IN THIS ISSUE

Looking Toward the Future

In the past few months, there was a lot of focus and attention on the November election. As I mentioned last month in this space, although the race for President certainly took up most of our attention, there were several other federal and state offices on the ballot. But regardless of the changes at the federal and state level, UCANE will focus on what’s important: making sure our industry is healthy.

While contractors work to complete jobs continue to hinder the health and economic wellbefore the end of the year, UCANE is being of our citizens. The CWCC will continue to looking forward, and continues to work push for the passage of these bills. to assure that jobs will be put out to bid next year The need for funding is certainly evident in and for years to come. Letting our elected officials Massachusetts. MassDEP recently solicited apand leaders know about what we do, and the im- plications from municipalities and authorities portance of having access to clean drinking water, to receive SRF funding for water infrastructure the safe disposal of wastewater, and our under- projects, and the response level was very high. ground utility infrastructure in general is a large part This shows that DPW directors and town officials of UCANE’s core mission. Right now, our focus is recognize the importance of these projects and at the federal level where we continue to advocate that they need to move forward. However, as is for agreement on a stimulus bill that will help cities always the case, the issue is funding. Without and towns deal with the economic impact that the increased funding and incentives, these applicapandemic continues to have on municipal budgets. tions will stay exactly that: applications. Projects

As has been said many times before, the will not proceed and the cost to get the work done pandemic has highlighted the importance of wa- will only increase. UCANE continues to speak ter and our underground infrastructure. UCANE with legislators from all across the state to advoworks closely with the Clean Water Construc- cate for funding and to make sure drinking water, tion Coalition (CWCC), a group of 30 associa- wastewater, and underground utility projects are tions from across the country representing over a priority, and to advocate on behalf of contrac11,000 firms. The states represented in the Co- tors. We also work with Mass. Highway Assoalition account for about 75 percent of the total ciation and local officials to try and find ways to annual funding for the Clean Water and Drinking make it easier for municipalities to approve projWater State Revolving Fund programs national- ects. Solutions will only be found if federal, state, ly. The CWCC is strongly advocating for not only and local officials all work together. a stimulus bill but also for a comprehensive infra- I’m sure that I am not alone when I say structure bill. While there is bipartisan agreement that I am looking forward to 2020 being over. that both of these bills are important, Congress But in order for 2021 and the years ahead has yet to come to an agreement. These mea- to be prosperous ones, planning and action sures are far too critical to have partisan politics needs to happen now. n