At PMTA’s Annual Membership Conference on April 20, awards were presented to two PMTA members and one PMTA Chapter for promoting membership growth in the organization.

The President’s Award was to be presented to the single member who refers the most new members to PMTA in 2022 membership year. However, last year, there was a tie for members referred, so two members received President’s Award plaques. Dale Knox of Vorzik Transport, Inc.  and Brian Wanner of Peters Brothers, Inc. were both recognized for growing PMTA’s membership in 2022 and making the association stronger. Thank you, gentlemen, for your commitment to PMTA!

Both Brian and Dale will receive a free AMC registration next year as well as a meal with a guest and PMTA’s president as a special thank you.

In addition, the new Chapter Challenge Award was presented to the PMTA chapter that was able to grow its membership by the highest percentage. For the 2022 membership year, the Chapter Challenge awardee was the Northwest Chapter. PMTA will host an event for the winning chapter of their choice to celebrate their success.

Both of these challenges are continuing during 2023 as PMTA seeks to grow its membership. Let the competition begin for the following membership growth awards!

• Chapter Challenge Award for the single PMTA chapter that is able to grow its membership by the highest percentage during the calendar year. Every chapter represents PMTA in its local community, and its members are colleagues and associates of other local businesspeople. They are often the first encounter these companies have with PMTA, so chapters are membership representatives in their communities. 

• President’s Award for the PMTA member who refers the most new members to PMTA in 2023 membership year. As PMTA grows, so does its strength and influence. PMTA members are our best salespeople, and word of mouth is our best advertisement. We encourage members to discuss the benefits of PMTA with colleagues and refer them for membership. This award recognizes the most successful of our membership advocates.

Both awards will be presented at next year’s Annual Membership Conference (May 5-7) at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburon, Naples, FL.

PMTA recently joined a coalition of associations and chambers of commerce in the state to sign onto a memo to policymakers in Harrisburg urging reform of the state's permitting process. 

Long delays and a lack of transparency in permitting make Pennsylvania a less competitive state for business, increasing the cost of development and expansion for trucking companies as well as critical industries like warehousing and manufacturing.

Permitting red tape also affects the availability of trucking support facilities like truck stops and critically needed parking facilities. Permitting delays can be a hindrance to timely and competitive infrastructure development, delaying and increasing the cost of critical improvements to roads and bridges.

For these reasons, PMTA supports efforts to modernize and streamline permitting in Pennsylvania. SB 350 passed the PA Senate on May 10 by a vote of 29-19 and is now headed to the PA House of Representatives. 

To: The Honorable Gov. Shapiro and Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly

Date: May 8th, 2023

Re: Support SB 350: Reforming Pennsylvania’s Permit Process

Dear The Honorable Governor Shapiro and Honorable Members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly,

On behalf of chambers of commerce and associations representing the state’s key industries and professions, we collectively urge the administration, House and Senate to fix the commonwealth’s dysfunctional and unpredictable permitting system. Doing so will result in greater opportunity for our residents, a modernized system of infrastructure, and encourage more investment into our state.

Pennsylvania has tremendous potential to lead the region and nation in a dynamic 21st century economy. However, as has been made clear throughout budget hearings, the commonwealth has too often lost out on investment to other states, and our inadequate permitting system is one key factor. The current process takes too long, lacks transparency, and costs businesses money and good-paying jobs for our state’s workers.

Lawmakers and the administration have increasingly recognized how the state’s existing permitting process is a major obstacle to new and expanded investment, and we appreciate those focusing on permitting reform as a priority, including in the Governor’s budget address and discussions with cabinet nominees before House and Senate appropriations committees. We further support executive action already taken related to permitting and encourage the administration and General Assembly to work collectively, build on executive orders and improved management, and enact durable and lasting reforms to the state’s permitting process.

Permitting reform will unlock a more efficient and modernized system of public infrastructure, facilitate re-shored investment into advanced manufacturing, and provide more opportunity for hardworking Pennsylvanians.

Reform should be built upon the tenets of predictability, transparency, efficiency, and durability, leveraged against a state budget that ensures adequate resources in terms of personnel and information technology. Now is the time to coalesce around meaningful reforms that will allow our state to truly compete and lead. Doing so will build upon bipartisan momentum at the federal level to streamline permitting and unlock American investment.

We have a generational opportunity to meaningfully change the economic trajectory of our state and communities. We stand ready to partner with you all as you tackle this important challenge.

Thank you for your consideration on this critical issue!

From:

Chambers of Commerce

Beaver County Chamber of Commerce

Bedford County Chamber of Commerce

Blair County Chamber of Commerce

Butler County Chamber of Commerce

Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce

Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County

Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry

Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry

Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce

Exton Region Chamber of Commerce

Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce

Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce

Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Greencastle- Antrim Chamber of Commerce

Greene County Chamber of Commerce

Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce

Harrisburg Regional Chamber

Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce

Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce

Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

Monroeville Chamber of Commerce

Norwin Chamber of Commerce

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Perry County Chamber of Commerce

Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber

Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce

Slate Belt Chamber of Commerce

Somerset County Chamber of Commerce

Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce

Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce

TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce

Venango Area Chamber of Commerce

West Shore Chamber of Commerce

York County Economic Alliance

Pennsylvania Employer Associations

Associated Builders and Contractors- Keystone Chapter

Anthracite Region Independent Power Producers Association

API Pennsylvania

Associated Builders and Constructors of Western PA

Associated Pennsylvania Constructors

Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania

Consumer Energy Alliance

Energy Association of Pennsylvania

Keystone Contractors Association

Life Sciences Pennsylvania

Manufacturer & Business Association

Marcellus Shale Coalition

National Federation of Independent Business

Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association

Pennsylvania Association of Realtors

Pennsylvania Builders Association

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

Pennsylvania Chemical Industry Council

Pennsylvania Coal Alliance

Pennsylvania Coalition for Civil Justice Reform

Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association 

Pennsylvania Forest Products Association

Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association

Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association

Pennsylvania Medical Society

Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

Pennsylvania Telephone Association

The final rule on procedures for transportation workplace drug and alcohol testing programs has been published in Federal Register volume 88 number 84 on May 2, 2023.  This is Docket Number DOT-OST-2021-0093 and allows for the addition of oral fluid specimen testing for use of drugs.

According to the register, the testing of oral fluids will eliminate some cheating that has been a problem with testing of urine specimens.  It will also be more convenient for the collection personnel and less intrusive for the specimen donor.

The oral fluid testing cannot proceed until at least two laboratories are certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

The Federal Register also contains some amendments to FAA, FMCSA, FRA and FTA regulations by removing or adjusting references to the term “urine” and/or add references to oral fluids as well as some other technical changes.

This final rule is effective June 1, 2023.

PMTA will continue to monitor the situation and inform members about Pennsylvania providers of oral fluid specimen testing when they become available.

PMTA's Safety Management Council proudly recognized the safest carriers in Pennsylvania at PMTA's annual Fleet Safety Luncheon, sponsored by Great West Casualty Company. The luncheon took place at PMTA's Annual Membership Conference (AMC) on April 19 in Bedford Springs. 

This year, companies were recognized based on mileage-based categories instead of the divisions that were used in the past, with first, second, and third place awarded to the top three companies in each category. 

The prestigious Fleet Safety President's Trophy is presented annually to the motor carrier that exceeds the stringent safety criteria established by the SMC for accidents based on miles traveled. This year, the President's Trophy was presented to PGT Trucking. 

2022 PMTA FLEET SAFETY AWARD WINNERS

1 million miles to 4 million miles

First place           GFI Transport

Second place     CVS Transportation

Third place         CLI/Sheetz

4 million miles to 9 million miles

First place           Magnolia Logistics, Inc.

Second place     Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.

Third place         Southern Pines Trucking, Inc.

Over 9 million miles

First place           Sherwin-Williams/CTS

Second place     CLI, Inc.

Third Place         PGT Trucking

President’s Trophy

PGT Trucking

Congratulations to the safest fleets in Pennsylvania!

No entries were received for the 100,000 - 1 million mile category this year. Next year, all fleets, including PMTA's smallest, are encouraged to apply for this recognition so that PMTA can continue to highlight our members for their stellar records of safety on the road.

At an April 19 session at PMTA’s Annual Membership Conference in Bedford Springs, Director of Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office Matt Knittel shared a state economic and budget update with attendees and later posted his presentation on the office’s website (www.ifo.state.pa.us). The presentation shared information relevant to the PA trucking industry of interest to members, including statewide economic trends, industry trends, and state revenue proposals. Please see Knittel’s presentation below. 

Statewide effort will support local programs while honoring and remembering our nation’s veterans laid to rest at Arlington

HARRISBURG, PA and COLUMBIA FALLS, ME — April 25, 2023 — The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association is proud to announce its participation in a statewide Virtual Convoy in partnership with national nonprofit Wreaths Across America (WAA).

The Virtual Convoy kicks off this month across the country. The goal is simple, help raise awareness for WAA’s year-round mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those that serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom, while helping each raise funds to support for local programs important to the people of Pennsylvania. Through WAA’s Group Sponsorship Program, PMTA is registered as a $5 pay back Sponsorship Group supporting Arlington National Cemetery – where more than 400,000 servicemembers, representing every U.S. conflict, are laid to rest.

Through this effort, PMTA will be working to fill (virtually) one trailer load of sponsored veterans’ wreaths to send to Arlington National Cemetery this December. This is approximately 5,000 wreaths which will be laid on the final resting place of servicemembers from our state. With each $17 veteran’s wreath sponsored an American hero receives a wreath and the year-round mission of WAA is supported.

“PMTA is excited to announce our partnership with Wreaths Across America,” said President and CEO Rebecca Oyler. “We fully support their mission and are always thrilled to see our members volunteer each year to help haul wreaths and even place them. Our association is happy to support WAA and all they do to honor America’s heroes.”

“Each year, WAA partners with more than 300 transportation companies who help us “move the mission.” These companies donate equipment, fuel, staffing, and time to deliver loads of sponsored veterans’ wreaths to their final resting places on the headstones of our nation’s servicemembers laid to rest at more than 3,700 participating cemeteries nationwide,” said Courtney George, Manager of Transportation and Industry Relations, WAA. “The Virtual Convoy which will help expand this reach within the industry through the partnership and support of State Trucking Associations across the country.”

To support PMTA reach its goal, please consider sponsoring a wreath at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pennsylvaniamotor. 

# # #

About Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association

The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association was organized in 1928. As part of a national integrated network of trucking associations and affiliates, we identify the key issues that impact the trucking industry and fight to preserve and strengthen the trucking industry and its jobs in each of the 67 counties and 2,560 municipalities in Pennsylvania, and with our elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. We also provide an array of tangible business services to our members, delivering education and awareness programs, up-to-the-minute industry news and trends, and money saving services.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. 

For more information or to sponsor a wreath please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Press contacts:

Brandon Moree
PMTA
[email protected]
717-761-7122

Sean Sullivan
Wreaths Across America
[email protected]
(207) 230-4599

All truck and bus technicians in Pennsylvania and Virginia are invited to compete in "Supertech Maryland" on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Center of Applied Technology – North in Severn, MD. This event is a hands-on contest where technicians gather to test their abilities against their peers.  It showcases the knowledge, training and skill needed by today’s maintenance professionals.

Since Pennsylvania and Virginia do not have their own competitions, and Maryland does, technicians in VA and PA can compete in Maryland’s event. If at least 5 techs from PA and VA compete, the winners will be recognized as their states’ champions and eligible to compete at the national Supertech event. Any truck or bus technician in Maryland, Pennsylvania or Virginia is invited and winners receive over $5,000 in cash and prizes such as tools, trophies, a trip to the national TMC competition and more. All contestants receive lunch, an event t-shirt, and a goody bag.

The entry deadline is May 19, 2023.  For more information, call Maryland Motor Truck Association at 410-644-4600 or go to:

www.mdtrucking.org/files/2023SuperTechRegistrationFormContestants.pdf to register.

The Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC) was established in 2001 by an act of the state legislature. Act 90 of 2022 expanded the MCSAC to 31 members, adding six representatives from the transport industry and retaining the two positions held by the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.

Members of the MCSAC include representatives of government agencies, including the General Assembly, PennDOT, the PUC, Turnpike Commission, and State Police and twenty-three public members that are appointed by the Governor to 3-year terms.  The Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association hold two positions on MCSAC and currently has two staff members appointed: Rebecca Oyler, President and CEO, and John Rigney, Director of Safety.  There are also PMTA members appointed to the committee.  They are Mr. Robert Smith, CLI Sheetz; Gregg Troian, PGT Trucking; Dennis McGee, McGee and Associates; Bob Dolan, Vorzik Transportation; and Mr. Rick Varner. 

There are four vacancies currently listed representing the Motor Carrier Manufacturing Industry, Natural Gas Transportation, Independent Trucker Interests and Construction Material Transportation.  Interested parties wishing to fill a vacancy should contact PMTA for instructions on how to do so. 

The committee is tasked with reviewing and commenting on standards for the safe operation of commercial vehicles on the highways of the Commonwealth.  The following is a list of issues examined by MCSAC:  Improving highway safety and freight transportation; Motor Carrier Safety initiatives for the Pennsylvania State Police and Public Utilities Commission; Provide advice and recommendations to stakeholders related to the motor carrier industry and safety; “Develop and maintain a forum for the exchange of ideas, needs, objectives, plans and accomplishments related to motor carrier safety.”

MCSAC has a good cross-section of members from all aspects of the motor carrier industry.  Issues relevant to the safe operation of large trucks on the highway are discussed at length, and the result is a better understanding of the challenges companies and their drivers face every day as they go about their business. 

One issue that has been discussed for many years is parking.  The lack of available truck parking puts a strain on the drivers who must be mindful of the hours-of-service regulations, keep their freight moving in a positive direction towards their destination and have the ability to find a safe area to shut down when they get to the limit of their on-duty hours.  This has a ripple affect up the supply chain. 

The good news is funding for projects is available, and Pennsylvania is moving forward in this area.  There was consensus in the February MCSAC meeting that the topic has been discussed for thirty or more years, and the time for action is now.  FHWA has acknowledged that Pennsylvania is in a good position now with an updated Freight Movement Plan that  opens the door for funding.  A  study commencing currently by the Transportation Advisory Committee will provide information on specific sites to consider for development of parking for commercial vehicles.

Other issues such as the move over law, the snow and ice law, distracted driving and other proposed Federal regulations are reviewed and discussed, and all of the stakeholders are there to comment.  The meetings are held quarterly, and the committee submits annual reports to the Governor, the Secretary of Transportation and members of the General Assembly.

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), the trucking industry’s not-for-profit research organization, is seeking truck driver input on the impact of marijuana legalization on their trucking operations.

Current CDL holders are asked to share their input here.  The data collected will be kept completely confidential.  The final report will only be presented in an aggregated, non-identifying format. 

 

If you have any questions about this survey and research, please contact Jeff Short at [email protected].

ATA Chairman Dan Van Alstine

Dan Van Alstine is President and Chief Operating Officer at Ruan Transportation Management Systems, headquartered in Des Moines, IA. Ruan, started in 1932, is a family-owned asset-based 3PL with more than 300 operations and 5,600 team members across the U.S. Through Dedicated Contract Transportation, Managed Transportation, Brokerage Services, and Valued-added Warehousing, Ruan partners with customers to deliver tailored, integrated solutions. Ruan prides itself on being a great place to work with a focus on safety, transformative technology, customer satisfaction, driver engagement, team member involvement, and giving back to the communities it serves.

Dan will speak on Thursday morning of the conference, April 20. This year's conference is set for April 18-20 at the Omni Resort at Bedford Springs. More information on the conference can be found here.