ROCKPAC is Integral to Our Success

Laura Henry

By Laura Henry, NSSGA

 

Over the past few years, many of you have seen the huge policy victories we have achieved on behalf of the aggregates industry. These victories include: passage of IIJA that included the ROCKS Act and aggregates exclusion to Buy America requirements for construction materials; continuously having our industry represented in front of Congress and the administration as we worked to achieve a more favorable outcome to the WOTUS rule; preventing federal land withdrawals that impact aggregates development; extensive appropriations wins that promote usage of our materials; reforms to environmental laws that speed up permitting for the first time in 40 years; and fought back against mass-timber-industry-driven federal mandates that would give them market advantages.
 

We can all agree that the key tool NSSGA has to get these advocacy goals across the finish line is ROCKPAC. With your support, ROCKPAC has been off to a great start for 2023, working to:

  • Drive support for current infrastructure dollars and protect future investments;
     
  • Ensure there are no new sourcing requirements for aggregates related to Build America Buy America provisions;
     
  • Secure aggregates-friendly language in government funding bills;
     
  • Support materials research in FAA reauthorization;
     
  • Expand aggregates producer markets through the Farm Bill;
     
  • Fully implement the ROCKS Act; and
     
  • Safeguard science-based federal standards that protect public health and the environment and provide economic opportunities for the industry.

 

With the 2024 election cycle ramping up, ROCKPAC must be prepared, now more than ever, to fulfill our advocacy goals for the aggregates industry. The current Congress is presenting us with new challenges and opportunities for our industry, and it is critical to always be prepared for the future. As you may be aware, ROCKPAC has already surpassed all previous records, raising over $815,000 from over 1,000 individual supporters in 2023. This allows us to focus on even more growth and increasing our presence on Capitol Hill.
 

ROCKPAC must follow very specific legal requirements to operate as a federal Political Action Committee (PAC). As such, before we can solicit individuals, we must obtain permission to solicit—also known as "Prior Approval." The FEC requires all trade association PACs to have a signed Prior Approval form on record for each member company that participates in ROCKPAC activities. ROCKPAC will be reaching out to all NSSGA member companies’ official representatives to obtain Prior Approval before the end of the year.

 

ROCKPAC Frequently Asked Questions


What is ROCKPAC?

ROCKPAC is the only political action committee solely dedicated to advancing the aggregates industry’s priorities with federal candidates. It is registered with the Federal Election Commission and allows industry executives and employees of NSSGA to pool personal voluntary financial contributions. These contributions are used to support candidates regardless of party affiliation, who are pro-business, pro-transportation and who understand the interests and concerns of our industry.

 

What is the impact of ROCKPAC?

ROCKPAC is consistently ranked among the top 3 percent of trade association PACs in terms of its size, which is a testament to both its growth and influence in Washington, D.C. With reauthorization of our nation’s surface transportation system underway, an investment in ROCKPAC is an investment in working to grow the federal highway program.

 

Who does ROCKPAC support?

ROCKPAC supports House and Senate candidates who serve in congressional leadership positions, as well as those who serve on key Committees with jurisdiction over our important issues regardless of party affiliation.

 

What is "Prior Approval"?

Federal election law requires the ROCKPAC to secure the Prior Approval of NSSGA members before soliciting and accepting contributions from member employees. Granting Prior Approval simply gives ROCKPAC permission to communicate to PAC eligible employees.

 

Only members that have completed the Prior Approval process will be invited to participate in our Annual PAC Reception that includes dozens of fantastic door prizes and our ultimate grand prize.

 

Can our employees contribute to other PACs if we complete the Prior Approval process?

Yes! Completion of the Prior Approval process does not limit your employees from contributing to other PACs. They may give to other corporate PACs, state PACs, federal PACs, candidate PACs or issue-based PACs.

 

What is our Prior Approval process?

To grant Prior Approval, simply complete and sign the ROCKPAC Prior Approval form and send to lhenry@nssga.org or fax it to (703) 525-7742. You can also provide authorization for up to five years, making the process even simpler.

 

What are the benefits of providing Prior Approval?

Major gift donors will be offered special members-only privileges during the annual convention; and other benefits varying by donor level.

 

Donors are also eligible to present ROCKPAC checks to political candidates, enhancing their ability to build relationships with their elected leaders. By pooling contributions from all ROCKPAC donors, members provide a voice and a face for our industry.

 

Questions? Please contact Laura Henry at (703) 526-1090 or lhenry@nssga.org.