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www.rockproducts.com ROCK products • March 2018 • 13 IN THE KNOW "Equipment manufacturers welcome the introduction of President Trump's infrastructure proposal," said Asso- ciation of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater. "It should serve as an important starting point for serious debate in Congress, given that an over- whelming majority of Americans wants for Washington to act on infrastructure this year. "The White House plan includes a number of important elements. Equipment manufacturers applaud the One Agency, One Decision initiative to reduce permitting time on projects to 24 months, as well as their request to create designated funds to support rural infrastructure development and transformative infrastructure projects. The industry is also encouraged by the inclusion of a pro- posal to help train our manufacturing and construction workforce in charge of building America's infrastructure. "However, the Trump administration's proposal does not solve our nation's underlying infrastructure issues, including the solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and other programs to support our utility, water and avi- ation infrastructure," Slater concluded. "We hope that Congress will take up and build upon the Trump admin- istration's infrastructure proposal on a bipartisan basis to help America reclaim its infrastructure advantage over our global competitors." "We commend the administration for focusing on the need to reinvest in America's infrastructure," said International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Asso- ciation (IBTTA) executive director and CEO, Patrick D. Jones. "We also applaud the administration's proposal to give states flexibility to toll interstate highways to help rebuild them. While tolling is not appropriate in every circumstance, it is a proven tool that speeds proj- ect delivery and provides a steady stream of funding for future road maintenance and improvements. We look forward to working closely with the administration and Congress on a robust plan to improve America's vital transportation infrastructure." "I commend President Trump for focusing on rebuilding our nation's crumbling infrastructure," said Associated Equipment Distributors President Brian P. McGuire. "The administration's proposal is just the start of the conversation. It's now Congress' responsibility to pass legislation that incorporates many of the principles outlined by the president combined with substantial, sustained investment and new revenue to provide long- term certainty to the construction industry. Americans are craving bipartisan leadership and this will show the country that Washington is serious about rebuilding our infrastructure. It's time to turn words into action for America."