NATSO Kicks Off Day on the Hill 2018

The truckstop and travel plaza industry kicked off its annual Day on Capitol Hill event May 15 to push for sustainable highway funding as well as to voice concerns about the Administration’s call to liberalize tolling policy and commercialize Interstate rest areas.
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The truckstop and travel plaza industry kicks off its annual Day on Capitol Hill event May 15 to push for sustainable highway funding as well as to voice concerns about the Administration’s call to liberalize tolling policy and commercialize Interstate rest areas.

Nearly 60 NATSO members are scheduled to meet with their elected officials on Wed. May 16 to urge them to find permanent, sustainable solutions to the Highway Trust Fund such as increasing the motor fuels tax. They also will ask lawmakers to oppose any efforts that would weaken the federal prohibitions on rest area commercialization or the tolling of existing Interstates.

The Trump Administration in February issued a framework for a $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill that relies heavily on private financing to fund infrastructure. Under the proposal, $200 billion of infrastructure investment would come from the federal government. The plan, which is designed to serve as a guide for lawmakers who ultimately must write the legislation, also places a premium on states and local governments that secure their own money for infrastructure projects. It would also carve out $50 billion for rural infrastructure projects and revamp federal permitting.

NATSO thinks it is imperative that the federal government maintain its strong national role in infrastructure development, and not relinquish its responsibility to the states or the private sector.

Also among the bluebrint were proposals that called for liberalizing tolling policy and commercial rest areas, both of which NATSO strongly opposes. NATSO has urged the President to reverse his positions.

NATSO members will begin their Day on the Hill event Tuesday May 15 with a Government Affairs Town Hall. Scheduled speakers include Miles Chiotti, Legislative Director for Rep. Rodney Davis (R- Ill.), Rob Underwood, President of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America, and David Fialkov, NATSO Vice President of Government Affairs.

A noon lunch will feature guest Speaker Brad Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation.

NATSO will kick off its afternoon issues briefing with guest speaker Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations.

Wednesday evening, NATSO will host its annual Capitol Hill pie reception, serving nearly 250 pies to legislators and their staff.

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