When OAAA Fought the Feds

Cannot Afford to Forget

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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This article explores the history of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) and its critical role in defending the outdoor advertising industry from federal regulation and attempts to limit or eliminate billboards without compensation. It highlights the key leaders, legal experts, and political allies who helped the industry maintain its property rights and avoid losing roll-call votes in Congress, even during hostile periods when billboards were politically targeted.

Why it matters

The article serves as a reminder that the outdoor advertising industry's current stability and legitimacy did not come easily. It had to be fought for and defended against federal overreach. Understanding this history is crucial for younger professionals who may take the industry's protections for granted, as the threats of zoning creep, aesthetic regulation, and eminent domain actions continue to loom.

The details

The article details how the OAAA, under the leadership of former CEO Nancy Fletcher, worked to protect the industry's property rights and fight against federal attempts to remove billboards without compensation. This involved enlisting top legal experts like Eric Rubin, Myron Laible, and Ken Klein to establish key legal precedents, as well as specialists in valuation, government affairs, and policy framing like Joe Lively, Rob Davis, Lee Rafkin, and others. The defining moment was the 1991 congressional vote, where the industry's political allies like Harry Reid, Bud Shuster, and Jim Oberstar helped defeat a bill that would have banned new billboards and undermined existing property rights.

  • In 1991, Congress considered legislation that would have banned new billboards and undermined existing property rights.
  • The 1991 congressional vote is widely regarded as the most important congressional action affecting outdoor advertising since the Highway Beautification Act of 1965.

The players

Nancy Fletcher

Former CEO of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA), whose tenure defined an era of vigilance in defending the industry's property rights and ensuring it was respected, not just liked, in Washington.

Kevin Reilly

Lamar Advertising executive who represented operators who knew that property rights only exist if they're enforced, providing critical support for the OAAA's advocacy efforts.

Eric Rubin

Constitutional and First Amendment legal strategy expert who helped the OAAA establish key precedents protecting the industry.

Myron Laible

Land use and billboard law authority who contributed to the OAAA's legal defense of the industry.

Ken Klein

Takings and compensation law expert who worked with the OAAA to protect the industry's valuation and compensability.

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The takeaway

This article serves as a powerful reminder that the outdoor advertising industry's current stability and legitimacy was hard-won through the tireless efforts of the OAAA and its allies in defending the industry's property rights against federal overreach. As new challenges emerge, such as zoning creep, aesthetic regulation, and eminent domain actions, it is crucial for the industry to maintain the same vigilance and commitment to defending its rights that were established in the past.