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Supply chain disruptions have impacted the quality of life for virtually every American. The delays and bottlenecks, which began early in the pandemic, continue sending shockwaves throughout our economy, leading to higher prices and back orders with no end in sight.

A question to ask the decision-makers in Washington: If the goal is to get more cleaner, greener trucks on the road, why does the federal government keep the 12% federal excise tax on the sale of a new truck?

Truck parking is a major pain point for the industry, and needs more investment from the government. It’s time to get creative about urging that investment, and potentially look to an unconventional source to find it: states’ climate budgets.

Being part of an association is about getting involved, and one of the easiest ways to get involved with a group is to tell your story. I think about that because the story of my journey to becoming chairman of American Trucking Associations isn’t all that different from most of your stories.

While the driver shortage is not new, COVID worsened the problem.

I got to see up close just how important it is to be engaged with the association, and as I turn the wheel over, I want that to be the message I leave you with: Engagement is key in moving our agenda and industry forward.

Congress and President Joe Biden are currently focused on improving America’s infrastructure, with a key sticking point being how to pay for the improvements. This debate presents an opportunity for Congress to finally resolve funding for the insolvent Highway Trust Fund by replacing antiquated funding mechanisms — such as the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers — with solutions that are more reflective of today’s transportation landscape.

From Sherri Garner Brumbaugh: It’s been said adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it. Having worked in trucking for more than three decades, I can safely say 2020 has been a year unlike any other for our industry. We’ve navigated countless obstacles and unforeseen twists and turns over this difficult stretch.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world. In the United States it altered the way our country operates and wreaked havoc on American businesses, but leaders in Washington responded with actions that helped mitigate the damage. I applaud these efforts and am confident that our economy will bounce back. But the work is not done.