SAN DIEGO (AP) — In a speech worthy of his surname, American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear adopted a forceful tone Monday in recapping the industry’s legislative and legal achievements over the last year.
The ATA had a very successful year. After years of waiting for legislation to pay for much-needed road and bridge repairs, an infrastructure measure with billions of dollars dedicated to road and bridge repairs finally became law.
Triumph over truck-only tolling
A long battle in Rhode Island against truck-only tolling ended with a federal court victory for the industry. In addition, the United States Supreme Court overturned a vaccine mandate for truckers and motor carriers objected.
“I’ve made it clear since accepting this job that your association’s primary goal is winning… winning on behalf of the members and this great business, regardless of who the electorate sends to Washington,” Spear told ATA members on Monday.
Spear celebrated the recent repeal of Rhode Island’s RhodeWorks policy, which imposed tolls only on heavy-duty trucks. From the start, the ATA alleged that the program was discriminatory and unconstitutional.
“Make no doubt about it,” Spear added. “The significance of this win stretches far beyond the borders of Rhode Island.” Any state contemplating a similar attack on our industry has now gotten a clear message: “Don’t meddle with truckers.”
Finally, infrastructure funding.
The Infrastructure and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden. President Donald Trump declared it a major priority, but he fell short.
“The previous administration spoke a good game and had funding projections as high as $2 trillion,” Spear added. “However, Republicans never sponsored an infrastructure measure after four years in administration, including two with a House and Senate majority.” There isn’t a single item of legislation. ‘All hat, no cattle,’ as we say in Wyoming.”
The Jobs Act contained a program for training and employing younger drivers to alleviate the ATA’s estimate of an 80,000-person driver shortfall.
“The skeptics can complain all they want, but this is a move toward safety, not away,” Spear added.
Is an excise tax battle on the horizon?
The ATA did not fight everyone. It collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safeway program to influence emissions standards while closely monitoring the expanding usage of zero-tailpipe-emission electric vehicles. According to Spear, 66 trucks, today generate the same amount of pollution that one truck did in 1988.
Spear advocated a fresh focus on repealing a 105-year-old statute that imposes a 12% federal excise tax on purchasing a new truck. The levy raises the cost of new vehicles and restricts the purchase of safety and convenience equipment that helps drivers retain their jobs.
“This tax relic raises the cost of every power unit acquired today by $25,000,” Spear said. “This harms well-paying manufacturing jobs.” As a result, we are unable to service the worldwide supply chain. It also reduces the amount of safe and environmentally efficient vehicles on our nation’s highways.”
Loudspeakers in the San Diego Convention Center blared Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” as Spear exited the stage.
