Pennsylvania AAA Clubs Host Public Affairs Day

Representatives of Pennsylvania’s AAA clubs gathered in Harrisburg recently for their annual Pennsylvania AAA Federation Public and Government Affairs Day. Joining with other statewide AAA officials, President/CEO Leonard R. Sempier of AAA Central Penn, participated in discussions with state legislators and senior state government officials on topics and issues affecting the state’s motorists.

A panel of Senate and House Transportation Committee Directors discussed the complex state transportation funding issue and the potential impact on highway and bridge maintenance. Panel members also commented on prospective legislation before the General Assembly including bills to notify consumers of the existence of vehicle black boxes in their cars, and a proposed bill to limit the number of passengers a junior license holder would be permitted to carry.

Pennsylvania Highway Information Association Vice President Robert Latham discussed the serious state transportation system financial dilemma and addressed mass transit funding deficits and projections. Latham said that PennDOT does not have sufficient funds to improve roadway conditions, expand current roads or to build new capacity. The state, said Latham, is losing the race to keep up with needed repairs and improvements to the many structurally deficient and aging bridges in the state.

Petroleum expert Rolf Hansen discussed gasoline prices and outlined many complex factors such as crude oil costs, summer gas requirements and ethanol challenges that were contributing to an upward trend in prices at the pump. Hanson said ethanol, which is blended with gasoline, cost more than the gasoline.

AAA lobbyist Dick Gmerek addressed statewide AAA legislative issues and initiatives. He said AAA had recently provided testimony before a legislative committee hearing on auto black boxes. AAA has urged legislation to disclose the existence of vehicle black boxes, or event data recorders, and to provide consumer ownership of the black box data. Gmerek said the transportation committees would also likely consider legislation regarding driver education, teen passengers, distracted driving and local police use of radar. AAA also provided testimony to a House hearing considering teen driving legislation.

The AAA clubs hosted an evening reception for Senate and House legislators and other state officials, Sempier said, giving the AAA representatives an occasion to discuss their concerns on legislative issues.

"I was particularly delighted with the opportunity to meet and talk to state officials and to senior members of House and Senate Committees."

Sempier said he feels direct contact with elected officials is the best way to get AAA’s position across. "This was a very useful exchange for both legislators and AAA officials."