As Congress works to find agreement on a continuing resolution, the undersigned organizations ask that the overwhelmingly bipartisan S. 3011/H.R. 5735 be included in any stopgap spending package.  This legislation allows states and localities additional flexibility to use American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for a range of transportation purposes. The ARP law provided $350 billion in state and local government relief funds and $10 billion in capital improvement assistance.  As states continue to recover from the pandemic, new economic headwinds and rising costs have emerged.

As Congress returns to session, we urge immediate consideration and passage of H.R. 4373, which would provide additional support for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. The legislation also includes S. 3011/H.R. 5735, a measure to provide greater flexibility to American Rescue Plan (ARP) state and local resources. The ARP law provided $350 billion in relief funds and $10 billion in capital improvement assistance, which was critical to state and local governments managing pandemic-induced budget shortfalls.

As Congress moves to consider H.R. 4373, which would provide additional support for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics, we applaud the inclusion of S. 3011/H.R. 5735, a measure to provide greater flexibility to American Rescue Plan (ARP) state and local resources. The ARP law provided $350 billion in relief funds and $10 billion in capital improvement assistance, which was critical to state and local governments managing pandemic-induced budget shortfalls.

On behalf of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I write to request an extension to the extremely short comment period for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard. The agency has only provided the public with 30 days to submit input. This is an extensive rulemaking, and stakeholders need more time to provide the agency with comprehensive comments. Additional time will allow the employer community to find issues or points of concern as they attempt to implement the ETS.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Michele Stanley issued the following statement regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announcement of an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that phases in a vaccine mandate for companies with over 100 employees.

As the House Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittees on Workforce Protections and Civil Rights and Human Services examine vaccine mandates in the workplace, I am writing to share our concerns regarding the obligations of the executive order requiring vaccinations or COVID-19 testing through an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, aggregates operators have taken aggressive actions to protect workers, as they continue to produce A

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, aggregates operators have taken aggressive actions to protect workers, as they continue to produce America’s essential building materials. We support your overall goal of vaccinating Americans against COVID-19 and have launched a national vaccination campaign in concert with our member companies.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provided states and localities with $350 billion in relief funds and $10 billion in capital improvement assistance at a time of critical need.  The COVID-19 pandemic ripped a gaping hole in the budgets of many local governments, making this assistance crucial for many workers and businesses across the nation. However, the funds lack clear guidance to states and localities on their applicability.

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Michele Stanley issued the following statement as the U.S. Department of Labor released its long awaited Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) which targets healthcare and does not cover other workplaces under the jurisdiction of OSHA or MSHA.

In light of recent positive developments to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are writing to, once again, share our concerns with the implementation of an emergency temporary standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) shares your strong desire to protect American workers and we are proud of our partnership with the Department of Labor (DOL) to advance its critical mission.