George W. Bush: thoughts on trucking
By: Michael Howe
Date: 2000-08-29
Mike Howe is a columnist for Park 'N View, and this article originally appeared on www.pnv.com.
This week, George W. Bush and the Republican Party are making their political platform known to the world at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia.
However, the enormous issues facing the nation's professional truckers-fuel prices, hours of service, EPA rule proposals, and others-are rarely addressed at these national, theatrical events.
Wouldn't it be great if we could see into the minds of the Presidential candidates and find out where they stand on these important issues, among others? Recently, I had the opportunity to ask Governor George W. Bush, the Republican presidential candidate, some questions that pertain to the trucking industry. Hopefully, his responses below will help you make an informed decision when it comes time to vote in November.
Note: Al Gore was offered the same opportunities to answer the same questions, but he declined.
Have you ever had the opportunity to experience what the life of an over the road truck (OTR) driver is like? What are your views of truck drivers and the trucking industry?
While I have never had the opportunity to experience the life of an over-the-road truck driver, I respect and appreciate the job these hard-working men and women do to make all our lives easier, from delivering food to our grocery stores to delivering purchases made on the Internet to our front doors.
How do you see the trucking industry, and in particular the individual driver, fitting into the new global / e-commerce economy? Is this an economy that will benefit professional truck drivers?
E-commerce is based on delivery: The delivery of service and the delivery of products. As customers move to purchasing goods online rather than in malls, drivers will benefit from increased demand. In addition, thanks to technological advances, the CB radio has given way to e-mail, GPS tracking and wired hubs. These advances will allow drivers to plan their routes more efficiently-and spend more time with their families.
The Department of Transportation recently issued its proposed Hours of Service rules for truck drivers. These rules are very controversial and seem to be receiving a mixed bag of comments. What is your opinion of the proposed Hours of Service Rules and how do you think they will affect the driver and the industry?
Highway safety is very important, and we should implement policies that will improve highway safety for all drivers. However, the Clinton-Gore administration's proposed "hours of service" rules for truck drivers does not adequately consider or realistically deal with driver fatigue issues, which raises serious doubts as to whether the changes would actually advance safety.
I believe we need a comprehensive approach to truck safety that addresses issues such as equipment standards and driver qualifications, as well as driver fatigue. This, like every other regulatory process, should be inclusive and take into account how easy it will be for the regulated community to comply, as well as what the unintended consequences may be. The economic impact of any changes should also be evaluated. With the proposed "hours of service" rules, there is a potential that additional vehicles will be needed on the road, and the industry must be able to find enough competent and qualified drivers to operate these additional trucks.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed rules to improve the nation's air quality by limiting most sulfur in diesel fuel. The EPA's proposed rules have nearly twice the required reductions in pollution than what the oil industry suggested. If the EPA rules are adopted, the cost to the individual truck driver is estimated to be 25 cents per gallon more. What are your thoughts on this issue?
Note: California and Dallas, TX have similar rules already in place.
I support the development and use of cleaner-burning fuels. I believe regulatory decisions on the level of sulfur reductions should be made with an understanding of the economic costs to those directly affected by the regulations.
The trucking industry recently went through, and is still going through, a "crisis" with regards to fuel prices. OPEC's decisions seem to have a great affect on the pocket book of truck drivers. Is there anything that could be done to help cushion the fuel price increases when OPEC makes a production decision or the US does not have the necessary reserves? How do you feel about a temporary repeal of the federal fuel tax in these situations?
Repealing the federal fuel tax would not address the fundamental problem - lack of supply due to OPEC's production cuts last year, and our increasing reliance on foreign oil under the Clinton-Gore Administration. Today's high fuel prices reflect the fact that the Clinton-Gore Administration admitted it was "caught napping" and has had no energy policy for the past seven years. It has done nothing to encourage exploration for oil or gas in the U.S., it has opposed efforts to open up Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which could hold significant hydrocarbons, and it has done nothing to try to counter our growing dependence on foreign oil, which now comprises 55 percent of our oil needs.
I support the current investigation, and if transgressions have occurred, those responsible should be dealt with swiftly and harshly. As President, I will have a strong foreign policy that will lead to better coordination with our OPEC and oil-producing allies. I will encourage domestic oil and gas production, including opening up ANWR, and I will encourage greater use of natural gas, which is hemispheric in nature and not subject to the whims of OPEC.
The Senate has recently discussed increasing the amount truckers can deduct from taxes for meals to 80%. A 1997 piece of legislation allowed for a phase-in period to reach this level by 2008, but many in the industry feel it should be done now. Are you in favor of implementing the legislation immediately?
I favor lowering income taxes on all taxpayers. My first tax priority is to replace the current five rate system with four lower rates, double the per-child tax credit to $1,000, greatly reduce the marriage penalty, and end the death tax.
Has NAFTA benefited the American trucking industry in your view? What can be done to further ensure NAFTA works like it was intended?
NAFTA has been good for the U.S. economy, increasing exports and supporting high-wage jobs. Since the passage of NAFTA, U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico - our two largest trading partners - have grown faster than U.S. exports to the rest of the world. And NAFTA has created an estimated 90,000 to 160,000 net new jobs, which is significant since export-related jobs pay 13 to 18 percent more than other jobs. The trucking industry played an important role in the success of NAFTA, since 90 percent of NAFTA trade is moved by truck. As President, I want to build on NAFTA by creating an entire hemisphere of free trade throughout the Americas.
The new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is up and running as of just recently. What will you look for this new agency to accomplish, and what will you look for in a leader for this agency?
The newly established Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration presents an opportunity to consider safety issues in a comprehensive manner. Highway safety is very important and needs to be promoted in responsible ways.
The FMCSA inherited many functions from the Federal Highway Administration. When I am President, these functions will be examined for how well they contribute to highway safety and how well they are managed. A Bush White House will work with states to ensure that safety regulations are enforced to protect the traveling public and to ensure that all segments of the highway industry are treated fairly.
I will expect my Secretary of Transportation to play an important role in both selecting the best-qualified leader for the FMCSA and setting the agenda for the agency. As Governor of Texas, I have appointed people who share my compassionate conservative philosophy and my belief in local control, limited government, strong families, and individual responsibility. I will carry this philosophy to the White House. I will consider a potential appointee's experience and his or her knowledge of relevant issues. My management philosophy is to hire the best people for the job and then trust them to do what's right.
With drivers often times spending weeks away from home it is easy to miss election days and the opportunity to vote. Right now there is absentee ballot voting, but do you see voting via the Internet becoming a reality in the near future, thus making it easier for drivers, among others, to participate in the political process?
Internet voting, as well as absentee voting, early voting and voting by mail are all options currently being used or explored by states, who are responsible for administering elections. I support efforts to make voting easier, more accessible and secure for more Americans, including senior citizens, active military overseas and those whose jobs require frequent travel, like truck drivers.
Why should a truck driver vote for you?
I'm running for President to focus our national attention and resolve on a few fundamental priorities. To improve our public schools so that every child is educated and no child is left behind. To rebuild our military and America's stature in the world so we can keep the peace and spread the cause of freedom. To cut taxes for every American to keep our economy growing and make the tax system fairer, especially for those struggling to join the middle class. To save and strengthen two vital programs for our nation's senior citizens: Medicare and Social Security.
- I want to extend my personal gratitude to Governor Bush for taking the time to address these questions and also for his interest in the trucking industry.
- For more information about George W. Bush and his campaign for the presidency you can visit his web site at www.georgewbush.com .
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