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February 10, 2017 | www.npcainc.com
In This Issue
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GLW Scholarship
Skimmer Training Presentation
Nebraska UST Operator Training
 2015-2016 GLW Scholarship Winners
Upcoming Events

February 24-25
May 17-19
PMAA Washington Conference & Day on the  Hill,  Click here for more info
June 6 GLW Scholarship Golf Outing, York, NE
August 2-3 2017 NPCA Convention
October 16-17 PMAA Fall Meeting at NACS

YOUR WEEKLY MEMBER NEWS LETTER: is a service provided only to members of the Nebraska Petroleum Markers & Convenience Store Association (NPCA). If you have any key personnel that would like to be added at no additional charge, please feel free to reply to tkeigher@npcainc.com, katie@npcainc.com or call (402)-474-6691.
 
HAPPENINGS IN THE NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE THIS WEEK
On Monday of this week, Governor Ricketts announced the appointment of Elmwood banker Rob Clements to replace former Senator Kintner, who resigned January 25th after a mired of miscues on his part.
 
Governor Ricketts received 35 applicants for the open Legislative seat, but Clements was not one of the applicants. The Governor had his people look throughout the state and he felt that while Clements did not apply, he was the "right person" for the job.
 
Clements, 66, is educated as an actuary and his family has been in the Elmwood area since 1868 and helped found the community in 1886. The Clements family has owned the Elmwood American Exchange Bank for 79 years.
 
Senator Clements must run for the legislative seat in two years should he decide to remain in office. In addition, he will be eligible to run for a second term as well, thus potentially giving him ten years as the senator representing the 2nd District (Cass County and portions of Sarpy and Otoe counties). 
 
Senator Clements and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 44 years and have five children.
 
Meantime, the Legislature made some progress, kind of the take one step forward and two backwards though in adopting their permeant rules.
 
A vote early in the week approved by a 25-19 vote would require 30 of the 49 senators to cease debate, ending a filibuster, unless there were at least 17 votes cast as "no" in ending debate. Under the current permanent rules a vote of 33 "yes" votes are needed to end a filibuster, but no requirement for 17 to be voting "no", as they could be senators who are absent, present and not voting, or voting in the negative. As stated by Senator Larson, who proposed the rule change, this change would require those senators supporting a filibuster to go on record as such.
 
After this vote, Senator Chambers, who is against the change, filled a motion to "reconsider the vote just taken", which is where lawmakers will pick up on Monday after passing the adjustments to the current budget in LB22 on Final Reading.
 
Lawmakers have till the end of session on Tuesday to adopt permeant rules, or extend the temporary rules yet for a third time this session.
 
Next week the legislature will be in session Monday through Thursday and after the conclusion of afternoon hearings will take a much needed four-day weekend. Wednesday of next week will also mark the 30 day of this year's 90-day session or one-third of the session completed.
 
Some significant upcoming dates of interest are:
 
March 8, Prior to Adjournment
* Deadline for senators to submit a letter to the Speaker requesting designation of a bill as a 2017 speaker priority bill
 
March 9, Prior to Adjournment
* Deadline for designation of committee and senator priority bills
 
March 13
* Speaker priority bills announced prior to adjournment
 
March 23
* Date to complete committee public hearings on introduced bills
 
March 28
* Full-day floor debate begins
 
 
2017 Upcoming Hearings
Hearing Date
Bill Number
Introducer
Committee
On Liner
2/13/2017
LB254
Crawford
General Affairs
Change provisions relating to making and serving alcoholic liquor by non-licensed persons as prescribed. As stated in the Statement of Intent on the bill: LB254 clarifies that beer, mead, perry, and products made with honey may be made by individuals under the standards set out in Neb. Rev. Stat. 53-168.06. Furthermore, LB254 allows the serving of clearly marked alcoholic liquor made under this section of statute to be served to family or guests, or at festivals, competitions, exhibitions or tastings where all laws relating to the serving of alcohol liquor are followed so long as none of the alcohol is offered for sale
2/13/2017
LB73
Riepe
General Affairs
Prohibit the sale or transfer to or use by persons under twenty-one years of age of tobacco, vapor products, and alternative nicotine products.
2/13/2017
LB632
Larson
General Affairs
Change provisions relating to the Nebraska Liquor Control Act and music licensing agencies. Omnibus liquor bill having various components. Among them: clarification of tiers to craft breweries, distribution, and retailers. Max 5 breweries or brew pubs.
As listed in the bill's Fiscal Note:
Section 53-103 is amended to define a bottle club and to provide a licensing requirement for the operator of a bottle club.
 
Section 53-123.01 is amended require that all alcoholic beverages purchased for resale in Nebraska, prior to being resold must physically come into the possession of a licensed wholesaler and then be distributed from that wholesaler's Nebraska warehouse.
 
This section is also amended to change the number of off-site retail locations that a craft brewery licensee or manufacturer licensee may have an interest in. LB 632 strikes current statutory language that allows such a licensee to operate up to five retail locations. New language in LB 632 provides that after January 1, 2017, such a licensee shall not acquire any interest in additional off-site retail locations but may continue to own an interest in any such site already established. This would prohibit a current licensee who has not already established an off-site retail location from establishing one.
 
Section 53-123.14 is amended to say that a craft brewery licensed premises may include up to five separate craft brewery or brewpub premises and that a craft brewery is prohibited from owning or selling directly to licensed retailers.
 
Section 53-123.15 is amended to require a third-party shipper to file an annual report regarding shipments into Nebraska with the Liquor Commission.
 
Section 53-124.11 is amended to limit the number of special designated licenses issued to any licensee to twelve in a calendar year.
 
Section 53-134.01 is amended to increase the container size under a limited bottling endorsement from 32 ounces to 64 ounces.
 
Section 53-164.01 is amended regarding the payment of taxes imposed by Section 53-160 (tax on manufacturer and wholesaler) to provide that the tax on beer sold by a wholesaler to a retailer shall be paid by a wholesaler and that the tax on beer sold by a craft brewer directly to a consumer or retailer shall be paid by the craft brewer.
 
Section 53-1,100 regarding penalties is amended to say that a second violation of this section occurring within four years after the date of a first violation may result in the licensee being required to suspend sales for up to 48 hours. A third or subsequent violation in the same time period may result in the licensee being required to suspend sales for up to 15 days.
 
Chapter 59 is amended to create the Music Licensing Agency Act. Provisions of the Act require a "music licensing agency" to register annually with the Secretary of State and file an annual electronic copy of each performing-rights agreement providing for the payment of royalties made available from the music licensing agency to any proprietor in Nebraska. The Secretary of State is also required to inform proprietors of their rights and responsibilities regarding the public performance of copyrighted music.
 
The Act provides responsibilities for music licensing agencies regarding contracts for royalties; duties regarding their conduct in seeking payment or communicating with a proprietor; and conducting investigations on the use of copyrighted music.
 
The Act provides for a fine of not less than $500 or more than $2,000 for a violation of the Act. Multiple violations on a single day may be considered separate violations.
2/15/2017
LB380
Harr
Revenue
Change income tax rates, itemized deductions, and standard deductions. Increases individual income tax brackets, lowering tax rates to citizens.
2/15/2017
LB452
Lindstrom
Revenue
Impose sales tax on services and change income tax rates and personal exemption amounts. Removes exemption for newspapers, maintenance and repair services, personal care, storage, dry cleaning, taxi and limo services, etc. Income tax reduction based on 3.5% general revenue growth. More information below.
2/15/2017
LB468
Krist
Revenue
Change revenue and taxation provisions. More information below.
2/16/2017
LB382
Erdman
Government
Change provisions relating to budget limitations for counties. As stated in the bill's Statement of Intent: LB382 would remove Highway Allocation Funds and incentive payments from the definition of state aid for budget restricted funds purposes. To ensure that counties are not receiving any additional taxing authority, Nebraska State Statute 13-519 would be changed to (a) reduce restricted funds authority by the amount budgeted for the prior year's restricted funds received as Highway Allocation Funds and incentive payments and (b) increase restricted funds authority by the amount of Highway Allocation Funds budgeted for capital improvements.
2/16/2017
LB266
Friesen
Revenue
Change the valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land. Lower ag land from its current 75% valuation to 30% by 2020.
 
The following four tax bills (listed below in numerical order) look to make significant changes to Nebraska tax law, in that they will remove a long list of items that are currently exempt from sales tax.
 
LB 312 (hearing not yet scheduled), introduced by Senator Briese and cosponsored by Senators Erdman, Friesen, Hughes, and Watermeier would remove the items listed below as being exempt from Nebraska sales tax.
 
  • Veterinarian specialty services
  • Labor for Repair of motor vehicles
  • Pet related services
  • Dry cleaning
  • Cleaning of other tangible personal property
  • Storage & Moving
  • Investment Advice
  • Personal Care (hair, nails, massage, spa, tattoo)
  • Maintenance, painting, repair and interior decorating for single-family home
  • Limousine, taxi, and other transportation services
  • Travel agent and tour operator services
  • Lawncare, gardening, and landscaping services
  • Parking lot services
  • Swimming pool cleaning and maintenance services
  • Dating and escort services
  • Instruction for music, dance, golf, and other recreational activities
  • Custom meat slaughtering services
  • Legal services (excluding services for a for-profit business)
  • Accounting services (excluding services for a for-profit business)
  • Real Estate Services for single-family homes
  • Architectural services for single-family homes
  • Telefloral delivery
  • Labor of a contractor for any major addition, remodeling, restoration, repair, or renovation of owner-occupied residential housing
  • School Lunch & food sold at school
  • Fees for political events
  • Admission fees for school activities
  • Admission fees for any nonprofit organization conducting statewide sport events with multiple sports for both adults and youth, and organizations affiliated with a national organization, primarily dedicated to youth development and healthy living, and offers sports events in multiple sports.
  • Soft drinks
  • Candy
  • Bottled Water
  • Newspapers
  • Coin Operated laundry
  • Lottery tickets
  • Prepaid calling cards
  • Fine art
  • Zoo memberships
  • Historic Auto Museum purchases
  • Eliminates trade-in allowance on cars, boats, ATVs, UTVs
 
LB 452 (hearing February 15th),introduced by Senator Lindstrom and cosponsored by Senators Smith and Linehan would remove the items listed below as being exempt from Nebraska sales tax.
  • Newspapers
  • Coin Operated laundry
  • Lottery tickets
  • Auto Maintenance and Repair
  • Personal Care (hair, nails, massage, spa, tattoo, tanning)
  • Storage & Moving
  • Limousine, taxi, and other transportation services
  • Dry Cleaning
 
LB468 (hearing February 15th), introduced by Senator Krist makes several adjustments to current tax law, among them it puts a moratorium (tax years 2018 & 2019) on exemptions for:
  • taxable tangible personal property from property taxes;
  • extraordinary dividends paid on capital gains from the sale or exchange of stock of a corporation;
  • the transfer of the ¼ cent of general sales tax revenue to the Highway Trust Fund;
  • the transfer of sales tax generated by the sale of motorboats and watercraft to Game & Parks;
  • the transfer of $224 million to the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund;
leaving all these tax dollars to the General Fund.
 
Senator Krist is looking to make a point that if the state would eliminate some of the tax transfers/exemptions that are currently in place that the state would have more funds to cover its projected deficit in the coming biennium budget.
 
It is doubtful that this bill will gain any traction with the makeup of the Revenue Committee, nor with the Governor, as it is not part of his tax plan.
 
Likewise, LB 563 (hearing not yet scheduled), introduced by Senator McCollister would remove the following as being exempt from Nebraska sales tax.
 
  • Newspapers
  • Laundry services (laundromat, dry cleaning, coin-operated machines)
  • Telefloral deliveries (including deliveries to other states)
  • Lottery tickets
  • Non-business maintenance and repair
  • Personal care (hair, hair removal, massage, nails care, skin care, tanning, tattoos, other body modifications, other beauty and personal care services)
  • Lawn care
  • Gardening
  • Storage & Moving
  • Taxi, limousine, and other transportation services
  • Motor vehicle repair and maintenance
  • Storage & Moving
  • Weight loss
  • Internment of human remains
  • Bail bonding
  • Wedding planning
  • Shoeshine
  • Social escort
  • Personal instruction
  • Parking services and docking fees
  • Investment advice
  • Interior design services
  • Custom meat slaughtering, cutting, and wrapping
  • Hunting & Fishing guide
  • Swimming pool cleaning & maintenance
  • Debt counseling
  • Tax return preparation
Bills of Interest

GEORGE L. WATTERS SCHOLARSHIP
SHARE WITH EMPLOYEES

George L. Watters Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 minimum
 
Deadline is March 15th
 

Eligibility : Graduating seniors from any high school in Nebraska

Criteria: Offspring of a Nebraska Petroleum Marketer or their employee, will attend college in Nebraska, upper 1/3 of high school class. The George L. Watters Memorial Scholarship was established in 1988. George Watters was an outstanding and well-respected representative of the petroleum marketing industry. Following his death several years ago, the Nebraska Petroleum Marketers Association established this scholarship to properly recall George's leadership and integrity in the field. The Nebraska Petroleum Marketers, a member of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America, seeks to unify petroleum marketers throughout the state to effectively further the common interests of the petroleum marketing industry.
 

MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW FOR PMAA'S WASHINGTON CONFERENCE AND DAY ON THE HILL
PMAA's 2017 annual Washington Conference and Day on the Hill will be held in Washington, DC from May 17-19. With the new Congress and Administration in place, our industry continues to have dozens of important legislative and regulatory issues to discuss and the Day on the Hill continues to be the primary focus of this conference.

The meeting will begin with an Opening Session / Issues Briefing and Region meetings in the afternoon of May 17. Our welcome reception, including our fun and popular PAC silent auction fundraiser, concludes the day! On the morning of May 18, marketers will head to Capitol Hill for visits with their Congressional delegations after a buffet breakfast and issues briefing for those who were not able to attend the opening session. Please be sure to make these appointments at your earliest convenience. There will be a hospitality suite and luncheon on the Hill. On the evening of May 18, we will honor our new PMAA Chair Mark Whitehead. Our conference will conclude after the PMAA Board of Directors meet on May 19 following a buffet breakfast and committee meetings.

Please click here for our event website for all details including registration with secure event payment processing through Cvent. If you plan on attending PMAA's annual Washington Conference and Day on the Hill, now is the time to make your room reservation as our room block is filling up quickly and is 89 percent sold out. Please note that our overflow hotel information is also posted on our event website.

It is your chance to make a positive difference for our industry! Please make your plans now to attend this important and productive conference to meet with your members of Congress! See you in DC in the spring!

Last week, Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reintroduced legislation from the previous Congress that would delay deadlines under EPA's 2015 ozone standards by eight years, from October 2017 to October 2025. The legislation passed the House last year but was never taken up for a vote in the Senate.

This legislation provides a common-sense approach for implementing national ambient air quality standards, recognizes ongoing state efforts to improve air quality through a reasonable implementation schedule for the 2015 ozone standards, streamlines the air permitting process for businesses to expand operations and create jobs, and includes other reforms that bring more regulatory certainty to federal air quality standards.

Last year, PMAA joined over 200 associations, companies and state groups in a letter of support for this legislation. PMAA will work to ensure that the Senate and House consider and pass this crucial legislation.

TAX COMMITTEE MEMBER CALLS FOR LOWER PASS-THROUGH TAX RATE
Senior Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Buchanan (R-FL) is calling for a 20 percent pass-through rate which is lower than the 25 percent rate that is in Chairman Brady's (R-TX) broader tax reform plan.

The 25 percent GOP blueprint is between the 20 percent corporate rate and top individual rate of 33 percent. Congressman Buchanan believes that businesses that pay through the individual system should also get that 20 percent rate. Rep. Buchanan also sees the GOP's proposed immediate deduction on business investment costs as a "a big game-changer."

Buchanan and Brady had previously agreed that the House would pass tax reform legislation as soon as August this year, however, with the obstacles mounting, Brady, Buchanan and many of the primary tax policy writers believe the House will not complete a bill until next year.

Throughout the tax reform debate PMAA will continue to weigh in on provisions that are particularly important to petroleum marketers such as the estate tax and LIFO.

Meanwhile, this week President Trump announced that his team is preparing a tax reform plan. Further, that the Administration plan for the most comprehensive business and individual tax overhaul since 1986 may be released within the next two or three weeks.
CONTINUED PIPELINE PROGRESS THIS WEEK, FINAL DAKOTA ACCESS APPROVAL GRANTED
On Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that it had completed the review of the 1,172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline oil project that had triggered months of protests from Native American tribes and environmentalists. By approving the easement, the Administration has cleared the way for the pipeline to be completed.

The action follows President Trump's January 27 release of two memorandums to advance approval of the Keystone XL (KXL) and Dakota Access pipelines. PMAA was disappointed with President Obama's halt of construction on the pipeline and order for further environmental review late last year, as well as his November 2015 decision to veto TransCanada Corp's KXL pipeline.

PMAA strongly supports development of Energy Transfer Partners LP's Dakota Access pipeline, which would run from North Dakota to Illinois and would bring crude oil through the Midwest and into the U.S. Gulf Coast. PMAA also strongly supports development of the KXL pipeline which has already had more than seven years of debate and multiple environmental impact studies that have shown the pipeline would have no effect on climate change.

Like the Keystone XL pipeline, Dakota Access has become a symbol of environmental opposition to fossil fuel infrastructure. Approval of the Dakota Access pipeline and the Keystone XL pipeline is indicative of how the new Administration will take a much needed and drastically different approach to energy issues

PMAA SIGNS LETTER TO SUPPORT THE REGULATORY ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
On Monday, PMAA joined 615 other coalition partners in sending a letter urging the Senate to consider and pass the "Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017." The bill aims to eliminate overly-burdensome red tape and regulations in order to lift unnecessary burdens on hardworking Americans and to promote jobs, innovation and economic growth. Its intent is to radically reform abusive federal regulation of areas from the environment to the workplace.

Last month, the House passed the bill by a vote of 238-183, with five democrats voting in favor. Passing this bill in the Senate would give President Trump the tools to wipe out abusive regulation.

Please click here to view the letter.
COMMITTEE EXAMINES INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING OPTIONS
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing to discuss the infrastructure needs of the country and the means by which the infrastructure projects will be funded. As of now, President Trump does not have a detailed plan, but he has said that he will tap private investors to raise the $1 trillion he promised for infrastructure projects. The plan also states that investors will be provided a hefty tax credit. However, private investors will want a return on their money beyond just the tax credit, so their investments will only pay off through tolling or other methods of raising additional money. In turn, this plan makes high-volume urban areas attractive, while less-populated areas wouldn't see much private cash.

Senate EPW Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), disagrees with the White House's plan because he believes the plan wouldn't provide much help to his rural state of Wyoming. His concern is that public-private partnerships that depend on a positive revenue stream are not a solution for rural states as traffic volumes in rural states are low.

The House held a similar hearing last week on the state of the nation's infrastructure and Senators anticipate that the Trump Administration will expand its infrastructure plan in the near future. Also, Transportation Secretary Chao will work with Congress to craft a more comprehensive plan to funding transit, roads and bridges.
PMAA CORPORATE PLATINUM PARTNER SPOTLIGHT FEATURING: FEDERATED INSURANCE
Do you "Drive S.A.F.E."?

How often do you consider that there are far more serious consequences to unsafe driving than just getting ticketed? In most states, if you killed or injured someone because of distracted driving or playing a role in a road rage incident, you could be criminally charged. If that's not bad enough, these risky driving behaviors also put your loved ones in harm's way, whether or not they are even in the vehicle with you. Think about it: What would your loved ones do if your behind-the-wheel conduct resulted in your being seriously injured or killed in a car crash, or you are sent to prison because your actions contributed to another's injury or death? Bottom line: Poor driving decisions could ruin your freedom and tear your family apart.

At some point, everyone has made a poor driving decision: speeding to make up for lost time, reading an incoming text message, driving when too tired, or letting emotions take over when encountering a "crazy" driver.

The majority of all auto crashes can be traced back to four driving behaviors: Speed, Attention, Fatigue, and Emotion. Branded "Drive S.A.F.E.," Federated Insurance's driver awareness program helps business owners and risk managers call attention to these behaviors to help their employee drivers understand the risks each can present, and their resulting consequences.

Risky driving habits typically develop over time and can be hard to break. Keeping the S.A.F.E. factors in mind may help you overcome the temptation to engage in behind-the-wheel conduct that puts you and others in danger. Before each trip:
  • Give yourself ample time to get where you're going. Not only does it feel good to be early and not rushed, you can significantly reduce your chances of being involved in a crash.
  • Make a commitment to pay attention to the task at hand, mentally and physically. Be on the lookout for inattentive drivers and drive defensively.
  • Get enough rest to help ensure peak mental awareness so you can react to hazards that may require split- second maneuvers.
  • Remain in control of your emotions and act responsibly. Put space between you and motorists whose actions aren't sensible.
Drive S.A.F.E. has one goal: to help keep you and your loved ones out of harm's way. Please make it home safely today! For more information on all of Federated's risk management programs, contact your Federated regional representative or PMAA's National Account Executive Jerry Leemkuil at 800.533.0472. Federated is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S NEW REGULATORY POLICIES WILL TAKE TIME
President Trump signed several orders aimed at making significant across the board reductions in federal regulations. The first order came in the form of a memo to all federal agencies imposing a freeze and regulatory review of all pending rules for a period of 60 days. The President then issued an Executive Order requiring federal agencies to eliminate two existing rules for every new rule issued. While both are aimed at stemming the flow of federal regulations that affect businesses both large and small, there are legal and practical hurdles that will limit the orders effectiveness. The freeze and review order is temporary and applies only to rulemakings in process as of January 20, 2017 and those that have been issued but have not reached their effective date. Rules that are in the process can simply be withdrawn with no further action. Rules that have been published in the Federal Register but have not reached their effective date are frozen for 60 days but can't be withdrawn without lengthy public notice and comment periods, essentially a new rulemaking. Finally, no rulemaking can be started or issued until March 20, 2017.

The order requiring elimination of two existing rules for every new rule is more problematic from a legal and practical standpoint. The order requires that the cost of any new rule issued be offset by the cost of the two current rules to be eliminated. This will be a lengthy process because the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which has the final say on all rulemakings, must conduct detailed cost benefit analysis on the existing rules to determine if they meet the cost offset requirement to issue the new rule. For the agencies, picking the two regulations up front to meet offset requirements before a cost estimate is conducted by the OMB will be difficult to determine. Even when the equivalency is established the two current rules picked for elimination must go through a formal rulemaking process including public notice and comment period required under the Administrative Procedure Act. In addition, lawsuits by advocacy groups aimed to stop rule eliminations will further slowdown the regulatory process. Finally, the last tool available to eliminate federal regulations, The Congressional Review Act, only gives Congress the ability to override a federal regulation within 60 days after it is issued. This means that any existing rule older than 60 days is not subject to the act.

Taken together, the new Trump regulatory policies will likely be very effective in slowing down new regulations but have a limited impact eliminating existing regulations. In other words, regulatory change is not going to happen quickly other than a reduction in the number of new regulations. The new regulatory initiatives have caused a lot of confusion and uncertainty in both the agencies and regulated community. Within the next few months the new regulatory process will likely be implemented and the steps to achieve regulatory relief clearer.

Bottom line: Once the dust settles at the federal agencies and the new regulatory policy fully implemented, PMAA will take every opportunity to relieve marketers of costly federal regulations. PMAA, with the assistance of Association Executives and marketers, is preparing for the new regulatory process by putting together a target list of regulations to offer up for regulatory adjustment or elimination once the Trump policies are fully implemented.
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a hearing to discuss the infrastructure needs of the country and the means by which the infrastructure projects will be funded. As of now, President Trump does not have a detailed plan, but he has said that he will tap private investors to raise the $1 trillion he promised for infrastructure projects. The plan also states that investors will be provided a hefty tax credit. However, private investors will want a return on their money beyond just the tax credit, so their investments will only pay off through tolling or other methods of raising additional money. In turn, this plan makes high-volume urban areas attractive, while less-populated areas wouldn't see much private cash.

Senate EPW Committee Chairman John Barrasso (R-WY), disagrees with the White House's plan because he believes the plan wouldn't provide much help to his rural state of Wyoming. His concern is that public-private partnerships that depend on a positive revenue stream are not a solution for rural states as traffic volumes in rural states are low.

The House held a similar hearing last week on the state of the nation's infrastructure and Senators anticipate that the Trump Administration will expand its infrastructure plan in the near future. Also, Transportation Secretary Chao will work with Congress to craft a more comprehensive plan to funding transit, roads and bridges.
FEDERATED INSURANCE EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES NETWORK HR QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Federated Insurance's HR Question of the Month focuses on employment-related practices liability issues. January's topic was: We received a question regarding unpaid FMLA leave and holiday pay. An employee has requested unpaid FMLA leave. There are paid holidays during the leave period. Is the employee entitled to holiday pay? Please click here to read the response.

For additional information or to discuss this in further detail, please contact your Federated regional representative or PMAA's National Account Executive Jerry Leemkuil at 800.533.0472. Federated is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.

MERIDIAN ASSOCIATES, INC. TO HOST EVENT FOR PETRO LEADERS
Are You Driving Your Profit To The Max?
Get the latest strategies and develop a more efficient team at The CEO Exchange. Join Meridian clients who beat the industry average profit gain by 4.3 times! Plus focus on how right positioning right employees is critical to the growth and success of your business, creating a solid framework of leadership to promote success from within. Designed for CEOs and owners, CEOX will provide the opportunity to learn petro-industry specific strategies for measurable results.

Seats are limited for this exclusive event on April 4-5 in Dallas. Register now at a discounted rate for a limited time.

Get complete details here.

To learn more about PMAA's Corporate Platinum Partner, Meridian Associates, please visit or contact them at 800.728.9008. Meridian Associates is a PMAA Corporate Platinum Partner.

Thank You to NPCA's Partners

  
  
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Want to be an NPCA Partner, Contact  Katie Navratil  for details    Click here  for more information.
Nebraska Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association | (402) 474-6691 | www.npcainc.com |
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