News From ASET
- September 26, 2001

Unfortunately, due to many circumstances we were unable to convene our conference call last week but I wanted everyone involved with ASET to be aware of some important issues that are approaching. If anyone has any questions or would like to discuss further, please feel free to call Jake Jacoby at (703) 549-9467.

  • Oberstar legislation - Jim Oberstar (D-MN) has sent out a "Dear Colleague" letter to Members of Congress regarding truck size and weight. In the letter, Oberstar announces his desire to extend the freeze on truck size and weight from the Interstates to the entire National Highway System. Anyone not grandfathered into the existing rules would be barred from carrying higher weights or longer combination vehicles from this point further. This bill would threaten not only future productivity enhancements, but could potentially harm existing State laws and regulations.

  • Lobbying effort to defeat Oberstar bill - The American Trucking Associations will lead the charge in individual states and with several Members of Congress but ASET may need to add our voice to defeat this legislation. We will probably set up some meetings with key legislators to discuss the problems facing the trucking industry such as productivity/congestion/driver shortage/etc. and why Oberstar's legislation would hurt all these areas of concern. ASET has developed a sample letter to Members of Congress that explains our position and we urge those involved with our coalition to send letters to your representatives and those on the House Transportation Committee. We will be happy to assist you in this effort. Please click here to view the sample letter. (Also available in Microsoft Word format)

  • Case Studies underway - Shipper and motor carriers involved with ASET are completing individual studies to analyze the cost savings of our legislation. This will be used for specific lobbying efforts with Members of Congress to illustrate how valuable our legislation would be to not only national productivity and safety but how it affects their constituents. We anticipate all case studies to be completed within the next few weeks.

  • October 27-31 ATA Annual Conference in Nashville - The American Trucking Associations Executive Committee will meet to discuss their overall plans for size and weight. Steve Williams (ASET Co-Chairman and ATA Executive Committee Member) will be able to address the overall plan and timeline for ASET to other truck company executives in an effort to urge more motor carrier companies to join ASET for our final two-year push.

  • November 12th NIT League meeting in Charlotte - Jake Jacoby will be speaking to the National Industrial Transportation League regarding ASET's legislation and our timeline for passage. Mike Regan (ASET Co-Chairman) will be the moderator for the productivity session.