Paving industry urges Senate to stabilize transportation fund, warns of shrinking program and workforce impacts

Industry representatives testified to the Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 14 that the state's paving program is shrinking and urged the legislature to stabilize the transportation fund and the state match that supports federal dollars.

Nick Sherman of Lehigh Public Affairs, representing the Paving Association of Vermont, told senators the group's top legislative priority is ensuring a stable state match so the paving program can continue. "Do everything you can to stabilize the transportation fund and ensure that there's a state match both this year and going forward," Sherman said, arguing that proposed transfers and program reductions would significantly reduce paving work.

Contractors described a drop in program size and miles. Witnesses said the paving program declined from about $141…