News From ASET - August, 2005

Frustrating News Out of Congress

Unfortunately, the newly signed congressional highway reauthorization bill did not include any provisions for truck productivity enhancements. Although ASET had pushed strongly for at least one or two state pilot projects, they were killed in committee.

The highway bill addresses many needs but one that was completely left out was productivity. Capacity constraints are at an all-time high, diesel fuel prices are at an all-time high, driver shortage issues are at an all-time high, and regulatory changes such as hours-of-service, new engine standards, and the like continue unabated. Congress seemingly did not read their own study on truck size and weights that offered compelling evidence that increasing weight on single-trailer trucks with the addition of a sixth axle would lead to greater productivity while decreasing the amount of accidents on our roads.

Now with the five-year bill signed into law ASET’s members must decide how to proceed. Through initial strategy meetings held with some of our Executive Committee, ASET will be attempting to gain legislative language through several states without trying to push a nationwide proposal as it had done leading up to the congressional highway bill. These state proposals could include pilot projects, single and multi-state initiatives, especially in border or port states that are at a distinct disadvantage because of international competition. ASET’s members will help dictate where these endeavors take place and what kind of legislative options we can use.

ASET has several supportive Members of Congress that we will look to for continued leadership on our truck-weight issue. We must also reach out to key Senators that may have more ability to push our language through than a House Member. ASET’s members will again be asked to use their congressional relationships to help shape our new efforts in 2006. In the meantime, ASET will continue to hold strategy sessions and will conduct a conference call to discuss our options and get feedback from the general membership.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please call Jake Jacoby at 703-549-9467 anytime.