NATSO Seeks Compromise on Federally Funded Truck Parking, Highway Bill Inches Forward

NATSO, the national truckstop association, reported in its regular newsletter that a meeting last week helped ease differences
among NATSO, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee staff, the American Trucking Associations and Truckload Carriers Association over a highway bill provision to fund rest area truck parking. NATSO sees government funded rest areas as unfair competition.
NATSO reported that president Lisa Mullings and VP of public affairs Linda Van Arsdale expressed NATSO concerns about a pilot project that would, in part, provide 100 percent federal funding for rest area truck parking. While both sides rejected some ideas offered during the meeting, NATSO, ATA and TCA tentatively agreed to some other proposed changes.
The stalled transportation bill has been extended six times since it expired on Sept. 20, 2003. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee announced last week that it is preparing a five-year proposal consistent with a $284 billion, six-year plan approved by the White House last summer.
Committee leaders they expect to hold a markup of the legislation next week. Senate EPW Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) said he is also moving ahead with a similar five-year bill.