It's a victory for the convenience store and truck stop industry: the U.S. Senate last night rejected an amendment that would have allowed for commercialization of rest stops along federal
highways. The Senate voted 86-12 against Amendment 1742 to the Surface Transportation Bill proposed by Sen. Robert Portman, R-Ohio.
Vending machines are allowed to be at those rest areas, but
cannot be staffed by a salesperson. The federal law applies to most states. Some were grandfathered in before the federal ban in 1956. Many in the c-store industry vehemently opposed the
amendment.
"This marks a major victory for convenience stores, restaurants and truck stops that operate around our nation's highways," said Corey Fitze, National Association of Convenience Stores director of government affairs. "This veto sends a clear message that state DOTs
[Departments of Transportation] cannot fix their state budget problems on the backs of small businesses or at the expense of American jobs and local communities."
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at Convenience Store News »