OTA Dispatch Issue 4 2017

EVENTS 15 www.ortrucking.org Issue 4 | 2017 were treated to a special reception at the Swedish Embassy, hosted by TEC Equipment and Volvo. In coordination with ATA, the Call on Washington activities give us the chance to put a face to trucking. Those in attendance were able to add their own personal stories and give life to trucking’s narrative. While each has an individual experience to share, the trucking industry, as a whole, faces many of the same obstacles to success. The Call on Washington delivers this information straight to those who can work to make a difference. While the Call on Washington takes industry concerns to the national level, OTA understands that not everyone is able to attend; however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to get involved to make sure our unified voice is heard. We are already plotting future outreach opportunities for 2018 and beyond. As always, if you are looking for ways to get involved with OTA and our mission to advocate on behalf of the trucking industry in Oregon and beyond, please visit our website at www.ortrucking.org or send an email to info@ortrucking.org with your questions or suggestions. OTA Makes Call on Washington Visits with Oregon Lawmakers in Our Nation’s Capitol October 25-27, 2017 | Washington, D.C. O TA President Jana Jarvis and a delegation of members traveled east for OTA’s Call on Washington. This is the chance for trucking to get directly in front of Oregon senators and representatives who were sent to our nation’s capitol to represent the needs and concerns of Oregon voters. As we all know, trucking is a vital part of Oregon’s economy. Communities all over the state depend on trucks to deliver the goods they need every day. It’s important that our lawmakers are made aware of the issues and challenges that could potentially hinder our efforts to deliver and keep the economy moving. The OTA group met with every member of Oregon’s delegation. Productive meetings covered topics including the ELD mandate, infrastructure funding, and workforce issues. Also on the list was the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act’s (F4A) preemption provision over state meal and rest break requirements and state bans on “piece rate” pay practices. Clarifying the F4A provision will ensure motor carriers can continue to operate efficiently and competitively, under nationally-uniform federal regulations, rather than being subjected to a state-by- state patchwork of rules governing driver hours and pay practices. Big-ticket items like trade, regulatory reform, autonomous vehicles were also on the minds of both the OTA delegation and Oregon’s lawmakers. These will become even more relevant as the Trump administration continues to address them in the months and years ahead. Attending this year’s Call on Washington were (left to right) John Barnes, Regional Fleet and Municipal Sales— TEC Equipment; Martha Payne, Attorney— Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP; Kurt Bowers, Regional Director— Northwest; Nick Hewitt, Owner/President— Professional Transportation Services, Inc.; Mike Card, President—Combined Transport; Diane DeAutremont, President & Dan DeAutremont, Vice-president—Lile International; Jana Jarvis, President—OTA; and Evan Oneto, Senior Government Affairs Representative— FedEx Corporate. Attendees from both Oregon and Washington State SPECIAL THANK YOU TO TEC EQUIPMENT AND VOLVO FOR HOSTING A RECEPTION FOR OREGON & WASHINGTON ATTENDEES AT THE SWEDISH EMBASSY!