bills with upfront user fees rather than hiding fees in taxes. “I want people to see the value in making it to their kid’s soccer game on time. I want them to be proud of the orange cones. To me, they are a signal of commerce and economic development,” said Rep. Woodall.
Infrastructure unity
Despite the partisan bickering that consumes most issues in Washington, Woodall believes there is a great deal of unity surrounding infrastructure. “Everyone can agree on the importance of improving the country’s crumbling and outdated infrastructure,” stated Woodall.
As an example he illustrated how the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee works collaboratively in a bipartisan manner to get things done, unlike the Rules and Budget Committees which are typically dominated by the majority party. Without consensus of the Chairman and Ranking Member along with the Sub Committee Chairman and Ranking Member, legislation will have a difficult time being passed out of Transportation.
Woodall expressed hope in the states to seek solutions as a means of cutting into the deficit on transportation funding. Citing Georgia’s recent passage of House Bill 170 during the 2015 Georgia Legislative Session, Rep. Woodall believes state participation is key, “I hear from my colleagues around the country all the time asking me how Georgia was able to get such comprehensive transportation funding reform done.” Funding from the FAST Act combined with revenue from Georgia House Bill 170 will provide an additional $2 billion annually for infrastructure in the state.
All in all, Woodall’s first term on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was a huge success. “I am proud Congress passed a long-term funding bill and to be able to serve the concrete industry by crafting long-term solutions to industry-specific issues. I look forward to working with the GRMCA in the future on reform that benefits the industry as a whole,” said Woodall.
