Government Affairs Updates | October 2024

OAAA & IBO 

Andy McDonald attended the fall meeting of the Independent Billboard Operators (IBO) in Ft. Worth, TX. Andy spoke to attendees about legislative and regulatory issues of importance to the industry. OAAA appreciates the opportunity to participate in the IBO conferences and values our strong relationship with the IBO.

State Associations

The OAAA Government Affairs team participated in several more state outdoor advertising association meetings this month, speaking to attendees on our collective state and federal government affairs efforts. Andy McDonald and Mike Hershey participated in the annual meetings of the California, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina state associations. 

Non-Compete Rule 

In August, a Texas federal district court set aside, with “nationwide effect”, a federal rule to ban workplace non-compete agreements. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently appealed that decision to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. The FTC ban was to become effective on September 4, until halted by the district court action.

NC Roadways

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) allocated $100M to North Carolina as the state continues its recovery from Hurricane Helene. Towns in western North Carolina were hit particularly hard, and the North Carolina DOT has now re-opened over 800 roadways there, with over 450 still closed due to storm damage.

U.S. DOT

The U.S Dept. of Transportation announced funding awards across various segments of the transportation industry – $970M for 125 projects under the Airport Terminal Program; $4.2B for 44 major highway and bridge interchange projects; and $635M for 22 small-to-medium bridge rehabilitation projects.