NATSO's Day on the Hill was held May 14th through the 16th. We had 60-plus attendees moving about Senate and House offices sharing NATSO advocacy regarding the infrastructure, commercial rest area commercialization, highway tolling, and the need to get the biofuels tax credit funded for 2018 and now part of 2019. NATSO’s Congressional Pie Reception was a huge success. Elected officials attended, and Congressional staff members turned out in new records. People in attendance commented that the pie reception is the best one held on Capitol Hill and the one they look forward to each year.
Our government affairs committee, led by Chairman Ernie Brame, met during the event to discuss many topics that impact our industry. Vehicle electrification is moving more rapidly than even the industry predicted. NATSO is encouraging lawmakers to support private investment in EV charging infrastruc- ture and oppose measures that would allow public utilities to use rate payer dollars to invest in EV charging infrastructure. Allowing public utilities to unfairly compete against the private sector by utilizing rate payer dollars to make such investments will effectively destroy the incentive for private sector investment.
This is just one example of the many changes that our industry is facing and being discussed by our government affairs staff and committee members.
As part of the Washington, D.C., event, we heard from speakers who talked about the upcoming presidential election. Transportation industry officials discussed the outlook for infrastructure legislation this year. Unfortunately, the infrastructure outlook is pretty bleak because of political party gridlock. It is a shame that one of the primary responsibili- ties of our government is being allowed to deteriorate with no real fix in sight.
Tuesday evening’s dinner included a visit and comments from Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Illinois). Wednesday morning, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) visited and shared comments at breakfast. Both leaders are sympathetic to our challenges and are working to initiate success where they can.
Please plan on attending NATSO’s Day on Capitol Hill next year. Your voice resonates louder than any lobbying effort. If you have never participated, be confident that you will not have to go alone and that you will be well prepared to share NATSO's positions. We had an issues briefing that included volunteers that reenacted visits that they had experienced. The briefing is thorough and to the point.
Many states do not have NATSO members attending the event. One idea we've had to help spur participation is to have a map of the United States with pins placed to show where we are not being represented. This map will be seen at our annual convention, NATSO Connect, and possibly in our publications.
NATSO Connect 2020 is going to be held Feb. 6–9 in Denver at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center. There are a lot of opportunities to gather and make friends. Colorado has much to offer including some of the United States' best winter recreation. Taking some extra time while you are there to go to the snow-laden mountains will be on a lot of people’s radar. See you there!
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