ATSSA Signal March/April 2020

The Signal | March/April 2020 21 Government Relations ATSSA’s advocates take flight Government Relations team travels the nation advocating for roadway safety As ATSSA’s Government Relations teamadvocates for roadway safety infra - structure, it not only works on Capitol Hill but also at the local and state levels, and that means traveling the country to gain insights from members, share information with them, and represent their interests at events. “We are dedicated to equipping all indi - viduals with knowledge to make our roadways safer. The key to action begins with education and we are dedicated to attending and participating in conver - sations to achieve progress,” saidNathan Smith, ATSSA’s vice president of govern - ment relations. During 2019, Smith and former Director of Government Relations DavidBell were on the move with funding for transpor - tation as a major issue and ongoing talking point, Smith said. On the federal level, they are advocating for long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), maintaining funding for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), and ensuring support of the Fixing America’s Surface Trans - portation Act (FAST Act), or other fund - ing solutions such as the America’s Transportation Infrastructure Act (ATIA). On the state and local levels, the team attends chapter meetings and coordi - nates ATSSA Advocacy Days across the country. Over the past year, team members: • Presented to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association on Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and roadway safety; • Attended the Blue Dog political retreat with moderate and conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives; • Presented at the TAPCO (Traffic & Parking Control Co.) Showcase focused on the outlook for funding infrastructure policies at the federal level; • Attended the American Highway Users Alliance annual meeting; • Participated in the National Lieutenant Governors Association winter meeting in Kansas City, Mo.; • Participated in the State Government Affairs Council Leaders Policy Conference in Charleston, S.C.; • Toured ATSSA member companies including Lindsay Corp. in Omaha, Nebr., and K&G Striping in Kansas City, Mo.; • Hosted Vice President Mike Pence and Senate candidate/former Rep. Jason Lewis (R-Minn.) at ATSSA member company Safety Signs in Lakeville, Minn.; • Attended a Federal Communications Commission meeting, which resulted in a ruling that could affect CAV technology and roadway safety; and • Hosted the annual ATSSA congressional holiday reception on Capitol Hill. Department staff members provided transportation legislation updates at Association chapter meetings including: • Carolinas ATSSA Chapter • Chesapeake ATSSA Chapter • Florida ATSSA Chapter • Georgia ATSSA Chapter • Heart of America (HOA) ATSSA Chapter • New York/New Jersey ATSSA Chapter • Pennsylvania ATSSA Chapter • Utah ATSSA Chapter “ATSSAmembersarecritical to theadvance - ment of roadway safety. By building connections and investing in legislation on all levels, our voice becomes stron - ger—essentially saving lives on the roads,” Bell said. Looking ahead In April, ATSSAwill host the annual Legis - lative Briefing & Fly-In. The two-day conference provides ATSSA members an opportunity to meet policymakers, interact with people from both houses of Congress, and hear fromdepartment of transportation officials. “Fly-In has always been a well-received event by attendees. Being able to sit down and discuss roadway safety and transportation with legislators is possi - ble and important for our industry,” Bell said. “We have come a long way on the Hill. Let’s keep going.”  The 2020 event is April 22–23 in Washington, D.C. Details on the event and registration are available at ATSSA.com/Flyin Nathan Smith chosen a “leading lobbyist” ATSSA Vice President of Government Relations Nathan Smith was one of five people recently chosen as a “leading lobbyist” by Association TRENDS. The 2020 awards go to “outstanding executives who help to accomplish their organization’s advocacy and grass - roots initiatives.” Smith oversees ATSSA’s Capitol Hill office where he advocates on roadway safety issues at the federal, state, and grassroots levels. He also serves as trea - surer for the ATSSA Political Action Committee.