More than 60 NATSO members spent May 16–18 in Washington, D.C., advocating for long-term, sustainable infrastructure funding, an increase to the federal motor fuels taxes, and urging lawmakers to reject proposals that would harm off-highway businesses and communities, such as tolling or commercial rest areas.
NATSO members began their Day on the Hill event Tuesday, May 15 with a Government Affairs Town Hall. Speakers included 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 featured guest speaker Brad Fitch, president and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation. The afternoon issues briefing kicked off with guest speaker Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations.
On Wednesday, the more than 60 NATSO members met with their elected officials in Washington, D.C. NATSO members urged lawmakers to demonstrate the political courage necessary to advance an increase to the federal and motor fuels taxes, which haven’t been increased since 1993. The motor fuels taxes remain the most equitable and efficient method for collecting infrastructure revenues, with nearly 99 cents of every dollar going to the Highway Trust Fund. Tolls, by comparison, double tax motorists who pay for infrastructure every time they fill up at the pump, and lose nearly one-third of the money collected to administering the tolls.
On Wednesday evening, NATSO hosted its annual Capitol Hill pie reception, serving nearly 250 pies to legislators and their staff. This annual event carries NATSO’s name to all 535 Members of Congress.
Day on Capitol Hill sponsors include ME Gaming, Federated Insurance, Love's Travel Stop & Country Stores, Pilot Flying J, S & D Coffee & Tea and TravelCenters of America.
Photo credit: Charlie Archambault/NATSO
Photo captions:
1. Arjan Aulakh, Liberty Petroleum Distributors, Gerald Danniel, Liberty Petroleum Distributors, and Beth Westemeyer, Anew Travel Center, catch up during the Congressional Pie Reception.
2. Jim Hays, Dodge City Travel Centers, met with Representive Bradley Byrne (R- Ala.) to discuss the importance of funding our nation's roads.
3. David Clothier, Pilot Flying J, Pamela Hayes, NATSO, James Greer, Bridgestone Commerical Solutions, and Grant Jones, ME Gaming, met with Congressman David Kustoff (R-Tenn.)
4. Dan Adams, Sapp Bros. Travel Centers (center), connects with Tim and Grant Jones, ME Gaming.
5. Ernie Brame, Kenly 95 Petro Truckstop, Heather Debaillie, CAT Scale Co., and Joel Hamilton, Iowa 80 Group, connect over pie.
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