To keep up to date with this breakdown of news in theUnited States and Canada, visit www.AggMan.com for daily updates.

California

The California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA) planned to celebrate the state’s geologic heritage at its 2010 Annual Education Conference themed “Our Mineral Heritage: More Relevant than Ever.” Held from Sept. 22-24 in San Diego, the conference highlighted policies that have influenced the promotion and management of the state’s geologic resources. According to CalCIMA, the conference coincided with the 150th anniversary of the California Geological Survey, which maps and identifies the state’s mineral resources, and the 125th anniversary of the State Mining & Geology Board, which develops mineral policy. “We are happy to join with the California Geological Survey, State Mining & Geology Board, and the Office of Mine Reclamation to celebrate their anniversaries,” said Gary Hambly, CalCIMA’s CEO and president. “They are integral to the protection and sustainable utilization of California’s geologic resources.”

Colorado

Sen. Mike Bennet, a close ally of President Obama, announced his opposition to any new spending to try to start job creation. The Washington Post reports that Bennet, who narrowly won a Democratic primary, said that new spending on highways, railways, and airports — done through an infrastructure bank — would be too much spending. “I will not support additional spending in a second stimulus package. Any new transportation initiatives could be funded through the Recovery Act, which still contains unused funds,” he told the newspaper. “Public-private partnerships that improve our infrastructure are a good idea, but must be paid for, should not add a dime to the deficit, and should be covered by unused Recovery Act dollars. We must make hard choices to significantly reduce the deficit.” The Post says that “with endangered Democrats such as Bennet backing away from the infrastructure proposal, its already long chances of passage have grown a bit more problematic.”

Illinois

Caterpillar Inc. urged Congress to work with the Obama administration on an infrastructure bill that would keep U.S. businesses globally competitive, the pjstar.com reports. Noting President Obama’s call for increased investment in the nation’s infrastructure through a multi-year national highway bill and its importance to the nation’s employment base and economy, Cat said bipartisan support should be given to such a bill. “Every week as I talk with our customers around the country, I hear from them that a long-term, multi-year highway bill for the United States is the fastest way to get more construction workers back on job sites,” Cat CEO Doug Oberhelman said in a news release. “In addition, as a nation, we are at risk of falling behind other countries who have made aggressive investments in infrastructure improvements in recent years, putting companies like Caterpillar at a competitive disadvantage.”

Massachusetts

Granby Select Board members continued a public hearing on a proposed gravel pit’s permit application until Oct. 20. According to Gazettenet.com, it is the second time debate on Stone Hill Sand and Gravel’s application has been extended. At the first two meetings on the permit application, Select Board members heard local residents voice concerns about truck traffic, air pollution, and noise pollution. Resident Pamela Mahue presented members with one of two petitions submitted during its Aug. 31 meeting. Signed by 59 residents, it asked for a production limitation of 10,000 cubic yards, 10 percent of the requested production capacity. A second petition, signed by 236 residents, asked that the permit be decided by a vote of the Town Meeting. In addition to extending the public hearing, the Select Board members asked the operator for studies on noise, air quality, and truck traffic from the proposed operation.

Missouri