Ohio bill aids ‘driver churn,’ OOIDA says

An effort underway at the Ohio statehouse would aid motor carriers wanting to bring more drivers into the trucking industry.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is opposed to the legislation intended to address a “nonexistent” driver shortage.

Rep. Reggie Stoltzfus, R-Minerva, and Rep. Stephanie Howse, D-Cleveland, are the sponsors of a bill to provide a tax credit to motor carriers for eligible training expenses for prospective drivers.

HB222 would cap the tax credit at $3 million annually with the amount allotted to a single employer set at $50,000.

An estimated $1.5 million would be needed to cover the tax credits. The amount would come mostly from the state’s general fund. The local government fund and public library fund would also be tapped to cover costs.

The House Ways and Means Committee recently held a second hearing on the bipartisan effort.

Stoltzfus told committee members during an October hearing the legislation is aimed “to increase training opportunities for new truck drivers in order to address the industry’s growing driver shortage.”

Howse added that “although drivers play a key role in our country’s economic success, we continue to face a growing workforce shortage due to retirement and a lack of skilled drivers with experience.”

Mike Matousek, OOIDA manager of government affairs, has communicated to bill sponsors the Association’s concerns about the measure.

“In short, there is no driver shortage in Ohio or any other state,” Matousek wrote to the bill sponsors. “Large motor carriers and those who represent them continue to perpetuate this myth.

“Their goal is to get lawmakers to introduce legislation to subsidize costs for new entrants so they can employ the cheapest labor possible and continue the driver churn. That’s precisely what HB222 would accomplish.”

Matousek added that the real issue in trucking is driver turnover due to low wages and poor working conditions.

He acknowledges that not every motor carrier is guilty of mistreatment of drivers.

“In fact, plenty of carriers treat their drivers right, and their retention rates reflect that.” LL