NATSO and Partnership Warn Arizona of Dangers of Rest Area
Commercialization
from NATSO News Weekly
NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings
told Arizona Director of Transportation John Halikowski that adding
commercial services to rest areas would allow states to monopolize
Interstate business, hurting established commercial enterprises
operating at the Interstate exits and their employees.
During an interview Friday on Arizona Public Radio, Mullings said
Congress has time and again upheld the Federal ban on commercialization
because it makes sense from a public policy standpoint. "I'm not denying
that states need creative solutions to their budget problems," Mullings
said. "But this solution will do more damage than good."
Mullings rebutted claims that local enterprises would benefit from the
opportunity to bid on state rest area concession contracts, saying
historically only large international corporations have
won such contracts and that owners of exit-based businesses would
not abandon their investments to become a tenant in a state-run
enterprise.
The Partnership to Save Highway Communities also warned Arizona Gov.
Janice Brewer that adding commercial services to state-run rest areas
threatens Arizona jobs and will cripple critical public services like
schools, fire and police departments. In a letter, the Coalition warned
Gov. Brewer that adding fuel, food and other retail services to the
Interstate right-of-way will radically alter the competitive landscape,
devastating nearby businesses and communities by granting the state
direct access to highway motorists.
The Coalition to Save Highway Communities encouraged Gov. Brewer to
seek alternative solutions to solving any budgetary crisis caused by the
recession, including innovative ideas that allow the state to partner
with businesses to help meet the safety needs of the travelling public
without threatening the livelihood of thousands of people.
