Legislation

To sum up 2015 in one word, it would be growth. The utility construction industry, as well as involvement in NUCA’s Government Relations, both grew this year. NUCA Members and Partners who attended the 2015 Washington Summit met with more Members of Congress than in any year since the recession.

The first Presidential primaries for the 2016 election happen the first week of February 2016. As has been the case, the Iowa Caucus is the first and will take place Feb. 1, 2016, followed by New Hampshire on Feb. 9, 2016. South Carolina and Nevada will also hold their primaries in February.

From the five years I spent working on Capitol Hill, I can tell you that the August recess is always a welcomed change of pace for Members of Congress and their staffs.

The Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is a mess. What’s worse is that Congress seems pleased with themselves to keep it that way.

In March, NUCA’s Former Chairman, Ron Nunes, testified before the House Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.

There’s no shortage of things to complain about when it comes to the federal government. The dysfunction and partisanship are not the least of the concerns. Polls routinely and consistently indicate a deep seeded disapproval and mistrust of the federal government.

In a slight divergence from my normal Inside Washington column, I’d like to take this month’s column to highlight what I believe is our greatest challenge.