b'continuedThis Quarter in History . November, December and January 15 Years AgocontinuedMT: (RA) There were 692 bill draft requests20 08 (Nov 4) US presidential election: Democratic USpeople you work with. Together you can in the Legislative Session hopper. A series ofSenator Barack Obama was elected as the 44th Presidentlook forward to a brighter future.pre-legislative forums were hosted. Other hotof the US and Senator Joe Biden was elected the WPMA ED Gerry Tedrow (GT) Flat tax, topics were mandatory server/seller training47th Vice President.National Retail Sales Tax, and the Unlimited on the issue of employee liability and regarding the sale(Nov 11) Taylor Swift releasedSavings Allowance TaxThe coming debatesof age-restricted products, and the milk police . specifi- her second studio albumbetween Presidential candidates will likely focus cally milk sold in convenience stores.Fearless. It would lateron taxes. I suspect that Congress will also focus NV: The annual golf outing was a big success!become the most- on this issue. The exchange will be interesting. Unfortu-President Keith Stewart thanked those whoawarded country albumnately, there is no proposal to eliminate taxes altogether. sponsored and participated in the event.of all time. Taxes are here to stay.NM: (RB), Governor Bill Richardson called a Special(No v 17) Twilight, based on Stephenie Meyers 2005 novel(GI) Reviewed PMAA (EMA)s 1998 UST Status Report. Session in August. The windfall shrunk fromof the same name, starring Kristen Stewart and Robert84% of total marketer-industry tanks were compliant $400 million to a $50 million surplus, withPattinson, premiered. up from 73%. And 60% of marketers reported equipment the Legislative Session in January at a zero(Nov 21) Walt Disney Animation Studios 48th featureexpenditures in 1998. The average per site cleanup costgrowth budget, pitting health care, educationfilm, Bolt, was released. Despite a relatively marginalwas estimated at $108,000. Liability concerns were down and all the other agencies against each other. The generalbox-office performance, the film received the studiosfrom 1996s 90% to 70%, and more than 97% of marketers election tide turned in favor of Obama over McCain, a firststrongest critical reception since 1999s Tarzan and wasreported having coverage. in NM history, looking at a clean sweep by the Democrats.renowned for playing an important role in instigating Septembers convention in Ruidoso was well attended.what was widely referred to as the Disney Revival, as UT: (JH) Flavored malt beverages were bannedwell as setting the studio in a new creative direction.as of October 1st. Stage 1 vapor recovery was a2008 (Dec) The unemployment rate soared to 7.3%, thereality. Governor Huntsmans energy focus washighest since December 1992.on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Department2009 (Jan 5) USWMI: (DL) Small group Health Insurance of Weights and Measures required gas pump techniciansAirways Flight 1549ReformIs it reforming the small group health to be certified to correctly calibrate gas pumps. ditched in to theinsurance market or destroying it? He reviewed WA: (LM) A big blue tidal wave swept theHudson River ina list of pros and cons of federal and state level nation . voters showed up at the polls inan accident thateffects on small employer markets. record numbers, and overwhelmingly votedbecame known as the Miracle on the Hudson, as all 155ID: Glorious colors of Falland the myriad of meetings more Democratic than Republican . Dino Rossipeople on board were rescued. that are necessary to take us into the new legislative session waged a strong campaign . defeated by the blue tidal(Jan 20) Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th Presidentare in full swingYouth Access to Tobacco, State Gas Tax,wave . My hope is that while we have Democrats sur- of the US. Barack Obama became the first African- Idaho Tax Commission, Dyed Diesel Fuel Use, and Electronic rounding us, new enthusiasm may be generated to bridgeAmerican President-Elect. Reporting were a few of the headlines.gaps in our society once seen as larger obstacles than theMT: (RA) Its almost the last year of the century. once standing Berlin Wall.25 Years Ago Andits almost legislature time (the) last WMI: (DL) reviewed Obamas ambitious 1998 (DEC WPMN)session for veteran legislators, and one of the promises related to health care and healthProud of the Past most popular Governors in history, Marc Racicot.insurance in the US. With 45 million Americans Focused on the Future,Upcoming, a DEQ bill to give them authority to enter who lack health insurance, about 8 million who werePresident Craig Eerkesproperty and permanently close USTs, and create lien children . reason so many Americans were uninsuredof WA related a story ofpower for the State to cover costs incurred with a forced was that health care cost had increased annually at threeRoland, a former employeeclosure and with setting up third party certifications. Also, to four times the general rate of inflation. While it wouldwho had roamed thea DOT bill for pump decals on dyed diesel, and a bill to seem obvious that reigning in health care costs would beMidwest before landing inDEC 1998WPMN Cover Clipreduce the distributors 1% collection allowance by half. a large part of any solution . in Obamas plan, instead hisSeattle and asking to work forNM: (RB) A Gas Price Report by Attorneyfocus is on three general areas: 1providing affordable,food. They hired him because he had a spark about him.General Tom Udall reported that NO evidence comprehensive and portable health coverage for all. Roland became one of Tri-City Oils finest store manag- of price-fixing had occurred in New Mexico. 2Reducing administrative and medical costs.ers. Craig told how Roland attended his first county fair,This was after six years of investigation by his 3Promoting public health . the devil is in the details .and bought a white ribbon sheep for $1,300 (the grandoffice and over $500,000 in legal fees spent by At the end of the day, its hard to argue the health care sys- champion was purchased for $1,200). Roland then gaveNew Mexico petroleum marketers, and hundreds of thou-tem in the US is not in dire need of reform, but we can onlythe sheep back to the little crying owner. When Rolandsands of the taxpayers money spent by Mr. Udalls office.hope that any reform effort produces the positive resultsexplained the purchase, Craig asked, was I Focused on theNV: Guest writer Tina Talbot (Penterra Energy Division) envisioned, and not unintended negative consequences.future? No, I was in shock. But the next morning we openednoted that the WPMA Convention theme Proud of the WPMA Season Greetings from CEO Gene Inglesby; Admin/ITthe newspaper to a full color, front-pagePast, Focused on the Future, was a fitting topic with Director Jan Roothoff; Publications Director Christine Nunley;article about Roland and the sheep, complete Risk Management and Hedging. Tina concluded thatExecutive Assistant/TS Coordinator Judith White; Memberwith him in his Tri-City Oil uniform. Youthe market was full of surprises and it was importantServices Director Jamie Wood; Accounts Payable/Scholarshipcouldnt get better advertising for twice thefor marketers to decide on their companys hedgingCoordinator Kathy Michaelis and Member Services Assistantprice.As a New Years resolution, look forand risk tolerance.Sharon Gansereit. that spark, that uniqueness in the special 52 www.wpma.com / Winter 2023'