NATSO and Partnership Warn Arizona of Dangers of Rest Area Commercialization
from NATSO News Weekly

NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings told Arizona Director of Transportation John Halikowski that adding commercial services to rest areas would allow states to monopolize Interstate business, hurting established commercial enterprises operating at the Interstate exits and their employees. 
 
During an interview Friday on Arizona Public Radio, Mullings said Congress has time and again upheld the Federal ban on commercialization because it makes sense from a public policy standpoint. "I'm not denying that states need creative solutions to their budget problems," Mullings said. "But this solution will do more damage than good."
 
Mullings rebutted claims that local enterprises would benefit from the opportunity to bid on state rest area concession contracts, saying historically only large international corporations have won such contracts and that owners of exit-based businesses would not abandon their investments to become a tenant in a state-run enterprise.  
 
The Partnership to Save Highway Communities also warned Arizona Gov. Janice Brewer that adding commercial services to state-run rest areas threatens Arizona jobs and will cripple critical public services like schools, fire and police departments. In a letter, the Coalition warned Gov. Brewer that adding fuel, food and other retail services to the Interstate right-of-way will radically alter the competitive landscape, devastating nearby businesses and communities by granting the state direct access to highway motorists.
 
The Coalition to Save Highway Communities encouraged Gov. Brewer to seek alternative solutions to solving any budgetary crisis caused by the recession, including innovative ideas that allow the state to partner with businesses to help meet the safety needs of the travelling public without threatening the livelihood of thousands of people.