Remote Briefings & Meetings Replace Cancelled Legislative Fly-In

This month ASCE members from around the country were invited to Washington DC for the annual Legislative Fly-in event. Unfortunately, the ASCE 2020 Legislative Fly-In Program was cancelled amid growing concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Texas members look forward to visiting Washington, DC next year for an intensive 2-day program that provides participants with an inside look at the public policy process. At the 2019 event, over 250 ASCE members visited over 360 Congressional offices (that includes nearly two-thirds of the House of Representatives), advocating for a 25-cent per gallon motor fuels tax increase to help fix the Federal Highway Trust Fund, full funding of key infrastructure programs in FY2020 and urging Members of Congress to follow ASCE’s Principles for Investment as they draft a bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Although this year’s program was cancelled, members attended remote briefing sessions on key legislation active in Congress as well as ASCE’s legislative priorities and training on lobbying and influencing your elected leaders. Members are currently in the process of scheduling remote meetings with Members of Congress or their staff. Stay tuned for next month’s update to learn more about key issues and steps you can take locally, even while working from home.

If you are interested in attending future Fly-in events we encourage you to become an ASCE Key Contact and put your mark on public policy. It’s easy to participate and adds significantly to ASCE’s communications on all things infrastructure-related.

CALL TO ACTION:

• ASCE Texas Section is looking to develop a branch-level Government Affairs Committee at every ASCE branch in the State of Texas. These Committees will act as the local liaison to the Texas Section’s Government Affairs Committee as well as educate their branch on local city, county, and municipal level legislative topics that are relevant to their communities. If you are interested in assisting with this assignment, please contact the Government Affairs Committee Chair Augustine Verrengia PE at [email protected].

• ASCE Texas Section is developing a Committee for the 2021 Infrastructure Report Card for Texas – which evaluates all categories of infrastructure every 4 years using a letter grade system. The Government Affairs Committee is tasked with assisting in this important initiative for the Texas Section. We are currently looking for motivated and hard-working individuals to join our team in this effort. If you are interested in assisting with this assignment, please contact the IRC Committee Chair Mark Boyd PhD, PE at [email protected].