The latest iteration of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met for the first time on Wednesday with the goal of hearing from transportation-related industries about the current state of transportation infrastructure and supply chain challenges.
There were five industry representatives at the hearing representing trucking, rail, ports, construction and labor unions. In the trucking corner was American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear.
Before you roll your eyes and close your browser, it’s worth noting that Spear actually championed some causes that are near and dear to owner-operators.
He, of course, spoke on behalf of ATA members, which are generally larger carriers, and as such, some of his statements cited the industry’s so-called “driver shortage” and how Congress can help address fleets’ recruiting issues.
But he also spent a lot of time talking about ways Congress can help reduce congestion on highways and improve truck parking. He also warned the committee about the dangers of legislation like California’s AB 5, which effectively banned the traditional leased owner-operator model in the state, as well as problems with the rush to “zero emissions,” such as in California.
[Related: Battery-electric's trucking reality -- parking problem could 'look a whole lot worse']
