Opening Remarks, Frank McCartney

Frank McCartney’s Remarks
IBTTA Legislative Conference
March 7, 2011
Thank you for that kind introduction, Pat.
I am honored to be IBTTA’s 2011 president. And, in this, my first address, I would like to
set the stage for the coming year by doing two things:
• First, announcing my challenge for the year.
• Second, equipping you with two tools to help you meet that challenge this week and
beyond.
First, my theme. I have watched in awe as our industry continues to make the difference in
improving mobility around the world. And, so, as my theme, I have chosen “making the
difference.” Note, I didn’t say making a difference. In my opinion, making a difference is
a cop-out. To me, it says a marginal outcome is not only acceptable, it’s commendable.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me be clear: I’m holding us accountable for more than marginal
success in the coming year. The second reason I chose making the difference is that no
other association possesses the intellect, practical experience, entrepreneurial spirit and
collective power that IBTTA does. If change is going to happen, we must be its stewards.
When you issue a challenge as grand as making the difference, you have to be sure you
have the right people in place who will take it to heart and see it through. We have those
people in this room:
• People who have unquestionable integrity and unlimited stamina.
• People who are creative and see solutions others don’t.
• People who have dedicated their entire careers to tolling.
• And, people who have an unwavering belief in themselves, their colleagues and
their collective ability to improve the status quo.
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What is the difference these people make?
• Greater mobility
• Increased highway safety
• A commitment to customer service and sustainability
• And, improved access to mobility through technology and finance.
If there ever were a window of opportunity – a golden moment – to promote tolling and its
benefits, it is now as local and world events threaten to further erode federal transportation
funding.
A Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives (and an 87-member Republican
freshman class) pledge to cut spending this year while state governors cry for fiscal
reform. Abroad, revolutions in the Middle East and Northern Africa are dramatically
altering the dynamic of U.S. foreign policy and the price of gas.
No doubt, there will be less federal money than before. Lack of funds is forcing cashstrapped
states to become more entrepreneurial. They are striking out on their own to
identify, generate and control their own transportation revenues.
Take the Maryland Department of Transportation’s new Intercounty Connector in
Maryland is making the difference. This all-electronic toll road, which also features
variable pricing, just opened last month. It foreshadows things to come.
In a letter, which appeared in the Washington Post, Pat Jones noted:
“Tolling and dynamic pricing address two of the biggest transportation challenges we face
in this country: a chronic lack of funding and increasing congestion. We should praise
the courage and foresight of those who insisted on including these two critical features in
the ICC.”
Now is the time to get success stories, such as the ICC, in front of lawmakers and urge
them to take a fresh look at all financing mechanisms – with tolling first and foremost.
It’s the IBTTA’s job to initiate and guide that conversation, which brings us to our first
tool. We can make the difference by meeting with lawmakers this week. Tap into those
first-love feelings about tolling – why you entered the industry, and more important, why
you’re still here – and use that passion to deliver these four key messages:
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First, state the problem: We recognize Congress’ unwillingness to increase the federal
gas tax because of the wave of reformers calling for fiscal responsibility.
Second, introduce the solution: The toll industry is prepared to relieve lawmakers of
this burden by assuming the mantle of leadership in transportation funding and
financing.
Third, explain why the solution has merit: Tolling is a way to rebuild our nation’s
infrastructure without having to raise the gas tax – and the implementation of tolling is
much easier now.
Finally, don’t forget the “ask.” End with a call to action: Give us the flexibility to do it!
Remove the legal, political and institutional barriers that prevent states from tolling
interstate highways.
The is our opportunity to tell legislators why tolling is a worthy alternative to the federal
gas tax. Note, I said a worthy alternative and not the worthy alternative. Tolling is not the
answer in every case, but it is a fair, reliable, time-tested way to fund, develop, and operate
road infrastructure. The country has not begun to tap into its full potential, and we must if
we are to save our infrastructure. The second tool for meeting my challenge of making the
difference is printed on the back of a one-dollar bill.
After declaring independence from England, the Continental Congress appointed
Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson to devise a motto for the United
States. They selected e pluribus unum. Pluribus is related to the English word “plural.”
Unum is related to the English word “unit.”
An accurate translation of the motto is “Out of many, one.” E pluribus unum then
describes a place where unity and individuality coexist. A place like IBTTA.
From our diverse membership of approximately 250 organizations worldwide, we find
common ground, common opinions and popular approaches and we amplify them using
one voice.
Let me tell you how one IBTTA member has already put the “e pluribus unum” strategy to
work …
In early February, the Illinois Tollway learned of a proposed regulation by the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The proposal would consider appointed members of public
boards as “municipal advisers,” making them subject to various registration requirements
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and, subsequently, making it tougher for the Tollway to recruit board members in the
future.
Realizing it couldn’t get the SEC’s attention single-handedly, the Illinois Tollway called
IBTTA, and we mobilized. We sought members’ advice and legal counsel. In two weeks,
we had written a letter to the SEC and circulated it to our members, giving them the
opportunity to add their names to the bottom. Sixty public agencies signed the response.
The Illinois Tollway maximized its IBTTA membership and, in doing so, made the
difference. The other reason I like this example is because it illustrates how the IBTTA
acts rapidly and in concert to shape legislation and regulations.
Let me give one more example of e pluribus unum in action …
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently reached out to the IBTTA, the
Alliance for Toll Interoperability, and other toll industry groups about including language
on national toll interoperability in the next transportation bill. This raised the specter of a
proposal two years ago that threatened to establish and enforce a national interoperability
standard in under three years.
Together with the ATI and E-ZPass, we developed briefing materials, which we shared
with key House staff on February 2. Because of that meeting, the House no longer wishes
to meddle with technology now that its members have a better understanding of the issues
and complexities that confront toll operators.
Adding your voice to many is how IBTTA will make the difference. A lawmaker can
decide his or her position on proposed legislation, receive calls from a constituent or two,
who disagree with that position, and in minutes, the proposed legislation is put on ice.
That’s what Tip O’Neill meant when he said all politics is local. The members of IBTTA
possess a great power. I’ve just given you two examples of how elegantly and strategically
it can be wielded.
So, my question is, what do we want to influence next? To me, these examples prove our
collective ability not only to ensure tolling’s future but to mold it.
We are making the difference.
Thank you.
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