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ASA Calls Upon Congressional Leadership for State and Local Infrastructure Funding Flexibility This week, ASA, along with the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC), called upon congressional leadership for the inclusion of S. 3011/H.R. 5735, a measure to provide greater flexibility to American Rescue Plan (ARP) state and local resources, in the pending pandemic aid package.  The…

Senate Passes Ocean Shipping Reform Act The Senate passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), a bill supported by ASA intended to unlock port bottlenecks that have snarled shipments of many farm commodities. The bill must now be conferenced with the previously-passed House version of OSRA, which is more prescriptive in regulating ocean carriers. Return…

COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Act Congress attempted to reach a bipartisan deal on a pandemic aid package and pass it before they leave town this Thursday for a two-week recess. The White House request for $22.5 billion in new funding for COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and testing was whittled down to about $10 billion after a round…

There is Still Time to Fill Out the Communications Survey! We’re Listening. Raise Your Voice Nothing beats one-on-one conversation to spur ideas and connections. That was reinforced at SUBExcel a couple weeks ago as we talked with a lot of our members about how to make YOUR association better. Only problem is that we spoke…

Restaurant and Small Business Aid This week, the House attempted to vote on legislation that would give the Small Business Administration (SBA) additional funds to assist restaurants and small businesses that did not receive relief from previous COVID-19 aid packages. The measure would allocate $42 billion to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and $13 billion…

Legalizing Cannabis On April 1, by a vote of 220-204, the House passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act, legislation to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level.  By decriminalizing cannabis at the federal level, experts say the bill would eliminate the conflict between state and federal marijuana laws. The bill would also establish procedures…

This Week in Congress The House voted on legislation to decriminalize cannabis and expand retirement savings options for workers this week.  The legislation known as the MORE Act would decriminalize cannabis, impose a tax on cannabis products, and provide assistance to cannabis businesses. Additionally, the House voted on the FY23 Coast Guard Reauthorization Act, which…

President Biden’s FY23 Budget On Monday, President Biden released the FY23 $5.8 trillion budget including $1.64 trillion in discretionary spending, which calls for increases for police, health research, climate change, education and ensuring fair elections.  The increase is roughly 9 percent over the $1.51 trillion recently enacted in the FY22 omnibus bill.  The budget includes…

ONE LAST CHANCE: Please Fill Out the Communications Survey! We’re Listening. Raise Your Voice Nothing beats one-on-one conversation to spur ideas and connections. That was reinforced at SUBExcel a couple weeks ago as we talked with a lot of our members about how to make YOUR association better. Only problem is that we spoke to…

ASA Will Comment on OSHA Forklift Proposed Rule On February 16, 2022, OSHA issued a proposed rule updating the design and construction requirements of the powered industrial trucks (forklifts) standards for general industry and construction by incorporating by reference the applicable provisions of the most relevant national consensus standards.  ASA, along with the Construction Industry…