March 30th, 2015 | By: Becky Moylan
“Let’s win this for our country,” proclaimed ASCE President Robert D. Stevens, PhD, PE to a room of nearly 200 ASCE members who descended on the nation’s capital to encourage members of Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund last week.
The group visited Washington, D.C. as part of the 15
th annual ASCE Legislative Fly-In, which offers the opportunity for ASCE members to engage with their elected representatives and senators about the policy issues that impact civil engineers.
The two-day event included briefings on federal legislative issues, including the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) appropriation process and the need for Congress to pass a long-term transportation bill this year. To further the conversation on transportation, attendees were addressed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Under Secretary for Policy, Peter Rogoff on Tuesday evening and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) on Wednesday morning.
USDOT’s Peter Rogoff addresses the group (Photo Credit: David Hathcox)
Rogoff thanked the group for making the journey to Washington to highlight this important issue, remarking “No one is closer to infrastructure than you and your colleagues.” He then outlined the reasons America needs a bolder plan for the future to meet the demands of a growing population. Despite the major maintenance needs in addition to needs to account for future growth, the transportation network is, as Rogoff put it, “starved for funds.”
Rogoff warned that with 32 short-term extensions, local and state leaders tend to stop planning long-term projects, which can take many years of planning and building.
“When you have 32 short term extensions people lose their vision. Why would you plan a project…if you don’t know the federal government will pay its bills eight months hence?” he asked rhetorically.
This is why it is so important to fix the Highway Trust Fund in a way that increases funding: so that we can move beyond the status-quo, and start shaping the future of our transportation network. For example, Rogoff pointed to the Administration’s GROW AMERICA Act, which increases funding for public transit to ensure it can be upgraded to meeting growing demand.
The administration is pushing hard for an increase in investment, because they believe that given the political challenges facing this legislation at the end of it there should at least be positives to show for it.
“It is no victory to maintain current levels of spending,” said Rogoff.
Ultimately, Rogoff had cautious optimism that there could be a multi-year bill passed this year.
“Mayors and governors are starting to sound off this is no way to run this program. You can say it with even more credibility,” he concluded.
Congressman Blumenauer (D-OR) shared an equally compelling message. The $3.6 trillion investment need estimated by ASCE is “within our capacity and … will repay for itself” he said, adding that it would bring down the deficit in the long term.
Blumenauer highlighted many benefits that would result from increasing investment in transportation, including reducing time wasted sitting in traffic, enhancing quality of life for every family, and creating jobs in a range of opportunities. The Congressman earlier this year proposed the
UPDATE Act, HR 680, which would raise the rate of the gas tax by five cents for the next three years then tie it to inflation to address the funding deficit in the Highway Trust Fund. When he introduced the bill, he had 20 co-sponsors and endorsements from many organizations, including ASCE.
He acknowledged that many of his colleagues are wary of repercussions from voting for a tax increase. To help them find the political courage, Blumenauer told the Fly-In attendees to reassure them that there is sufficient political cover.
“Ninety-eight percent of the legislators that voted to increase the gas tax [on the state level] got re-elected in 2014. Make it clear that what ends the career is allowing the country to fall apart if they can’t meet the needs of your community,” said Blumenauer.
As further evidence of the historically bipartisan nature of infrastructure investment, Blumenuaer recounted when President Reagan called on Congress to more than double the gas tax in his 1982 Thanksgiving address. Congress responded by doing so when they returned to Washington after the holiday.
In conclusion, Blumenauer shared that he counts on ASCE for continued support on this issue and to help get a bill passed: “I hope we’ll be at a signing ceremony in the future for a six-year re-authorization.”
Senator Susan Collins meets with her ASCE constituents from Maine. (Photo credit: David Hathcox)
The 200 ASCE members in attendance then headed to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffs of 46 states and the District of Columbia.
Following the meetings, the group reconvened at a reception in the U.S. Capitol Cannon Caucus Room featuring a
Dream Big!: Engineering Wonders of the World theme in anticipation of the ASCE-sponsored IMAX film coming out next year. ASCE members and Congressional staffers were able to continue their conversations from the afternoon while networking and having some fun taking photos in front of a green screen photo booth, which then transformed the background into iconic infrastructure backdrops.
During the proceedings, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) were both presented with awards naming them Honorary Fellows of the Society.
Sen. Boxer was selected in honor of her more than 30 years of public service, which includes 24 in the U.S. Senate. As Chairwoman of the Environmental and Public Works Committee, she led the effort to enact the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21).
Rep. Bill Shuster earned ASCE’s recognition for his efforts as an eight-term member of the House of Representatives. As Chairman of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, he helped shepherd the passage of MAP-21 and steered the effort to enact WRRDA.
Including last week’s inductees, there have only been 38 Honorary Fellows named by the Society.
Also recognized during the Fly-In were the winners of the inaugural Outstanding Civil Engineer Advocate of the Year awards, recognizing an individual and group who went above and beyond in advocating for ASCE’s issues in the past year.
This year’s winners were Darren Benoit of New Hampshire and the Louisiana Section.
The two days encapsulated the resolve the American Society of Civil Engineers has to encourage Congress to fix the Highway Trust Fund with a long-term, sustainable solution. To contribute in this effort,
sign up to be a Key Contact today.
Tags: advocacy, fly-in, highway trust fund
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February 28th, 2015 | By: Becky Moylan
For the first time, ASCE is formally recognizing an individual member and a team who are dedicated to saving America’s infrastructure and promoting ASCE’s
Priority Issues through building relationships with lawmakers. The
Outstanding Civil Engineer Advocate of the Year Award winners, Darren Benoit and the Louisiana Section, will be recognized for their achievements at ASCE’s
Legislative Fly-In, an annual two-day event where ASCE members promote the civil engineering profession to their state’s U.S. Congressional representatives.
Darren Benoit, of New Hampshire, has advocated on surface transportation, dam safety, and other issues at both the state and federal levels. Among his most notable accomplishments in years of building relationships with lawmakers and educating the public, Darren testified in front of the New Hampshire state legislature about the need for an increased investment in transportation funding. Last year, New Hampshire’s representatives and senators responded by raising the state’s fuel tax for the first time in two decades. In 2011, he led the New Hampshire Section of ASCE in its release of the
Report Card for New Hampshire’s Infrastructure and has again taken the lead on updating the report.
The
Louisiana Section of ASCE began its advocacy efforts for better infrastructure throughout the state with the release of the
2012 Report Card for Louisiana’s Infrastructure. To follow up on the efforts of the Report Card, which gave the state’s infrastructure a GPA of “C-,” the Section joined forces with other like-minded groups to hold the first-ever Infrastructure Awareness Day at the state capitol. The event included a luncheon with lawmakers to discuss the importance of infrastructure and the need for increased investment. Four days later, state Sen. Robert Adley testified on his proposal to better fund transportation. Similarly, state Rep. Karen St. Germain has since proposed legislation that would transfer vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation, boosting investment by more than $400 million a year.
Darren and the
Louisiana Section, along with all our Key Contacts, represent ASCE’s Priority Issues to America’s lawmakers. Congratulations to Darren and the Louisiana Section for being our inaugural
award winners. Keep up the great work!
Tags: advocacy, advocacy profile, Advocate, advocate profile
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October 7th, 2014 | By: America's Infrastructure Report Card
Have you gone above and beyond to represent the civil engineering profession before your elected officials? You could be our next
Outstanding Civil Engineer Advocate of the Year! If you are one of the many
ASCE Key Contacts actively building relationships with and educating your elected leaders on issues important to the civil engineering profession, we would like to recognize your efforts.
- Nominate an individual (including yourself!)
- Nominate a group (such as a Section, Branch, or Younger Member Group)
Details and nomination forms are available from the ASCE website.
Nomination submission deadline is October 17, 2014.
This will be the first time we have honored an outstanding advocate within the ASCE membership. So why now? The civil engineering profession is profoundly affected by decisions made by Congress and by state legislatures. If individual civil engineers don’t work to inform their elected officials about issues so they can make informed decisions, then our world suffers: bureaucracy becomes more complicated, bad programs are continued, good programs go under-funded.
Many ASCE members are already out there talking to legislators and advocating for issues such as
investing in infrastructure,
building sustainably, and
raising the bar for the profession. If this describes you, someone you know, or even your Section, Branch or other ASCE group, submit a nomination–submissions accepted through October 17, 2014. Winners will receive recognition at the annual ASCE Legislative Fly-In, March 24-26, 2015 in Washington, DC.
Questions? Contact ASCE Government Relations
via email or call 202-789-7850.
Tags: advocacy
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August 27th, 2014 | By: Becky Moylan
Peter S. Merfeld, P.E., M.ASCE is a member of the Maine Section. He has exhibited leadership experience as section president, Maine Report Card chair, and through work on the national Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. He is also a Board member of IBTTA (International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association). These roles led him to become an advocate for infrastructure investment on the state and federal levels, an issue that is particularly important currently as the federal Highway Trust Fund heads toward insolvency.
As the chief operations officer at the Maine Turnpike Authority, Peter offers day-to-day operational guidance to the Highway & Equipment Maintenance, Engineering & Building Maintenance, and Public Safety departments. He also prepares, plans and oversees the annual Maintenance and Capital Program budget. His role requires him to work closely with the Maine DOT to ensure inter-agency communication and coordination, and review Turnpike policy needs and changes.
If you are interested in becoming involved in ASCE’s Key Contact program and promoting the profession through advocacy, you can learn more information and sign up at asce.org.
How did you become interested in and get involved in advocacy for your profession?
In 2006 as President of the Maine Section, fellow ASCE member and Past-President Phil Dunn gave a report that Michael Michaud, Maine Congressman from the 2
nd district had asked Phil “Where is the Maine Report Card?” while he was attending the Fly-In.
The Report Card on America’s Infrastructure was seen as a credible tool in providing policy makers with facts about the status of our roads, bridges, and other important infrastructure. After talking with others in Maine section ASCE leadership, it was agreed that having a Maine Report Card could be a great tool for Maine civil engineers to engage our policy makers in a conversation about infrastructure funding. An area that we, as a Section, had not done a great job up to that point. The local Report Card though would be a major undertaking. Due to overwhelming support from the section, I made the easy decision that once I completed my tour as Past-President, in fall 2007 I would take on the role of chair of the committee that would develop and create a Report Card for Maine’s Infrastructure.
Peter Merfeld (right) and Maine Speaker of the House and former Senate President Elizabeth Mitchell at 2008 release of the Report Card for Maine’s Infrastructure
In December 2008 we held a well-attended media event to introduce the Report Card and the reaction was very positive and supportive. Many legislators took an interest and began to use the Report Card to support their positions. I was happy in March 2009 to bring that Report Card to Washington, DC and represent my profession with facts and appropriate policy recommendations to assure safe and reliable infrastructure. In 2012 we were able to update the Report Card for Maine and continue to provide credible evidence as to the condition of our infrastructure. I joined the Committee for America’s Infrastructure in 2009 and have enjoyed sharing Report Card updates and other major policy initiatives as part of the Fly-Ins over the past several years.
What issues have you highlighted/focused on when communicating with your legislators?
Utilizing the
Report Card for America’s Infrastructure on the national level and the Maine Report Card as a tool for the state level, ASCE has been instrumental in bringing civil engineers to the forefront as experts in defining the problem with infrastructure, especially transportation. As a Board member for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA), I also represent the tolling industry, which advocates for sustainable transportation funding, especially for highways and bridges. As such, the top priority has been sustainable transportation funding.
Maine delegation in 2014 with Peter Merfeld presenting the 2013 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure app to Senator Susan Collins (Maine) staff member John Kane.
I have advocated on both the
state and federal levels, because of the information from the Report Cards, and the committees which I serve on representing those jurisdictions.
How do you gather information and prepare to do your advocacy work?
ASCE Fly-Ins offer a great deal of training and support for any advocacy in Washington, DC. Locally, the ASCE Section Board as well as assistance from local experts and transportation advocates provide input and direction. During the Legislative session, I
monitor legislative documents and potential legislation for possible areas of concern and highlight to the section board for review. As a former Board Director for AGCMaine, and a member of the Maine Better Transportation Association I am included in their distribution lists for legislative outreach or major policy initiatives that may interest other civil engineers.
In addition, my current boss, Peter Mills, was a state senator for over 20 years and is well versed in the activities of State Legislature. I use him as a sounding board when ever I can. Typically I would participate in discussion about issues where the ASCE Maine Section Board should take a position and if requested I assist in writing the testimony for the public hearing. In February 2014, for example, I became aware of a public information meeting by the MaineDOT and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredging in Searsport harbor. Due to the importance of this harbor as part of Maine’s 3 port strategy, I wrote a letter in support of the project and engaged the Maine Section.
What have you learned through your activities as an ASCE advocate and citizen lobbyist?
Most of all, that infrastructure is taken for granted. The general public trusts that professional civil engineers know what needs to be done and will do it. The issue usually revolves around policy and funding. Unless more people who use and support safe, reliable, sustainable infrastructure get involved, get educated on the issues and are vocal, policy makers will not act with expediency to solve the long-term crisis.
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (Maine) speaks with ASCE representatives from Maine in March 2012: Greg Blake, Peter Merfeld, Jason Gallant and Walter Fagerlund.
Absolutely. As an engineer I enjoy a challenge and trying to fix a problem. Once the problem is identified, in order to get funding and support, a convincing argument must be made for why the problem needs to be fixed and how it will get fixed. Researching your audience, making credible and concise arguments, and ultimately making a convincing case within a limited timeframe are important tools for all future leaders, regardless of the topic.
The challenge is finding an audience willing to listen. On occasion there seems to be disinterest as our issues seem small in comparison to other issues facing policy makers at the moment. Again, there is a great deal of complacency regarding infrastructure and short-term maintenance always seems to be the answer given. Putting the issues into terms that your audience can understand and utilize is critical. This ensures they can, in turn, convince someone else it is important. Whether it be jobs for constituents, saving lives or long-term reduction in consumption of fossil fuels, the terms used need to resonate.
Have you felt that your efforts have made a difference? How?
I know the Report Cards are making a difference. The media attention alone has helped push the issue and will over time increase involvement of the general public. Policy makers can see an increase in grades or decrease and can judge if their actions are working in short-term or if more work needs to be done.
What advice would you give to someone interested in getting involved in advocacy?
Talk to members of the leadership team in your section. Talk to the people at your organization who are involved in advocacy to get insight. Start small with issues you are passionate about, involve other people and most important get to know your legislators. They would love to hear from an EXPERT!
Tags: advocacy, advocacy profile, Maine
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Have you gone above and beyond to represent the civil engineering profession before your elected officials? You could be our next Outstanding Civil Engineer Advocate of the Year! If you are one of the many ASCE Key Contacts actively building relationships with and educating your elected leaders on issues important to the civil engineering profession, we would like to recognize your efforts.
