ATA Chairman Hopes to End Fuel Tax

STILLWATER, Minn. (AP) —John Wren, the American Trucking Associations' first chairman from Minnesota, has strong opinions on how to help not only the nation’s truckers but also the general public, specifically by cutting the gasoline tax.

The 4.3 cent per gallon federal fuel tax instituted several years ago has gone toward deficit reduction.

Mr. Wren said all previous taxes on gasoline had been imposed for construction or improvement of highways.

He hopes to convince Congress that this tax is unnecessary by asking, "What better way of showing every American that instead of getting a decrease in their tax rate that they’re immediately getting a decrease in the cost of living?"

Mr. Wren, a resident of West Lakeland, Minn., was elected chairman of ATA last October by members of the organization, which represents trucking companies across the United States.

He has been an ATA member for 20 years and is chairman and chief executive of Lakeville Motor Express, a regional carrier.

"I grew up in the industry," Mr. Wren said. "My father started the company (Lakeville Motor Express) back in 1921, and when I was 12, I started in the company sweeping floors and fueling trucks, and on occasion I would drive before having a driver’s license . . . and then through my military career when I was on leave I would drive, and when I returned from military service I would drive. . . ."

He is looking forward to changing laws and regulations to benefit truckers — and the public at large.

"I’ve always been involved in the industry advocacy position, whether it be with the Minnesota Trucking Association or on a national basis," said Mr. Wrenc, who lobbied his home state’s Legislature while chairman of the MTA from 1990 to 1992.

He said he will visit with Congress and leaders of regulatory agencies to fight taxation and increased regulation of business.