With Congress gone for the year and not scheduled to return until January 4, 2007, there is very little to report this week.

NACS continues to assess the political situation it is likely to face next year and to develop strategies regarding various legislative initiatives that could affect the convenience and petroleum retailing industry. Among those issues to which we are most attentive are:

• Credit card interchange rates
• Petroleum price gouging
• Regulation of tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration
• Renewable fuel mandates, especially those directed at retailers
• Remote sales of cigarettes
• Small business tax initiatives
• Affordable healthcare programs

For the next few weeks, it is likely that things in Washington will remain quiet, at least with regards to the convenience and petroleum retailing industry. We will keep our eyes and ears open and let you know if anything starts moving.

Happy Holidays!

John Eichberger
Vice President, Government Relations