LLN (8/6/19) – A group that includes representatives of large carriers wants Congress to end the federal excise tax on new truck purchases. It sounds good, but is it good for small-business truckers, as they claim? Also, Suzanne Stempinski talks test drives and SuperRigs. We’ll have some important notices from the Land Line Now Community Bulletin Board. And Massachusetts’ governor wants to spend $18 billion on transportation.
0:00-10:10 – Newscast
10:10-24:59 – Test drives and SuperRigs
24:59 -39:14 – State highway spending; bulletin board
39:14-49:07 – Effort to end excise tax on new trucks
Segment 1
Newscast
- Police in Houston are seeking information regarding a trucker who was found dead in the cab of his truck on Saturday, Aug. 3. The unnamed driver was hauling a load of meat from Laredo to Houston and never made it there. His truck was burglarized and the contents of the trailer were stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Houston Police Department’s Homicide Division at 713-308-3600. You can find more information here.
- The FMCSA last week announced changes to the fines for violation certain trucking regulations. You can read the Federal Register announcement and see the full list of fines and violations here.
- An invasive insect called the spotted lanternfly is causing havoc for agriculture in the northeastern U.S. A quarantine has been established, and truckers could face fines for not following required procedures.
- For information, you can call OOIDA’s Business Services Department at 816-229-5791.
- You can also find information at OOIDA’s Online Education website.
- Take the required course – Spotted Lanternfly Permit Training for Business – through the PennState Extension.
- If you have questions about the permitting process, email the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture at slfpermit@pa.gov.
- If you are outside of the quarantine area, report any sightings to the Pennsylvania State University Extension at https://extension.psu.edu/have-you-seen-a-spotted-lanternflys or call 888-4-BADFLY (888-422-3359).
- Jon Osburn and OOIDA’s tour truck, the Spirit of the American Trucker, are taking some time off. We’ll let you know when they’re back on the road. In the meantime, you can still join OOIDA at a discount. Just call 816-229-5791, ask for membership and mention our show for a $10 dollar discount.
- See the full Spirit schedule.
Segment 2
From test driving Mack Anthems to paying a visit to some old friends at SuperRigs, Land Line Magazine’s Suzanne Stempinksi hasn’t let the dog days of summer slow her down. Terry Scruton gets the latest.
- You can also read Behind the scenes of Mack Trucks’ Road Life series from Land Line Magazine.
Segment 3
The Massachusetts governor has filed a five-year, $18 billion bond bill touted to invest in the state’s transportation system. Also, two northeastern state governors have signed into law infrastructure packages that include more than $675 million for roads and bridges. Mary McKenna gets the details from Land Line Magazine’s Keith Goble.
- Read more from Land Line Magazine, Massachusetts governor introduces $18 billion transportation bond bill.
- You can also read, Vermont, Delaware approve nearly $700 million for roads and bridges.
- To read about legislation in a particular state, visit Land Line Magazine’s Daily News By State
Mark Reddig and Mary McKenna bring us important notices from the Land Line Now Community Bulletin Board.
- View notices on the Bulletin Board.
Segment 4
A group that includes representatives of large carriers wants Congress to end the federal excise tax on the purchase of new trucks. It sounds good, but is it good for small-business truckers, as they claim? Mark Reddig talks with Collin Long of OOIDA’s Washington, D.C., office.
- It’s never too late to share your views with lawmakers. You can do that on the Fighting for Truckers website.
- To call members of Congress, dial 202-224-3121.
- Read OOIDA’s Guide to Contacting Lawmakers.
- You can read more from Land Line Magazine, Bill would repeal federal excise tax; OOIDA waits to see offset.