To the ACEC Community,
ACEC’s Government Advocacy Coordinating Committee wrapped up its two day Fall Meeting yesterday, and I want to share a bit of what was discussed, namely during an incisive presentation on the state of the election by Ashlee Stephenson, senior political strategist with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Stephenson began her presentation with the euphemistic statement that our politics “continue to be interesting,” marked by a presidential election that has undergone a seismic shift since President Biden bowed out in July. Today, Stephenson said, the race for the White House is essentially a jump ball. The winner will likely be decided by fewer than 100,000 swing state voters. (Memo to our members in Pennsylvania: if you’ve ever eschewed voting, said that your vote doesn’t count, or it’s not worth it – those sentiments have never been more untrue than they are this year. The road to the White House goes through Pennsylvania. If you don’t believe me, believe the onslaught of political ads dominating the airwaves in the commonwealth.)
The race for control of Congress is just as tight, although most political observers predict Republicans will retake the majority in the Senate. On the House side, the battle for the majority is a coin flip. For both the Senate and the House, the majorities will be narrow for whichever party wins control. The days of double-digit majorities, Stephenson said, are likely over. The political climate is so deeply polarized that wave elections have become more and more mathematically unlikely. Redistricting also has created voting districts drawn with such partisan precision that few truly competitive seats remain.
A major portion of our meeting focused on two major strategic issues that will impact the industry, issues that the next President and the new Congress will decide. One is taxes, as major portions of the 2017 tax law – including provisions that ACEC fought successfully to secure for the industry – will expire in 2025. Extending the law will be expensive, and growing concern over the national debt will pressure lawmakers to find ways to pay for an extension. Everything will be on the table – this debate will impact every ACEC member – and we will need our grassroots army ready to engage.
Infrastructure will be on the table in the next Congress as well, as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will expire in 2026. Infrastructure historically has a good track record of attracting bipartisan support, but the cost of maintaining current spending – let alone increasing the program – is tremendous. AASHTO’s policy director briefed members on their work in developing priorities for a new transportation program, which will likely call for sustainable funding, regulatory and programmatic efficiencies, and harnessing new technologies. ACEC will continue to work closely with them and other stakeholders to find a path forward that continues investment in the nation’s critical infrastructure. Quick reminder that this Friday, September 20, is the early bird deadline to register for ACEC Fall Conference. I hope to see you there!
Have a great week,
Linda Bauer Darr
President & CEO
American Council of Engineering Companies | ACEC
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