The Nation

WASHINGTON — After receiving two citations for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) in a span of just 12 days, Julio Perea Ayala, a Nevada-licensed commercial driver, has been declared to be an imminent hazard to public safety by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Ayala has been ordered not to operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce; he was served the federal order March 26. Ayala was arrested by the Nevada Highway Patrol for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol while operating a commercial motor vehicle on two separate occasions, once March 5 and then again March 17. At the time of each incident, Ayala was also charged with having open containers of alcohol, and operating a vehicle with expired registration. The Nevada Highway Patrol impounded Ayala’s truck in each instance. On March 5, Ayala was stopped for erratic driving; his blood alcohol content measured 0.337. Less than two weeks later, on March 17, Ayala was pulled over again; his blood alcohol content measured 0.282. Having an alcohol concentration of more than 0.04 while operating a commercial vehicle weighing more than 26,001 pounds and requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a violation of federal safety regulations. FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order states that Ayala’s “blatant and egregious violations of the [federal safety regulations] and disregard for the safety of the motoring public … substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and/or to the motoring public if not discontinued immediately.” Failing to comply with the provisions of the federal imminent hazard order may result in civil penalties of up to $1,928 for each violation. Knowing and/or willful violations may result in criminal penalties. Ayala may not operate a commercial motor vehicle until such time as he successfully completes the statutorily required return-to-duty process overseen by a substance abuse professional.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden wants $2 trillion to reengineer America’s infrastructure and expects the nation’s corporations to pay for it. The president will travel to Pittsburgh today (Wednesday, March 31) to unveil what would be a hard-hatted transformation of the U.S. economy as grand in scale as the New Deal or Great Society programs that shaped the 20th century. White House officials say the spending over eight years would generate millions of new jobs as the country shifts away from fossil fuels and combats the perils of climate change. It is also an effort to compete against the technology and public investments made by China, the world’s second-largest economy and fast gaining on the United States’ dominant position. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the plan is “about making an investment in America — not just modernizing our roads or railways or bridges but building an infrastructure of the future.” Biden’s choice of Pittsburgh for unveiling the plan carries important economic and political resonance. He not only won Pittsburgh and its surrounding county to help secure the presidency, but he launched his campaign there in 2019. The city famed for steel mills that powered America’s industrial rise has steadily pivoted toward technology and health care, drawing in college graduates from western Pennsylvania in a sign of how economies can change. The Democratic president’s infrastructure projects would be financed by higher corporate taxes — a trade-off that could lead to fierce resistance from the business community and thwart any attempts to work with Republican lawmakers. Biden hopes to pass an infrastructure plan by summer, which could mean relying solely on the slim Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate. The White House says the largest chunk of the proposal includes $621 billion for roads, bridges, public transit, electric vehicle charging stations and other transportation infrastructure. The spending would push the country away from internal combustion engines that the auto industry views as an increasingly antiquated technology. Another $111 billion would go to replace lead water pipes and upgrade sewers. Broadband internet would blanket the country for $100 billion. Separately, $100 billion would upgrade the power grid to deliver clean electricity. Homes would get retrofitted, schools modernized, workers trained and hospitals renovated under the plan, which also seeks to strengthen U.S. manufacturing. The new construction could keep the economy running hot, coming on the heels of Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package — economists already estimate it could push growth above 6% this year. Separately, Biden will propose in the coming weeks a series of soft infrastructure investments in child care, family tax credits and other domestic programs, another expenditure of roughly $2 trillion to be paid for by tax hikes on wealthy individuals and families, according to people familiar with the proposal. Funding the first $2 trillion for construction and “hard” infrastructure projects would be a hike on corporate taxes that would raise the necessary sum over 15 years and then reduce the deficit going forward, according to a White House outline of the plan. Biden would undo the signature policy achievement of the Trump administration by lifting the corporate tax rate to 28% from the 21% rate set in a 2017 overhaul. To keep companies from shifting profits overseas to avoid taxation, a 21% global minimum tax would be imposed. The tax code would also be updated so that companies could not merge with a foreign business and avoid taxes by moving their headquarters to a tax haven. And among other provisions, it would increase IRS audits of corporations. White House officials led by National Economic Council Director Brian Deese offered a private briefing Tuesday, March 30, for top lawmakers in both parties. But key GOP and business leaders are already panning the package. “It seems like President Biden has an insatiable appetite to spend more money and raise people’s taxes,” Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the GOP whip, said in an interview. Scalise predicted that, if approved, the new spending and taxes would “start having a negative impact on the economy, which we’re very concerned about.” The business community favors updating U.S. infrastructure, but it dislikes higher tax rates. An official at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who insisted on anonymity to discuss the private talks said the organization fears the proposed tax hikes could undermine the gains from new infrastructure. The Business Roundtable, a group of CEOs, would rather have infrastructure funded with user fees such as tolls. Pittsburgh is a series of steep hills and three intersecting rivers. Its steel mills once covered the sky in enough soot that men needed to take spare white shirts to work because their button downs would turn to gray by lunch. Only last year the city, amid the coronavirus pandemic, met Environmental Protection Agency standards for air quality, even though it is increasingly the home of tech and health care workers with college degrees. Infrastructure spending usually holds the promise of juicing economic growth, but by how much remains a subject of political debate. Commutes and shipping times could be shortened, while public health would be improved and construction jobs would bolster consumer spending. Standard & Poor’s chief U.S. economist, Beth Ann Bovino, estimated last year that a $2.1 trillion boost in infrastructure spending could add as much as $5.7 trillion in income to the entire economy over a decade. Those kinds of analyses have led liberal Democrats in Congress such as Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal to conclude Tuesday, “The economic consensus is that infrastructure pays for itself over time.” But the Biden administration is taking a more cautious approach than some Democrats might like. After $1.9 trillion in pandemic aid and $4 trillion in relief last year, the administration is trying to avoid raising the debt to levels that would trigger higher interest rates and make it harder to repay. Psaki said March 30 that Biden believes it’s “the responsible thing to do” to pay for infrastructure through taxes instead of borrowing. But the White House in its outline of the plan also couched the tax hikes as a matter of fairness, noting that 91 Fortune 500 companies paid $0 in federal corporate taxes in 2018. By Josh Boak and Lisa Mascaro, The Associated Press

ATLANTA — In response to severe weather and tornadoes that ravaged Coweta and Polk counties in Georgia’s Metro Atlanta area March 25-26, The Georgia Motor Trucking Association (GMTA) has activated the Convoy of Care to assist families affected by the destruction. According to the National Weather Service, the tornado that struck the town of Newnan in Coweta County was rated as an EF4, causing damage “consistent with winds up to 170 mph.” Through partnerships with local law enforcement, the media, the trucking and logistics industry, and others, Convoy of Care works to provide disaster relief throughout the Southeast. GMTA has been part of Convoy of Care since 2016. “This (disaster) hit close to home. Oftentimes we’re traveling to a different state, or a different part of this state, but this one is literally in our backyard,” said Emily Crane, GMTA’s vice president of safety and education. “In the Newnan area, which was really hit (hard), there are neighborhoods that are just gone. There are homes gone. The area was just destroyed.” GMTA is asking for assistance from the trucking and logistics industry, as well as private citizens. In addition to toiletries, nonperishable food and cleaning supplies, yard tools (preferably new) are needed to help area residents and volunteers sift through the debris. Convoy of Care partners have been on the ground in the storm-stricken areas this week, evaluating how best to meet the needs of the communities. “That’s when we heard that yard tools were needed,” Crane said, adding that she heard the following story from some responders in Newnan. “There was a gentleman there, walking in his yard, searching through what was (left of) his house, with one shoe in his hand. They asked, ‘What are you doing?’ and he said, ‘I’m looking for another shoe for my daughter, so she’ll have a pair of matching shoes,’” Crane shared. “That’s an earth-shattering position to be in; searching through what was his home, looking for a shoe so his daughter could wear a pair of shoes.” To help transport the volume of donations expected, GMTA is requesting the use of forklifts, tractors and trailers, drivers, gaylord boxes (large, industrial-strength cardboard crates) and other supplies. “Right now, we seem to have most of the driver situation covered, but we never know what the response is going to be until the day of,” Crane said. “Our biggest need right now is forklifts when we go to Newnan, and then our main need is gaylord boxes.” Anyone wishing to donate the use of trailers, drivers and gaylord boxes this week should email Crane at [email protected]. Contactless drop-off will take place Thursday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations: Georgia State Stadium (old Turner Field), 755 Hank Aaron Drive SE, Atlanta; and Woodstock First Baptist Church, 11905 State Highway 92, Woodstock (Gunnin Road and Trickum entrance). To make a monetary donation to the Convoy of Care, click here. “When disaster strikes, we’re so grateful for the fact that we’re able to rely on the trucking industry to do what they do every day, which is deliver everyday essential items to the people who need them the most,” Crane said. “We all rely on trucks to get us what we need.”

WASHINGTON — Bipartisan legislation aimed at creating safe, secure parking sites for commercial truckers was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives March 29. Under H.R.6104, known as the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, $755 million would be set aside from the federal Highway Trust Fund to help states finance projects that would increase the nation’s number of truck parking spaces. The bill’s original cosponsors, Reps. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) — a former truck driver — and Angie Craig (D-Minn.), were joined by Reps. John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Susan Wild (D-Pa.), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.). “I grew up in a family trucking business and spent years driving over the road,” Bost said. “Since then, we’ve seen the need for more trucks and drivers increase significantly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when trucking helped to keep our economy going. However, the number of truck parking spaces hasn’t kept pace. That means that drivers are forced to park in unsafe locations, which puts both them and other motorists at risk. Creating sufficient parking options for long-haul truckers will not only help keep truckers safe during their rest breaks but will also mean safer roads for everyone.” Currently, there are more than 11 truck drivers for every one parking space. Studies show that 98% of drivers report problems finding safe truck parking, and the average driver spends 56 minutes of available drive time every day looking for parking. That wasted time amounts to a $5,500 loss in annual compensation, equivalent to a 12% annual pay cut. Moreover, 58% of all drivers admit to parking in unauthorized or undesignated spots at least three times per week to meet their parking needs. “Without adequate parking, truck drivers are forced to pull to the side of the road or continue driving — both of which are risky,” Craig said. “I’m proud to join Rep. Bost to reintroduce the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, which would increase truck parking spaces and improve safety for the folks who transport our goods, and everyone on our roads.” Trucking associations and other groups — including American Trucking Associations (ATA), Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), National Association of Small Trucking Companies, National Motorists Association, Transportation Intermediaries Association, American Highway Users Alliance and Institute for Safer Trucking — were quick to voice support of the bill. Chris Spear, president and CEO of ATA, extended a word of thanks to Bost, Craig, Garamendi, Wild, Johnson and Stauber for their “unwavering leadership” on the issue of safe parking. “The severe shortage of safe parking presents truckers with an untenable dilemma: either keep driving when they are fatigued and possibly in violation of their federal hours-of-service requirement — or park in unsafe, sometimes illegal locations, such as a roadside shoulder,” Spear said. “The health and well-being of our drivers, the safety of the motoring public and the sustainability of our supply chain all depend on Congress addressing this issue with adequate funding in a surface transportation bill.” Funding could be used for the construction of new truck parking facilities, the expansion of truck parking at existing rest areas, the conversion of space at existing weigh stations or any other projects that would increase a site’s truck parking capacity. Funding would be awarded on a competitive basis, and applicants would be required to submit detailed proposals to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). “We’ve been sounding the alarm on the truck parking crisis for decades,” said Todd Spencer, president of OOIDA. “While Congress and the Federal Highway Administration have tried to address this issue with the enactment of Jason’s Law and launching the National Coalition on Truck Parking, the continued growth of the parking shortage shows the status quo is not sustainable. Congress must provide dedicated federal investment to expand capacity if it is serious about addressing the problem.” David Heller, vice president of government affairs for TCA, said the lack of safe truck parking is top of mind for the association. “Truck parking consistently ranks as one of the most important issues for the Truckload Carriers Association and trucking stakeholders across the country. On a daily basis, our companies’ drivers face dangerous conditions due to the lack of safe and convenient parking options,” Heller said. “TCA applauds Representatives Bost and Craig for their dedication to resolving this critical safety obstacle through this legislation, which will devote significant funding toward the development of suitable parking on our nation’s highways.” The legislation would not only benefit the trucking industry; it could also help make the nation’s roadways safer for all drivers, according to Gary Biller, president of the National Motorists Association. “Overall, more Highway Trust Fund money needs to be spent on improving/expanding roads and bridges, but that should not be at the exclusion of adequate parking facilities for commercial motor vehicles,” Biller noted. “An expansion of options for long-haul truck drivers made possible by the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act will benefit all highway users.”

PLOVER Wis. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) announced its fourth annual list of Top Women to Watch in Transportation March 22. The 73 women noted on the list were selected by the editorial staff of WIT’s Redefining the Road magazine based on their recent career accomplishments and efforts to promote gender diversity. “This accomplished group of women represent a wide range of skill sets and expertise, and highlight how women bring diverse thought, value and results to businesses in the industry,” said Ellen Voie, WIT president and CEO. “These impressive women have made a tremendous impact in their fields during this pandemic and are pushing the envelope for women in the industry. We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate their accomplishments.” Those named to the 2021 Top Women to Watch in Transportation list work for a broad range of company types, including motor carriers, third-party logistics companies, equipment manufacturers, retail truck dealers, professional services companies, technology innovators and private fleets. Their job functions include corporate management, operations and safety, sales and marketing, human resources, engineering and product development; in addition, there are professional drivers noted on the list. “This year, we received a record-breaking number of nominations who rose to the challenge in a particularly difficult, stressful year during the COVID pandemic,” said Brian Everett, group editorial director and publisher of Redefining the Road magazine. “Through this year’s evaluation process, we identified 73 amazingly resourceful, creative, talented women who stand out as top performers in the field of transportation.” Of the 73 Top Women to Watch in 2021, 11 employees of Yellow Corp. were selected: Andrea Anderson, equipment manager; Patrice Brown, assistant general counsel; Heather Callaway, audit manager; Lea Dawson, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary; Summer Dean, talent acquisition director; Lucia Dorr, talent development specialist; Maria Grasty, operations manager; Tamara Jalving, vice president, safety; Melissa Jass, senior organizational development business partner; Heather Noland, human resources director; and Deanna Parker, payroll director “It’s always exciting when a third party recognizes the contributions of our employees, who in this case are among the trucking industry’s top professionals,” said Darren Hawkins, Yellow Corp. CEO. “The contributions of these women, not only to Yellow but to our entire industry, are truly remarkable, as they champion diversity and inclusion across all levels of the company and in our communities.” Yellow expanded its resources for women by creating a Women’s Inclusion Network, an employee resource group designed to foster relationships, enhance the employee experience, support women behind the wheel and develop a strong pool of future leaders in what’s traditionally been a male-dominated industry. “We recognize the value women bring to the table, and our newly expanded Women’s Inclusion Network offers mentoring, safety training, leadership development and enrichment opportunities that help drive our recruitment and retention strategy for women,” said Sarah Statlander, the company’s vice president of human capital and talent acquisition. Statlander was recognized on WIT’s Top Women to Watch in Transportation list for 2020. Five employees of Ryder are noted on the list: Amy Carroll, director of sales; Marilyn Pape: manager of strategic analytics; Lindsey Trent: manager of business and customer development; Jessica Weaver: manager of group logistics; and Stacey Weidner: senior director of human resources. “These five astounding women have been invaluable leaders across Ryder’s business in their commitment to advancing gender diversity within the transportation industry, an integral part of our core values,” said Delores Lail, Ryder’s senior vice president of sales for the east region and a member of the WIT board of directors. “From building successful teams and mentoring female colleagues to driving innovation and fostering key customer relationships, Ryder celebrates this accomplished group of women and remains dedicated to fostering a culture that empowers our employees to succeed at all levels.” In 2019 and 2020, Ryder was a recipient of WIT’s Top Companies for Women to Work for in Transportation, an award honoring companies for commitment to the employment of women in the trucking industry. As an active participant of the WIT Association, PACCAR Parts, Schneider National, Visible Supply Chain Management and Fleet Advantage are also honoring employees who made this year’s list. PAACAR Parts honors Brook Vasquez, who serves as the company’s director of operations in Europe and is responsible for operations at six aftermarket parts distribution centers, including supply chain management and logistic functions to support DAF trucks worldwide. Vasquez focuses on maximizing customer uptime by providing industry-leading parts availability and speed of delivery. “Brooke Vasquez is an inspiration to others and is dedicated to her customers and team members. She sets clear expectations, leads by example and is a valuable member of our global organization,” said David Danforth, PACCAR Parts general manager and PACCAR vice president. “I have worked at PACCAR Parts facilities all over the world and that experience has given me a well-rounded perspective of the trucking industry. I can relate to other women in the industry and offer advice on how they can advance in their careers,” Vasquez said. “I enjoy mentoring employees and empowering them to take charge of their career development.” Carmen Cucinello, vice president of operations at Schneider National, is being recognized for supporting gender equality in the trucking industry. “The fact that this spotlight exists for women within the transportation industry is exciting, and much deserved,” said Cucinello, who began her career at Schneider more than 25 years ago. “I strongly admire the women in this industry and have been motivated by their achievements throughout my career. Being included with this esteemed group is an incredible honor.” Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke praised Cucinello. “Carmen brings passion, innovation, creativity and humor to everything she does,” Rourke said. “She is an outstanding role model. I couldn’t be more inspired by her hard work and pure grit.” Emma Leonard, who serves as executive vice president of transportation and procurement for Visible Supply Chain Management, was recognized for her efforts to spur the company’s growth, save customers money and mentor other female leaders. “Emma has exhibited strong leadership abilities by building and managing a cross-functional team of transportation professionals, analysts and managers. She has successfully implemented a new parcel pricing strategy and scaled that strategy to support Visible’s aggressive growth,” said Casey Adams, president of Visible. “Her efforts have played a major role in achieving double-digit revenue growth year over year.” Leonard advocates for gender equality in the supply chain space through her involvement in AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education). She is also a pillar for local women in logistics by mentoring her peers. She organizes and facilitates local meetups and networking events. Ludmila Manin, a remarketing sales associate for Fleet Advantage was also noted on WIT’s Top Women to Watch in Transportation for 2021. The only woman on the team, Manin was the top salesperson in 2020, selling more than $6.3 million dollars in off-lease equipment into the secondary marketplace. She also played a direct and instrumental role in the financial integrity of the company and its clients. “2020 was our largest year to date with over 1,500 off-lease vehicles,” said Francis Maloney, remarketing sales manager for Fleet advantage. “We were in a low-valued used truck market, and Ludmila and our remarketing sales team recruited, hired, trained and implemented a consistent sales and marketing process.” Other people recognized as WIT’s Top Women to Watch in Transportation for 2021 include: Carmen Anderson, company driver for America’s Service Line; Amy Barzdukas, chief marketing officer for Omnitracs; Jessica Brooks, vice president of customer experience for J.B. Hunt; Chavela Brown, area vice president for Penske Truck Leasing; DeeDee Cox, vice president of human resources for Old Dominion Freight Line; Kimberly Craib, assistant vice president of terminal operations for Day & Ross; Candi Cybator, director of marketing for PITT OHIO; Susie DeRidder, company driver for Armour Transportation; Bonnie Diaz, CDS, NE SHE&S manager for Linden Bulk Transportation; Laura Dickinson, vice president of safety and compliance in North America for Day & Ross; Lisa Disbrow, director of public affairs for Waste Management Inc.; Deb Donohue, company driver for Denney Transport; Donna England, vice president of safety and member services for Tennessee Trucking Association; Suzann Fakhoury, vice president of operations for Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance; Leigh Foxall, CEO and founder of Truck Parking Reservations; Melissa Gaglione, president of Safety4her; Nicole Glenn, president of Candor Expedite; Lindsey Grammel, vice president of global brand development for TruNorth Reghan Grasty, associate general counsel for Apex Capital Corp.; Arelis Gutierrez, president of Aria Logistics; Leslie Kilgore, vice president of engineering for Thomas Built Buses, Daimler Trucks North America; Dayna Harap, co-founder and vice president of sales and marketing for Direct Expedite; Katie Helton, chief administrative officer for Jack Cooper Transportation; Jennifer Hoffman, director of agent services for Trinity Logistics; Ashley Jankowski, vice president of Bat Logistics Elaine Kapusta, managing director of finance for FedEx Custom Critical; Samka Keranovic, vice president and COO for US Truck Driver Training School; Donna Kintop, senior vice president of client experience for DDC FPO; Shelley Koch, president and owner of K & J Trucking Inc.; Katie Lee, director of national accounts and truckload for Day & Ross; Erin Luke, assistant director of North America materials for Peterbilt Motors; Tracy Mack-Askew, general manager and strategy executive for Daimler Trucks North America; Lisa Massello-Hodges, safety manager for Asset Based Intermodal; Whitney McClendon, CEO of Eemerg Roadside Assistance Marketplace; Morgan McCoy, human resources manager for NAPA Transportation; Jennifer Mead, CEO of S-2international; Krystal Menzo, president of Global Express Transportation; Justina Morosin, vice president of commercial transformation for Navistar; Amanda Morrison, senior vice president of Grammer Logistics; Lindsay Paul, logistics operations manager for Quadway Freight; Charlee Poineau, program manager for TuSimple; Claudia Ratica, director of talent management for TravelCenters of America; Jill Schmieg, founder and chief strategist of Sol de Naples Marketing; Jin Stedge, CEO of TruNorth Transportation Co.; Vivian Sun, head of business development for TuSimple; Bonnie Supan, vice president of operations and finance for Brenny Transportation; Joyce Tam, director of product management for TuSimple; Tiffany Trent-Abram, senior manager of product management for Amazon; Nicole Wiggins, corporate diversity and inclusion director for Navistar; Darlene Wolf, senior vice president of strategic partners for Arrive Logistics; Jennifer Wong, head of sustainability for Convoy; Chelsea Woodhead, chief people officer for Arrive Logistics; and Andrea Woodruff, vice president of administration, compensation and procedure for John Christner Trucking. All 73 women will be recognized at the upcoming 2021 Women In Trucking Accelerate! Conference, which is scheduled for Nov. 7-9 in Dallas.

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is warning that the country’s infrastructure needs exceed $1 trillion and that other countries, namely China, are pulling ahead of the U.S. with their public works investments, a scenario he describes as “a threat to our collective future.” Buttigieg appeared before a House panel Thursday, March 25, part of an opening gambit to sell Congress on President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. Congress just passed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, but Buttigieg told lawmakers that a broader economic recovery will require a national commitment to fix and transform America’s infrastructure. He called the coming months “the best chance in any of our lifetimes to make a generational investment in infrastructure.” “Across the country, we face a trillion-dollar backlog of needed repairs and improvements, with hundreds of billions of dollars in good projects already in the pipeline,” he said. Buttigieg also emphasized new investments to curb climate change. “Every dollar we spend rebuilding from a climate-driven disaster is a dollar we could have spent building a more competitive, modern and resilient transportation system that produces significantly lower emissions,” Buttigieg said. “We all live with the damage that has been caused by a history of disinvestment and the resulting unmet needs that are only growing by the day.” Buttigieg was addressing the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as Biden meets with economic advisers this week on an emerging $3 trillion package of investments on infrastructure and domestic needs. In recent weeks, Buttigieg has met with over two dozen groups and over three dozen members of Congress, according to agency records, to discuss the effort he casts as a “generational” opportunity. But that sales pitch is facing skepticism from Republicans wary of another pricey package so soon after the multitrillion-dollar COVID-19 response. For Biden, it’s yet another test of his campaign promise to reach across the political aisle to address national problems, with some Democrats favoring a go-it-alone approach that could cut Republicans out of the process. The proposal, which remains preliminary, would break legislation on the priorities into different pieces, including an infrastructure component to boost roads, bridges, rail lines, electrical vehicle charging stations and the cellular network, among other items, in a bid to attract Republican support. The goal would be to facilitate the shift to cleaner energy. A second component would include investments in workers with free community college, universal pre-kindergarten and paid family leave, according to a person familiar with the options who insisted on anonymity to discuss private conversations. Still, Republicans in the closely divided Congress are already balking at the size and scope of the proposal as well as Biden’s focus on the environment. Some Democrats have privately told the administration that they will likely have to bypass Republicans and use their narrow party majorities in the House and Senate to pass infrastructure plans with budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority. Biden is expected to provide details on his economic proposals in a speech next week. “A transportation bill needs to be a transportation bill — not the Green New Deal,” said Missouri Rep. Sam Graves, the top Republican on the House panel, drawing lines on what House Republicans can accept. “This needs to be about roads and bridges. … The more massive any bill becomes, the more bipartisanship suffers.” Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, the Democratic chairman of the House transportation panel, said lawmakers should be asking what consequences the country will suffer “for every day of delay.” “Infrastructure is integral to the functioning of our economy and investing heavily in it at this moment in time is key to our nation’s recovery,” DeFazio told the hearing. Buttigieg, a Democratic presidential candidate in 2020 who was the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has been echoing Biden’s call to pass a bill with bipartisan support, stressing both economic and racial justice. He said nearly 40,000 Americans die on unsafe or inadequate roads annually, while millions of others don’t have access to affordable transportation. The current pandemic has stressed the transportation sector even more, he says, and “without action, it will only get worse.” “We see other countries pulling ahead of us, with consequences for strategic and economic competition,” Buttigieg said. “By some measures, China spends more on infrastructure every year than the U.S. and Europe combined. The infrastructure status quo is a threat to our collective future. “Now is the time to finally address major inequities — including those caused by highways that were built through Black and Brown communities, decades of disinvestment that left small towns and rural main streets stranded, and the disproportionate pollution burden from trucks, ports, and other facilities,” he added. Last year, the House passed a $1.5 trillion package of public works improvements, but the Senate did not take it up after Republicans criticized it as embracing a “Green New Deal.” A Senate panel approved a far narrower measure, but it failed to advance. Buttigieg said he looks forward to more discussion in the weeks and months ahead over the size and scope of the package. Both DeFazio and Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, have set goals of passing bills out of their committee in May. Work on this year’s infrastructure bill and other green efforts has already begun in full force with committee hearings, closed-door meetings and legislative initiatives. On Thursday, a bipartisan group of senators including Carper and North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr, the top Republican on the Senate health and education committee, introduced legislation aimed at spurring private investment in clean vehicle infrastructure, such as electric charging stations and hydrogen refueling stations for fuel cell vehicles, by expanding business tax credits. The measure seeks to supplement upcoming infrastructure legislation that is expected to include federal money to help fulfill Biden’s pledge to build half a million electric charging stations over the next decade, part of a U.S. effort to achieve net-zero emission by 2050. By Kevin Freking and Hope Yen, the Associated Press. Associated Press writer Josh Boak contributed to this report.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Bestpass recently acquired the Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) toll management program, adding more than 400 commercial fleets to its customer base, Bestpass announced March 23. Former MMTA toll program customers now have full access to the Bestpass toll management system, from the customer web portal and online analytics to new transponder options and expanded toll coverage. “Maryland Motor Truck has been an invaluable partner for nearly two decades, and we’re enthusiastic to continue to serve their members and help them save even more time and money on their toll,” said Tom Fogarty, CEO of Bestpass. “We also welcome these new commercial fleet customers, and look forward to providing them with our first-in-class service and support.” Since MMTA launched its commercial toll program in 2002, Bestpass has provided back office and toll processing support, including tracking toll usage and accounts receivable services. “Offering toll management to our members has long been a point of pride for MMTA, and Bestpass has provided us with many of the tools necessary to deliver a robust and valuable program,” said Louis Campion, president and CEO of MMTA. “By fully moving the program to Bestpass, we can ensure continuity of operations and that our members will see even more value through expanded options.”

HARRISBURG, Pa. — A prominent highway construction trade association on Wednesday, March 24, came out against a state plan to toll up to nine major bridges around Pennsylvania in need of repairs as lawmakers move to block the plan. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s top transportation official disputed the trade association’s criticisms. The Associated Pennsylvania Constructors generally supports tolling to underwrite transportation projects, but the organization’s executive vice president, Robert Latham, told the House Transportation Committee that the cost of private financing would drive up project costs. Latham also said relying on tolling to cover construction costs is risky. However, Transportation Secretary Yassmin Gramian said she expects the projects to be financed with lower-cost municipal bonds under a federal program. In addition, financing the reconstruction projects isn’t as risky as financing a new bridge project because studies show that the bridges have stable daily traffic flows. The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association also opposes the proposed tolls. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Senate is advancing legislation to require the Legislature’s approval of any proposed transportation project with a user fee. Gramian has said the tolls are necessary because PennDOT has less than half the cash it needs to keep Pennsylvania’s highways and bridges in good condition and ease major traffic bottlenecks. Borrowing the money against existing revenue would take money away from other construction projects, she has said.

WHITE COUNTY, Ind. — A truck driver is dead following a March 23 crash on Interstate 65 that involved two tractor-trailers and a passenger van. At about 11 a.m. local time, Indiana State Police responded to an accident and large fire involving multiple vehicles on southbound I-65 at the 187 mile marker. Preliminary investigation by Devin Farmer, an Indiana state trooper, revealed that a red 2017 Freightliner, pulling a tanker trailer containing a food-grade material, was driving northbound in the right lane on I-65 near the 187 mile-marker. For reasons unknown, the Freightliner swerved into the left lane and sideswiped a white 2014 GMC van, driven by James Harrington, 66, of Thomasville, North Carolina. The GMC stopped in the median, and the Freightliner continued across the cable barrier and into the southbound lanes. A blue 2019 Volvo tractor, driven by Frank Duran Jr., 56, of Chicago, was traveling southbound in the right lane, pulling two trailers. The Freightliner hit the two trailers, shearing one of them in half, and then caught on fire. The Freightliner and both trailers came to rest in the ditch on the west side of the southbound lanes. The Volvo continued southbound and stopped on the right shoulder. The driver of the Freightliner was pronounced dead at the scene by the Carroll County Coroner. The driver’s name is being withheld pending identification and notification to the family. Harrington and Duran were both uninjured in the crash.

INDIANPOLIS — A bill making its way through the two-house Indiana legislature would level the playing field for logistics companies wishing to ship overweight loads within that state. House Bill 1190 has cleared the Indiana House of Representatives and moved on to the state Senate where it awaits committee debate, said Rep. Jim Pressel of Rolling Prairie (R-20), who sponsored the bill. “For the last two (legislative) sessions I’ve carried legislation along with Sen. Jon Ford of Indianapolis (R-38) to at least get this into summer study committees,” said Pressel, a career homebuilder who also spent a decade as an over-the-road truck driver. “This is my first year as Roads and Transportation chair and a lot of the stakeholders came to me with ‘What are your thoughts on this? We know you’ve been active in trying to at least start the conversation,’” he said. “As the first-year chairman, I thought this will be a great bill to get the conversation going.” Pressel said the new bill expands an option, already on the books in Indiana, by which trucking companies can haul overweight loads via a special permit. Passed by the state legislature in 2014, the permit is restricted to only three industries — steel, agricultural products and paper. Among just those three industries, the number of permits issued has grown appreciably, up 66% between 2017 and 2020. The new bill opens the permit — which allows overweight loads up to 120,000 pounds — to all industries. Pressel said because the original law predates his time in the legislature, he could not comment on why the original program only allows three industries. But, he said, he couldn’t see why the state should, in his words, “pick winners and losers,” via eligibility for this permit. “I don’t think that’s fair,” he said. “I don’t think we should do that.” The bill would also update the cost of the permit to help pay for anticipated extra wear and tear on state roadways. The current permit, issued through the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), currently costs $20 for an annual permit and $20 plus a per-mile fee for a single trip. Under the new statute, the annual permit would see a substantial bump to $350, and the cost of a per-trip permit would jump 30%, but still remain well shy of the cost of breaking an overweight load into multiple trucks. Pressel said the bill has the enthusiastic support of the Motor Truck Association but also has its detractors. Some legislators worry about the effect of increased truck weight on roadways, while other groups decry the safety issue of heavier trucks being involved in traffic accidents. The safety factor has drawn opposition to House Bill 1190 from the Indiana Association of Chiefs of Police and the Indiana Sheriff’s Association. As chair of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, Pressel said he appreciates both concerns, which is why the bill provides a cap of 118,950 trip permits issued annually. In addition, permit holders will continue to be restricted to specific routes, avoiding certain bridges and local roads. He also points to language in the bill that directs INDOT to supply annual assessments of the impact of increased overweight loads on highway surfaces to guide future decision-making. Specific to safety, Pressel noted that two associations of front-line emergency responders — those presenting Indiana’s state police and professional firefighters — are neutral on the proposal. What’s more, he said, current statistics bear out a stellar safety record specific to overweight loads. “We’ve got some really good data internally since (we started) doing this in 2014,” he said. “In 2019, we had around 113,000 of these single-trip permits, equivalent to about 14 million miles. And in that 14 million miles, taking a look at overweight, oversized, over-length trucks, there were somewhere around 145 property damage reports, zero fatalities and three injuries.” In contrast, Pressel argues, eliminating overweight loads entirely would put 50,000 more truck trips on Indiana roadways, which ups the statistical probability of accidents. “I’m optimistically hopeful. I think (the bill) is going to move,” Pressel said. “I emphasize all the time that we currently do these permits today. I think the majority in the general assembly would agree with me when I say we should not pick winners and losers. “This is not something new to Indiana, but to expand it we have to make educated decisions on this,” he continued. “We should move cautiously and make sure that this is done right. I think this bill does that.”