PRESS RELEASE
AAA Calls New Interstate Tolls Unfair
13 March 1997
AAA Says New Tolls on Interstates are UnfairWASHINGTON, March 12 -- AAA said today it is unalterably opposed to legislation which would allow new tolls to be added to existing interstate highways. "There is good reason for the existing federal prohibition against tolls on interstates," said James L. Kolstad, vice president, AAA public and government relations. "The public has already paid for these roads through the 18.3 cents-per-gallon federal gas tax. Adding tolls is double taxation clear and simple. "The federal highway program has been on a pay-as-you-go basis since the inception of the Highway Trust Fund in 1956," Kolstad said. "AAA, with its 39 million members, represents a great number of the motorists who have paid billions into the trust fund that built the interstate system. To ask them to pay again is patently unfair." AAA is a not-for-profit federation of 99 motor clubs with more than 1,000 offices providing more than 39 million members in the U.S. and Canada with travel, insurance, financial and auto-related services. SOURCE American Automobile Association
CONTACT: Bill Jackman or Steve Hayes of the American Automobile Association,
202-942-2050