b'2019 Scholarship FoundationCEO MessagecontinuedMeanwhile, Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Lamar Alex- truck stops, restaurants, and hotels. More than 97,000 businesses ander (R-TN), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Susan Collins (R-ME)are located within a quarter-mile of the interstate, and they em-along with Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI) introduced theploy 2.2 million people. Driving America Forward Act, which would expand the EVInterstate-based gasoline retailers will be unable to compete with and hydrogen fuel cell tax credits. Specifically, the legislationcommercialized rest areas, which are conveniently located on would reduce the $7,500 credit to $7,000 and would lift the taxthe highway right-of-way, and would create a de facto monopoly credit cap from 200,000 to 600,000. Under current law, the taxin favor of businesses operated out of rest areas. Interstate rest credit phases out on a per manufacturer basis once that companyarea commercialization would destroy the property tax base of has sold 200,000 EVs total for use in the United States. Recently,local governments (for a short-term gain in state revenue) and Tesla and GM reached the 200,000 cap and are now in the phaseput many retailers out of business. Rest area commercialization out period of the credit. would result in an unfair competitive environment for privately-PMAA is concerned that expanding the EV tax credit places theoperated retailers and would destroy a successful economic busi-burden on the poor and middle-class ratepayers who are subsidiz- ness model that has proven beneficial for consumers and retailers.ing the wealthys luxury buying power to purchase expensive EVs.PMAA is a member of the Rest Area Commercialization Coali-THE ASK tion that has been meeting with lawmakers to oppose the com-Urge your lawmakers to cosponsor the Fairness for Every mercialization of rest areas.Driver Act (H.R. 1027) (S. 343), introduced by Rep. JasonTHE HIGHWAY TRUST FUNDSmith (R-MO) and Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), which provides& MOTOR FUELS EXCISE TAXESa level playing field for all vehicles by eliminating the electricvehicle tax credit and ensuring alternative fuel vehicle driversFederal motor fuel excise taxes have been the dedicated source of pay into the Highway Trust Fund. funding for the Federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) since 1956. The current federal excise tax for gasoline is 18.4 cents-per-gal-Urge your lawmakers to oppose the Driving America Forwardlon and 24.4 cents-per-gallon on diesel fuel. Act, (S. 1094) which would expand the EV and hydrogen fuel cell tax credits.Revenue has been down in recent years because vehicle fleets have become more fuel efficienthence, less taxable gallons. PMAA STAFF CONTACT: Rob Underwood, Sherri StoneMotor fuel excise taxes have not been increased since 1993. However, some lawmakers have floated the idea of increasing the 3. INFRASTRUCTURE motor fuel excise tax to help pay for the upcoming infrastructure plan. Other infrastructure funding options include tolling, vehicle and FUNDING ISSUES miles travel (VMT)a user fee based on miles traveledand Interstate Rest Area Commercialization public-private partnerships.When Congress created the Interstate Highway PMAA has been unable to reach a consensus on whether it sup-System in 1956,community leaders feared that local busi- ports or opposes a federal motor fuels excise tax increase. Each nesses, jobs, and tax bases would shrink as truckers and otherPMAA state association can decide the best course of action motorists bypassed their cities and towns. As a result, Congressregarding a federal motor fuels excise tax increase. However, prohibited development on interstate rights of way. Section 111all vehicle owners and operators, no matter what fuel type they of Title 23 United States Code prohibits interstate rest areas builtchoose, including electric vehicles, should pay their fair share for after January 1, 1960 from offering commercial services such asroad maintenance and repair.food and fuel. THE ASK Committees: Senate Commerce, Science and Unfortunately, in an attempt to raise state revenue, many stateTransportation; House Transportation and Infrastructuregovernments have supported the idea of commercializing rest Urge Congress to oppose any attempt to commercialize rest areas.areas and contracting fueling and other services to privateUrge Congress to ensure that all vehicle owners and operators, no vendors. While advocates for commercialization claim thatmatter what fuel type they choose, should pay their fair share for such services will benefit the public, the reality is that rest arearoad maintenance and repair. commercialization would close as many as half of the nearby interchange-based businesses (according to a 2003 study by thePMAA STAFF CONTACTS: Sherri Stone, Bradley NormanUniversity of Maryland). These are just three issues. Please visit PMAA.org to review the The ban on the commercialization of rest areas has resulted inother issues we are involved in and talk to your congressional a strong, competitive economic environment with over 60,000representatives to let them know how these proposed laws will businesses developing along U.S. interstate highways. Prohibit- affect your business and community.ing publicly-run rest areas from competing with private sectorGET INVOLVED!!!businesses has been an undeniable success, resulting in industries that provide valuable services such as gas stations, travel plazas,S60 www.wpma.com / Summer 2019'