The Latest Industry News
NATSO, Barjan Join Together to Bring Value to The NATSO
Show 2009; Announce Gretchen Wilson to Perform Opening Night Private
Concert
10.28.08
ALEXANDRIA, VA — NATSO, the only trade association dedicated to
the $65 billion truckstop and travel plaza industry, and Barjan LLC, one
of North America’s leading industry suppliers, are pleased to
announce they’ve joined together to bring even more value and
networking opportunities to The NATSO Show 2009 in Nashville, Tenn.,
Jan. 24-28.
Barjan President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Sciandra, said,
“We’re pleased to announce we are combining our Barjan
Buying Bonanza with The NATSO Show 2009 to give truckstop operators even
more discounts and unbeatable networking opportunities in one convenient
location. As the leading distributor of general merchandise to the
travel plaza industry, we want to help our customers maximize their
profits.”
Show attendees can take advantage of the Barjan specials. In addition
to the Barjan fourth quarter offerings, over 200 industry suppliers will
exhibit at The NATSO Show, displaying their products, answering
questions and providing valuable insights. Many will also offer deep
discounts only available during the show.
Barjan has also announced that it will sponsor an opening night
private concert featuring award-winning singer Gretchen Wilson on Jan.
25. NATSO President and CEO Lisa
Mullings said, “The networking opportunities at
The NATSO Show are unbeatable. We provide countless opportunities for
truckstop operators to connect with their peers and industry suppliers.
We are excited Barjan has made Gretchen Wilson’s performance
possible.”
Wilson is a multi-talented
singer-songwriter who's scored three No. 1 country albums and her smash
hit "Redneck Woman" spent five weeks at No. 1. She's also won
across-the-board awards including a Grammy and ACM, CMA and AMA nods for
best female vocalist. She even authored a New York Times bestseller.
Wilson has been featured on “60
Minutes,” “Dateline NBC,” “20/20
Primetime” and virtually every morning, noon and late-night
television show on the air. Her magazine covers and major newspaper
feature stories could paper an entire wall.
Wilson is busy writing and recording
songs for her next album, “I Got Your Country Right Here,”
due out in 2009. She’ll be performing her hits plus songs
from her upcoming CD at the opening night private concert, so attendees
won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see and
experience Gretchen Wilson live and up close!
Mullings said, “All truckstop and travel plaza operators are
invited to attend the show and pack a year’s worth of business
into just a few days. Not only that, Tennessee is within a day's drive
of 65 percent of the U.S. population, so this is the perfect time for
travel plaza operators to take advantage of exclusive savings and
network with their peers and suppliers.” Learn more at www.natso.com.
Energy Expert and Former Shell President John
Hofmeister to Speak at The NATSO Show
10.2.08
Today NATSO, the only
trade association dedicated to the $65 billion truckstop and travel
plaza industry, announced that John Hofmeister, former president of
Shell Oil Co. and the founder and head of Citizens for Affordable
Energy, will be a featured speaker at The NATSO Show 2009 in
Nashville, Tenn., Jan.
24-28.
NATSO leverages 50 years
of powerful relationships with key individuals, associations and
partners in Washington, D.C. to provide
its members with the latest information that affects the industry both
today and tomorrow.
Hofmeister will rely on his 30
years of experience and share his expertise with truckstop and travel
plaza owners and operators in his keynote speech, “The Dilemmas of
Energy Retailing.”
Retailers, consumers and
politicians are all concerned about the current energy situation in
the United
States.
Hofmeister isn’t just watching from the sidelines. He is seeking
solutions. During his time at Shell, he launched an unprecedented
18-month, 50-city tour across the country and met with more than 15,000
business, community and civic organizations.
Upon retirement from Shell,
Hofmeister founded the public policy advocacy firm Citizens for
Affordable Energy that promotes sound energy security solutions for the
nation, including a range of affordable energy supplies, efficiency
improvements, essential infrastructure, sustainable environmental policy
and public education on energy issues.
In an interview with
NATSO’s Stop
Watch magazine, Hofmeister called on Congress
to develop both a short- and a long-term energy plan. He said, “I
think we must drill more of our own natural resources, which are
currently off limits, in order to slow down if not stop this incredible
transfer of American wealth.”
In addition to drilling,
Hofmeister recommends energy supplies come from every possible source
— from hydrocarbons to biofuels. Many alternative sources mean new
infrastructure for retailers. Hofmeister recognizes it is difficult for
retailers to invest heavily in new technology prior to customer demand.
“I’m a strong advocate of an energy plan for the country
that states what the infrastructure requirements are going to be and
then puts in place the appropriate incentives, which will increase the
demand,” Hofmeister told Stop Watch.
Hofmeister will be speaking
during The NATSO’s Show’s Opening General Session on Jan.
25. The NATSO Show brings innovative solutions to truckstop and travel
plazas’ immediate business challenges and gives insights into
coming trends. Learn more at www.natso.com.
NATSO Announces Staffing Changes
8.22.08
Alexandria, Va.– NATSO President and Chief Executive Officer Lisa J.
Mullings announced several changes to the government affairs and
communications departments at NATSO, the national trade association
representing truckstops and travel plazas.
“We have significant energy and transportation
legislative issues facing us, which demand public policy refinement, in
addition to the growth of our public relations activities,”
Mullings said.
Christine K. Schoessler was appointed vice president
of communications and marketing. Schoessler joined NATSO in 2005, where
she has served as director of meetings and special projects. Schoessler
moves into the new position with prior communications and investor
relations experience for global energy firm AES. In addition, Schoessler has extensive experience developing
public outreach strategies and conducting government relations for an
international financial institution affiliated with the United
Nations. She also served as an aide to
Republican Senator Richard Shelby.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone with
Christine’s experience and skills, and I am grateful that she has
agreed to step into this critical role,” Mullings
said.
Schoessler’s move was prompted by the departure
of Vice President of Public Affairs Mindy R. Long, who will leave the
association on Aug. 28. Long will continue to contribute to
NATSO’s member magazine, Stop Watch, and pursue additional freelance communications work within the
industry. Long made the move in order to have more flexibility and time
to spend with her young son.
Amy McMahon joined NATSO as public affairs manager and
will be involved in the association’s legislative and regulatory
agenda as well as contributing to the association’s marketing
agenda. McMahon was previously an editorial assistant for Transport
Topics Publishing Group.
Mandi Oliver will stay onboard at NATSO as the public
affairs assistant. She will continue to oversee NATSO’s Web site,
publish the weekly newsletter and write for Stop Watch.
She will also take on additional responsibilities in the government
affairs department, including providing support for NATSO’s annual
Day on the Hill.
Mullings said, “This reorganization reflects the
growing interdependency of our communications and government affairs
agenda as well as the change within our industry this
year.”
DOT’s Commercialization Proposal Would Suffocate Existing
Interstate Businesses, NATSO Says
7.30.08
Alexandria,
VA – The Bush
administration’s recent proposal to commercialize rest areas in 10
states would devastate highway-based businesses, such as travel centers,
truckstops, restaurants, gasoline stations, convenience stores and
lodging establishments, says NATSO, the nonprofit organization
representing America’s travel plaza and truckstop industry.
The Department of
Transportation released its proposal this week for reforming federal
surface transportation programs, ahead of next year’s scheduled
reauthorization of the 2005 highway funding bill. If passed, the
proposal would suffocate existing interstate businesses in favor of just
one business hand-picked by the state.
"It is astonishing that the
administration continues to back a proposal that would have such
detrimental effects on drivers, highway-based businesses and local
communities," said Lisa Mullings, President and CEO of NATSO.
This proposal threatens
many interstate-based businesses that depend on the free movement of
interstate traffic, not to mention their employees and the local
governments which need taxes generated from these businesses. The reason
is simple and undeniable: it is virtually impossible for a business at
the interchange to compete with a state-sanctioned business located
directly on the shoulder of the road.
Rest area
commercialization will not result in the sale of additional hamburgers
or gallons of fuel sold. “It will merely shift the point of
sale away from America’s rural communities where businesses have been
established over the last 50 years, to the one new entity able to
achieve market dominance overnight by virtue of their convenient
location on the shoulder of the highway,” Mullings
said.
In its proposal, the DOT
acknowledges that current law prohibits commercialization because it
would give an “unfair advantage to the businesses located directly
on the interstate over those that are located at an exit off the
interstate.” However, the administration has disregarded the
devastating effects that unfair advantage would have on communities and
instead focused on the quick capital the projects could generate for the
state.
While the state might make more
money, the tax base of local governments would shrink. By 2010,
interchange businesses will contribute an estimated $1.8 billion-plus in
property taxes to local governments annually, funds that are used for
education and police and fire protection.
Under the guise of improving
public safety, the proposal would direct participating states to
incorporate improvements and expansion of truck parking facilities at
the newly privatized rest areas. However, commercialization would
actually reduce the overall number of spaces available for heavy
trucks.
Mullings said,
“Truckstops and travel plazas provide 90 percent of this
nation’s truck parking. There is no doubt that we will see a
severe truck parking shortage if these businesses are forced to close
their doors.”
In addition to promoting
commercialization, the DOT proposal strongly supports the use of tolling
and congestion pricing by state governments to fund highway programs,
which NATSO also opposes. “Tolls represent a system of double
taxation for the commercial trucking industry, which already pays 40
percent of all highway user fees,” Mullings said. In addition,
tolls divert traffic onto secondary roads that are not equipped to
handle this traffic, resulting in higher accident rates and damage to
these secondary roads.
“By the year 2010, small
business owners who provide services to highway users along the
interstate are expected to employ over two million Americans and
generate nearly $200 billion in sales annually. We want to ensure the
interests of business owners along the highways are taken into
consideration,” Mullings said.
Over 70,000 businesses
have sprung up at interchanges across America,
and NATSO will continue its ongoing fight against commercialization to
ensure those businesses are able to continue serving their communities
and the nation’s drivers.
Truckstop and Travel Plaza Owners to Descend on Capitol
Hill
4.16.08
Alexandria,
Va. – During
NATSO’s annual NATSO Day on Capitol Hill event on April 28 and 29,
truckstop and travel plaza operators from across the nation will convene
to speak with Members of Congress about critical issues facing the
industry. NATSO, the association representing travel plazas and
truckstops, will have over 50 travel plaza, truckstop and allied
industry representatives meeting face-to-face with lawmakers and their
staffs in more than 150 congressional offices.
Tim Lynch, senior vice president of Federation Relations and
Strategic Planning at American Trucking Associations, will speak to
members during a lunch on April 28 about the same highway issues
affecting the trucking industry that brought NATSO members to Capitol
Hill.
The infamous Congressional Pie Reception on April 29 will conclude
the event. While enjoying homemade pies prepared at three of the
nation’s truckstops, NATSO members will get the opportunity to
mingle with Members of Congress and their staff.
During their office visits on April 29, NATSO members will address
the following issues:
Tolling and Privatization Hurts Drivers and Businesses
With the Highway Trust Fund predicted to spend more in 2009 than it
receives from federal motor fuel taxes, both Congress and the White
House are seeking measures to strengthen and increase trust fund
revenues. Many states are seeking alternative sources of revenue to
finance highway construction and maintenance projects, including placing
tolls on existing free interstates and enhancing the role of
public-private partnerships (PPPs). In these arrangements, state
governments contract with private equity companies to construct,
maintain or manage a road. In turn, the PPP tolls the road to recoup the
investment and benefit shareholders. Tolls equal double taxation for
both the traveling public and the commercial trucking
industry.
Tolling and the resulting traffic diversion also create a safety
issue. To avoid paying tolls, drivers will utilize secondary roads that
weren’t built to handle large volumes of traffic. Travel centers,
truckstops, restaurants, gasoline stations, convenience stores and
lodging establishments have invested millions to build facilities and
depend on the movement of traffic. Businesses that cater to the highway
traveler play a vital role in supporting our communities by providing
jobs and tax revenue. NATSO members will be asking their elected
officials to oppose the tolling and privatization of our nation’s
highways.
Unproven ATC Mandates Will Raise Fuel Prices
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) has introduced S. 1997,
‘‘Future Accountability in Retail Fuel Act’’ or
the ‘‘FAIR Fuel Act,” which would mandate that fuel
retailers install automatic temperature compensation (ATC) equipment on
their fuel dispensers within five years. In March Sen. McCaskill
requested that the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and
Transportation schedule a hearing on it. During office visits, members
will advise legislators that any action to mandate ATC is premature and
ask them to delay any action on this legislation until third-party
studies examine the economic and scientific effects of ATC. There is no
proven need for ATC and the equipment could cost the retail fueling
industry about $4 billion. Those costs would have to be passed on to
fuel consumers, with little proven or demonstrated benefit to them.
Rising Credit Card Fees Hurt Retailers and Consumers
NATSO members will be asking Congress to restore fairness to the credit
card fee negotiating process by supporting and co-sponsoring H.R. 5546,
The Credit Card Fair Fee Act, or the related Senate bill when it is
introduced. The legislation provides a transparent, open market solution
to the ongoing problem of interchange fees, and simply provides
merchants with the proper leverage to negotiate fair fees that
accurately reflect the real cost of a credit card transaction. Retailers
across the country, including truckstops and travel plazas, are facing
tremendous financial pressure as a result of the interchange fees they
must pay when a customer uses a credit card during a transaction. As the
price of fuel and other consumer goods continues to rise, travel plazas
across the country are feeling the pressure these fees exert on a
company’s bottom line.
Congress Must Close “Splash and Dash” Loophole
NATSO is calling on Congress to close a loophole that is costing U.S.
taxpayers millions of dollars and allowing the U.S. to subsidize fuel
prices in other countries. NATSO strongly encourages Congress to close
the so called “splash and dash” loophole that allows
producers of biodiesel to receive a U.S.
government tax credit for biodiesel sold abroad.
The current law loophole allows biodiesel blenders and producers to
claim renewable fuels tax payments by adding a small amount of diesel (1
percent) to biodiesel to create a B-99 mixture. The producer or
blender is then eligible to receive a $1 per gallon renewable fuels tax
credit from the U.S. Many then export the
biodiesel mixture overseas, where some European governments also offer
alternative fuel credits. The lucrative U.S. tax credit has attracted
barges of biodiesel from foreign countries including Brazil and
Malaysia, who stop here just long enough to blend the biodiesel with a
token amount of diesel, claim the U.S. tax payment and move on to
Europe—receiving a large payment from the U.S. for biodiesel that
was neither produced nor consumed in the U.S.
NATSO members will ask Congress to support the "Splash and Dash
Correction Act of 2008", H.R. 5713, introduced by Rep. John Shadegg
(R-Ariz.) as well as provisions in the House-passed energy tax
legislation, H.R. 5351.
Consumer Fuel Prices Driven by Record-Setting Crude Oil
Prices
Consumers and retailers alike have been increasingly frustrated with
record-breaking prices for gasoline and diesel fuel. Drivers feel the
pinch in their pocketbook, but retailers are also being squeezed by
prices that rise much more quickly than the credit lines extended by
their suppliers.
There’s no question that the main driver of high fuel prices is
the sky rocketing price of crude oil. Normally, crude oil prices are
determined by global factors, including supply and demand, OPEC,
international tensions and other dynamics. However there is another
dynamic driving crude oil prices—excessive speculation by
commodities traders. Trading on oil contracts takes place predominately
on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) with over $1.5 trillion
traded daily. However, a growing number of trades (over one million
contracts daily) are being made on “over the counter (OTC)”
or electronic exchanges such as the International Commodity Exchange
(ICE).
OTC exchanges are not subjected to the same record keeping
requirements by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) as
physical exchanges (such as NYMEX). Because of this lack of oversight,
the opportunity for market manipulation (leading to further price
volatility) is high. NATSO members will ask Congress to approve adequate
funding for CFTC oversight. Contract trading volume has sky-rocketed in
recent years. Increased funding will be needed to ensure that the
commission can hire more staff, update its equipment and begin to more
adequately oversee the diverse and rapidly growing commodity
exchanges.
NATSO Names Stephen Beaulieu Director, Government Affairs
2.11.08
NATSO President and Chief Executive
Officer Lisa J. Mullings is pleased to announce the addition of Stephen Beaulieu as the association’s director of
government affairs. Beaulieu is responsible for
representing NATSO before Congress and federal agencies on a range of
issues affecting NATSO members, including surface transportation, energy
and federal tax policies.
“We are extremely fortunate to
have added someone with extensive transportation experience to our
team,” Mullings said. “Stephen has worked on transportation
issues for several years and we are confident that he will be able to
carry our message to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.”
Prior to joining NATSO, Beaulieu was
the manager of legislative affairs with the National Air Transportation
Association. He also has professional experience on Capitol Hill, with
the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure and the committee’s Subcommittee on Aviation. He is
a 2001 graduate of the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill and is currently pursuing his
MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough
School of Business.
Mullings went on to say that the
addition of Beaulieu will assist the association in implementing
NATSO’s long-term plan that includes a strong focus on government
affairs, with a particular focus on both fuel- and
transportation-related issues.
NATSO Vice President of
Government Affairs Holly
Alfano said, “I look forward to working closely with Stephen and
tapping into his experience as we fulfill NATSO’s mission of
advancing the success of truckstops and travel plazas.”
NATSO Commends Commission for Tackling Difficult Funding Issues;
Urges Congress to Consider the Interests of Highway-Based
Businesses
1.16.08
Today NATSO commended the National Surface
Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission for its latest report
that states major investments are needed to maintain and improve the
nation’s transportation infrastructure.
“We appreciate that the commission has taken a
long, hard look at transportation funding. This is a complex topic that
deserves a thorough review. Everyone benefits from a national highway
system. Since goods are delivered by truck, roads fuel the
nation’s economy,” NATSO President and Chief Executive
Officer Lisa
Mullings said. “As
Americans we should recognize the importance of transportation on
mobility, commerce and even national security.”
The commission’s report recommended that
Congress remove barriers to tolling for new capacity, but did not
suggest tolls for existing interstates. “NATSO applauds the
Commission’s rejection of tolls on existing roadways. While many
may see tolling as an alternative to increasing taxes, Americans need to
realize that tolls are taxes,” Mullings said. “Not only that, tolls equal
double taxation for both the traveling public and the commercial
trucking industry because they end up paying for a road twice, once at
the pump with the fuel tax and again at the toll booth. In addition,
tolls increase accident rates by diverting traffic onto secondary roads
that are not equipped to handle this additional
volume.”
NATSO was concerned over the report’s reference
to public-private partnerships, which would grant a monopoly power to
private firms. Such partnerships could be detrimental to highway-based
businesses. “By the year 2010, small business owners who provide
services to highway users along the Interstate are expected to employ
over two million Americans and generate nearly $200 billion in sales
annually. We want to ensure the interests of business owners along the
highways are taken into consideration,” Mullings said.
She continued, “We who represent those in the
highway-based service industry are perplexed when advocates of long-term
leases of our nation’s assets call their proposals
‘privatization,’ because their plan would suffocate existing
Interstate businesses in favor of just one business hand-picked by the
state. It would be more accurate to label these deals
‘monopolization,’ not privatization.”
Travel centers, truckstops, restaurants, gasoline
stations, convenience stores and lodging establishments have invested
millions to build facilities and depend on the movement of traffic.
Businesses that cater to the highway traveler play a vital role in
supporting our communities by providing jobs and tax revenue.
NATSO strongly supports government investment in fuel
tax evasion countermeasures and enforcement. NATSO encourages
legislative changes that would close legal loopholes that result in less
revenue for the nation’s public roads, such as the fuel tax
exemption for local, state and federal government vehicles and tax
evasion by non-Native Americans who purchase tax-free fuel on Native
American reservations from tribal retailers.
All North American Truck Stop Network Members Join
NATSO
1.3.08
NATSO, the trade association representing truckstops and travel
plazas, and the North American Truck Stop Network (NATSN) have joined
together to provide NATSO membership to all NATSN members at a reduced
rate.
NATSN is nationwide network of independently owned truckstops and
currently has 95 independent truckstop members.
“We saw this as great opportunity to strengthen the voice of
independent truckstop operators and NATSO on Capitol Hill and in the
marketplace. Through NATSO’s work, we can promote the industry and
protect the interests of truckstop operators nationwide,” NATSN
Chief Executive Officer Marsha Bird said.
NATSO’s top issues for 2008 will revolve around credit card
fees, tolling, highway funding and rest area commercialization. NATSO
CEO Lisa Mullings said,
“We are excited to add to our membership base and to work on
behalf of all NATSN members. To achieve great things, there must be a
common vision and a unifying purpose. When we are unified, we speak with
a louder voice and we are empowered.”
NATSN and NATSO member Sean Flynn of Flynn’s Truck Plaza in Shrewsbury, Mass., said, “All operators
throughout the country, whether competitors or not, can come together to
find a common voice in NATSO.”
All NATSN members officially obtained NATSO membership on Jan. 1.
Poster Contest for Kids Promotes Safety Belt Use Among
Truck Drivers
Winner to Receive $1,000 Savings Bond
12.21.07
NATSO, the trade association
representing truckstops and travel plazas, has joined with the
Department of Transportation for the first annual kids poster contest
promoting safety belt usage among truck drivers.
Parents are usually the ones prompting
their children to buckle up every time they get in a car, but children
of truck drivers have a unique opportunity to turn the table and remind
their parents about the importance of wearing their safety belts while
on the job in a new poster contest sponsored by the Commercial Motor
Vehicle (CMV) Safety Partnership and led by the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration. The winner will receive a $1,000 savings bond.
The contest is part of a national safety belt campaign called “Be
Ready. Be Buckled.” that aims to increase safety belt use among
truck drivers.
While 81 percent of the general driving
population wears a safety belt, only 59 percent of commercial vehicle
drivers buckle up when they climb behind the wheel.
“Buckling your seat belt is the
single most effective – and the easiest – way to stay safe
on American’s roads,” said John H. Hill, administrator of
the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “If truck drivers
won’t buckle up for themselves, it’s my hope that they will
at least do it for their families and children as they go about their
daily routine of moving America.”
The contest is open to children age 5-12
that have at least one parent who is a truck driver. The finished poster
must be hand drawn, no larger than 11” x 14” and relate to
the campaign’s theme, “Be Ready. Be Buckled.” Entries
must be submitted by Feb. 29, 2008 to:
NATSO Inc.
1737 King Street, Suite
200
Alexandria, VA
22314
Entries will be judged by an independent panel based on the one that
best illustrates the contest’s theme. The winner will be
recognized, along with his or her family, in Washington, D.C. on May 5, 2008 during North
American Occupational Safety and Health Week. Poster contest rules and
entry forms, as well as more information about the CMV Safety Belt
Partnership, can be found at www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetybelt.
The winner will be announced in April 2008.
NATSO Names Holly Alfano Vice President for Policy and External
Affairs
03.02.07
Alexandria, Va. – NATSO President and Chief
Executive Officer Lisa J. Mullings today named Holly Alfano as the
association’s vice president for policy and external
affairs.
“We are extremely fortunate that
someone with such a vast knowledge of the fuel industry will join
us,” Mullings said. “As our industry sells billions of
gallons of diesel fuel and gasoline each year, we have a tremendous
stake in fuel issues. Holly’s background as the executive director
of the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association, and
her tenure at the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA),
make her particularly qualified to join our government affairs
team.”
Before coming to NATSO, Alfano has
served as the vice president of PMAA since 2001 and as executive
director for the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store
Association for eight years.
Mullings went on to say that
Alfano’s appointment to this new position will assist the
association in implementing NATSO’s new strategic
plan.
Last year, NATSO’s board of
directors approved a long-term plan that reaffirmed the
association’s strong focus on government affairs, with a
particular focus on both fuel- and transportation-related
issues.
“The tremendous scope of issues
that confront our members demanded that we hire someone with
Holly’s experience and expertise,” Mullings said. “I
know that Holly shares my commitment to zealously advance the interests
of travel plazas and truckstops.”
NATSO Vice President of
Government Affairs Sarah
Dodge said, “I am thrilled about Holly’s appointment to
NATSO. Having worked with her at PMAA for several years, I know
the energy, dedication and knowledge she will be able to put to work for
NATSO members.”
Mullings also praised the work of
PMAA, and emphasized that the two groups would continue to work closely
together on issues affecting fuel retailers.
NATSO, Industry Groups Oppose the Sale of Highways
Feb. 9, 2007
WASHINGTON D.C. —
NATSO, the trade association representing truckstops and travel plazas,
has joined with other industry groups to form Americans for a Strong National Highway
Network, whichopposes the latest trend of
privatizing and selling our national highway network. NATSO President
and Chief Executive Officer Lisa Mullings spoke at the coalition’s
press conference on Feb. 9 at the National Press Club.
“The visionaries who
created the Interstate Highway System in 1956 did not want to duplicate
the anti-competitive conditions found on toll roads,” Mullings
said during her address. “They chose to fund this impressive
American network without the use of tolls because they envisioned a
level playing field. They knew that a system of toll roads would limit
the choices for the motorist.”
She added, “By the year
2010, small business owners who provide services to highway users along
the Interstate are expected to employ over two million Americans and
generate nearly $200 billion in sales annually. Tolls would threaten
those highway-based businesses by diverting traffic onto secondary roads
that are not equipped to handle this additional volume. But now the
government threatens to stifle our economic progress by granting a
monopoly power to private firms. The interests of business owners along
the highways have been ignored.”
By 2010, highway service
facilities are projected to purchase $106 billion in goods and services.
They will also collect $12.1 billion in state fuel taxes, $1.8 billion
in property taxes, $4.2 billion in state sales taxes and $4.5 billion in
state and local lodging taxes.
Rep. Peter DeFazio
(D-Ore.), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and
Transit, said government should carefully examine the move to privatize
the nation’s highways. "For the Bush Administration, the rush to
promote public-private partnerships is based in ideology, not a critical
evaluation of how public-private partnerships might help meet the goal
of an improved, integrated national transportation system and further
the public interest," he said.
Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr.
(R-Tenn.), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Highways and
Transit, said, “I share this
coalition’s concerns about the recent waive of long-term leases of
existing toll roads by private entities. I believe we need to
understand the impacts that tolling can have on the traveling public,
private industry and the economy before we enter into any more of these
agreements.”
He continued, “In
order to gather more information on this increasing trend, the Highways
and Transit Subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on public-private partnerships on Feb.
13. At this hearing we will examine the advantages and the
disadvantages of encouraging private investment in public infrastructure
projects. We will also look at the impact of public-private partnerships on our
nation’s transportation network and address whether or not the
public interest is protected when these partnerships are
executed.”
NATSO would like to see
state and federal governments embrace the bold vision President
Eisenhower and Congress held in the 1950s. Mullings asked, “How would these leaders feel about
proposals today to delegate the maintenance and control of our roads to
private or foreign interests? We will labor
to ensure our national transportation network continues to support
mobility, security and interstate commerce for the benefit of all
Americans.”
NATSO is pleased to join
with other industry stakeholders in Americans for a Strong National Highway Network
to fight privatization efforts. Throughout 2007, NATSO will work to educate lawmakers, highway
officials and the public as to the true cost of tolling and
privatization.
In addition, NATSO strongly
supports government investment in fuel tax evasion countermeasures and
enforcement. NATSO encourages legislative changes that would close
legal loopholes that result in less revenue for the nation’s
public roads, such as the fuel tax exemption for local, state and
federal government vehicles and tax evasion by non-Native Americans who
purchase tax-free fuel on Native American reservations from tribal
ret
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