SCRIPT FOR NSSGA MEMBERS TO USE IN RECRUITING BUSINESS / COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

SCRIPT

· I’m calling because I need your help. Actually, our entire community needs it.

· The current extension of the highway bill expires on May 31, and without passage of a new multi-year bill before then, our businesses and community will suffer as roads become more congested and they continue to deteriorate.

· The last bill expired at the end of Sept. 2014 and we’ve been operating under an extension since then.

· Despite assurances of Senate and House leaders that reauthorization is high on the congressional agenda, there is no guarantee that Congress will pass a final bill before the May 31 deadline.

· I believe we can help change that.

· Members of Congress have stated time and again that they do not hear from non-construction or other business highway users calling for infrastructure investment, unless in response to natural disasters.

· I am participating in an initiative that is reaching out to other CEOs as well as business and community leaders who are NOT involved in construction and asking you to join me in Transportation “Round Table” meetings with our area’s members of Congress to impress upon them the importance of a well-functioning transportation system to our economy, our businesses and our lives.

· If we want America to be able to thrive again, we must make Congress understand that they have to make transportation job number one.

· This starts right here at home where we live and do business.

· Congress should focus on passing a long-term highway reauthorization plan before the current extension expires at the end of May. All options must be on the table for consideration to find a long-term funding solution that will stabilize the federal Highway Trust Fund, including an increase in the gas tax (which could be balanced with tax cuts elsewhere so as to be revenue neutral for taxpayers); new revenue streams realized through tax reform; or one-shot infusions from sources such as incentivizing American corporations to bring their foreign profits back to the U.S.

· I hope that you will join with me and other local leaders in these important meetings. The issue is so critical to our economy that it requires all of us affected to let Congress know that further delay is unacceptable.

· They need to act now to pass a new multi-year highway bill. At risk is nothing less than our entire economy, our global competitiveness and the way of life we enjoy.