Cate’s Corner: Legislative Updates – May 2026
Mickelson & Company Government Affairs Associate Cate Davis holds the gavel at the Mississippi State Capitol building in Jackson, MS.
Legislative Wins
As state capitols quiet down for the year, we want to recognize the significant accomplishments short line railroads achieved during this legislative cycle.
This year brought several major wins for short line railroads. West Virginia and Wisconsin advanced new short line railroad tax credits, and Missouri passed tax credit legislation that is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. We are also especially grateful to Mississippi and Oklahoma for extending their existing programs and continuing their long-standing support for short line infrastructure and economic development. At the same time, we continue advancing additional efforts at both the state and federal levels through thoughtful engagement with policymakers and industry stakeholders.
These successes reflect strong partnerships, consistent advocacy, and the work many of you do every day to highlight how short line railroads support local businesses, jobs, and communities.
Help Us Tell The Story
Real-world success stories remain one of the most effective tools in legislative conversations. As we continue our advocacy efforts, we encourage our clients and partners to share examples of how short line railroads impact your customers, employees, or community. Stories about supporting local industry, creating jobs, or driving economic development help lawmakers connect policy decisions to real outcomes in their districts. Even short examples and local perspectives strengthen meetings, testimony, and policy discussions.
A Quick Thank-You Goes a Long Way
Now is a great time to reach out to your lawmakers and recognize them for their work. Public service is often a thankless job, and simple expressions of gratitude can be some of the most rewarding and motivating parts of holding legislative office.
A short note, email, or phone call helps keep short line railroads top of mind between legislative sessions and strengthens relationships for future advocacy efforts.
When reaching out, consider:
Thanking them for their public service
Sharing a quick example of how short line railroads benefit their district
Encouraging their support for short line rail investment and policy initiatives
Offering yourself as a resource if they have questions or would like to visit a short line
Strong relationships matter at every level of government, and simple outreach like this helps us continue building support for our industry.
For questions or more information, contact Mickelson & Company’s Government Affairs Associate Cate Davis at cate@mickco.com. She can also help you identify who your current lawmakers are.