Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/626797
4 Oil Prophets Not too long ago, we lost one of baseball's greats with the passing of Yankee great, Yogi Berra. While he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame for his skills on the field, he was equally as well known for his lack of speaking skills. His fractured one- liners are some of the funniest quotes you'll ever read. So, to quote Yogi regarding my service as Chairman of P&CMA for 2016, "It's déjà vu all over again." Most of you will remember that I had the privilege of serving as Chairman of P&CMA in 2013 and some of you may be wondering what in the heck is going on. And that's a fair question. As you most likely know the officers of our association move up what is often referred to as "the ladder" with regard to the positions they hold. By the time someone serves as Chairman he or she has completed five years of service on the association board. Last year we had an individual who was serving in the position of Secretary/ Treasurer who left our industry (and therefore our association). Because of the need for "continuity" in our officers positions, I was asked to step in and fill the remainder of this person's terms in office. I am honored to have been asked to serve again and I look forward to working with the board in 2016. That being said, 2016 may be one of the most important years for our association and our industry in almost a quarter of a century. For the first time since 1992, we will face a serious attempt to increase the statewide motor fuels excise tax by at least 66%. If passed, this increase may represent the largest percentage increase of any excise tax in the history of our state. In addition, it stands to raise $350+ million in revenue; again, perhaps the largest single tax increase in history. The last time the association faced this type of challenge our "active" (jobber) membership totaled somewhere near 400. We sponsored one of the largest and most successful legislative receptions held in Montgomery on an annual basis and our members were by-and-large well connected with their state House and Senate members. In the years since 1992, the number of jobbers in P&CMA has shrunk to about 225, member participation in our Legislative Reception decreased such that we had to cancel the event and many of our jobber members are not as politically active in their local communities as they once were. Bottom line? We need to remember exactly what it took for our association to be successful in the legislative arena and we better be willing to do that much and more in 2016. Failure to work hard and work together will undoubtedly result in a significant tax increase with absolutely no benefits to marketers and our industry. I think our membership is a lot like the members of some churches. We haven't lost sight of the need for the church; we haven't lost our faith, and ultimately we know what we need to do. Even so we may be in need of a revival of sorts. We just need to be reminded of what is required from each of us. I know we have the ability. I sometimes wonder if we have the desire. We'll have the chance to find out beginning February 2, 2016 when the legislature returns to Montgomery. I hope to see you in the pew at the revival! Sincerely, Shayne Lord P&CMA Chairman CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS It's Déjà vu All Over Again R. Shayne Lord P&CMA Chairman