Senate approves MAP-21 bill
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century, or MAP-21, by unanimous vote on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The bill contains many plusses for workers and drivers in the trucking and transportation industry, particularly the federal and state infrastructure upgrade, and the inclusion of Jason’s Law, designed to provide more safe overnight parking for OTR truckers. The House proposal remains in committee to be voted on in the short future.
Small Biz Truckers File Lawsuit Against Fed Government
A law firm representing trade groups and independent and regional trucking companies has filed a lawsuit for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The petition cites “unprecedented federal intrusion into the manufacturing and use of medium and heavy-duty vehicles” and the firm proposes that the regulations would add many thousands of dollars to the costs of new trucks. The law firm, Pacific Legal Foundation, contends that the EPA cannot issue any new laws based on the Clean Air Act without requesting an independent inquiry through the Science Advisory Board.
Mack Promotes Walsh to VP of Marketing
Mack Trucks Inc. of Greensboro, NC announced this week that John Walsh will be the new Vice President of Marketing, succeeding Michael Reardon who made the move to VP of Sales in late summer. Prior to joining the Mack team in 2002, Walsh served as a media and TV producer for NASA’s public affairs office. Walsh will officially step into his new role on Dec. 1.