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Author: carol
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The St. Christopher Truckers Fund (SCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves over-the-road semi-truck drivers across the nation. The SCF has two missions of service. The first mission is to provide financial assistance to drivers and their families when an illness or injury has recently caused them to be out of work. The second mission is to make the truck driver population one that is healthier through prevention programs and education. One study of professional drivers showed that over 70% of drivers interviewed had at least one health issue such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, or smoking. With this, and our health prevention mission in mind, we have implemented a tobacco cessation, a heart/total body health, and a diabetes prevention program.
Do you know that approximately one in three people in America are considered pre-diabetic and
eight of ten of those people don’t know it? What does that mean for you? If you have 100 drivers in your fleet, 33 of them are most likely pre-diabetic. That can not only affect the health of your drivers, but it can also affect your bottom line.
The SCF has earned recognition as a CDC-approved diabetes prevention program. While using the CDC curriculum for the program, we have tailored it to meet the needs of truck drivers and call it Driving Down Diabetes. Past and present participants have had much success lowering their risk of diabetes. They have collectively lost well over 5% of their body weight, lowered their blood pressure, adopted healthier eating
practices, and increased their time spent
moving. Drivers have rated our program 5 stars, and we’ve even had repeat participants who learned the tools the first time but wanted to stay on top of their health and really ingrain the practices taught into their lives. One participant stated, “It’s devoting one hour a week that can change your life”. A past participant said,
““Ten months after completing the program, I have kept off the 50lbs I lost, my A1c is in the normal range, and I recently walked in a 10-mile benefit for cancer.”
That is success for life!
What exactly is this Diabetes Prevention Program thing, you ask? Great question! SCF’s diabetes prevention program is FREE for all Class A CDL, over-the-road professional drivers who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes. Not sure if you or your drivers are at risk? Use our risk assessment tool to see if you’re eligible for the program. We encourage every at-risk driver to participate in this evidence-based lifestyle change program to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Driving Down Diabetes includes a CDC-approved curriculum, a lifestyle coach specially trained to lead the program, and a support group of other drivers who have similar goals and challenges. The program offers weekly classes focusing on nutrition, getting active, stress management, sleep, and more.
What makes our program different from others who offer similar programs? How does FREE sound? That’s right, there is no cost to participate. The program’s sponsorship by Southern Recipe has allowed us to offer this program for free, and to also provide scales, blood pressure monitors, activity trackers, resistance bands, and glucose monitors for those who need them.
SCF is beginning a new Driving Down Diabetes weekly session group on February 7th, 2023. We will meet Live on Mondays at 7 pm CT via the Zoom app. The program is a one-year commitment to making little lifestyle changes that can ultimately save or extend your life. It’s never too late to take steps to feel and be the best you possible. And it’s never too late to show your drivers you care about their health.
So, what can you as a company do?
If you are interested in learning more about any of our wellness programs, please contact Julie at julie@truckersfund.org or 865-544-8145. You can also visit our website for more information.
About Julie: Julie Dillon is the Health & Wellness Manager for St. Christopher Truckers
The 113th Tennessee General Assembly kicked off the 2023 legislative session this week in Nashville, beginning the first year of a two-year legislative session.
Legislature Elects Leadership and Constitutional Officers
Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) was elected to his third term as speaker of the Senate, with all 27 Republicans voting unanimously in favor of the current Speaker, while the six Senate Democrats abstained from voting. House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) was elected to his second full term with 76 members voting in favor. The other 22 votes went to Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemmons (D-Nashville). The House and Senate unanimously reelected Comptroller Jason Mumpower and Treasurer David Lillard for new two-year terms. Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s four-year term isn’t up until 2024.
Changes to Committee Chairs
In the House, Speaker Sexton named Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport) to succeed retired Dickson state Rep. Michael Curcio as chair of the Civil Justice Committee. Rep. David Hawk (R-Greenville) was appointed chair of the Health Subcommittee, taking over the position previously held by former Rep. Bob Ramsey (R-Maryville) who was defeated in last year’s Republican primary. Rep. Chris Todd (R-Jackson) succeeds retired Rep. Curtis Halford (R-Dyer) as chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. Sexton decided to do away with the Naming and Designating Committee, created in 2019 by former Representative and House Speaker Glen Casada (R-Franklin). New to the committee structure this year is the Population Health Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Michele Carringer (R-Knoxville).
The Senate saw minimal changes with its committee structure, with the exception of Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) appointed as the new chair of the Judiciary Committee. Sen. Jon Lundberg (R-Bristol) will continue as chair of the Education Committee. Lundberg was named interim chair last legislative session, following former Sen. Brian Kelsey’s (R-Germantown) decision to step down as chair.
Governor Lee 2023 Inauguration
Gov. Bill Lee will take the oath of office for his second term next Saturday, January 21. The inauguration ceremony itselfwill take place at 11 a.m. on Legislative Plaza in Nashville, and a full weekend of activities are planned, including a music event on Lower Broadway, a prayer service, and a dinner and ball. The theme for this year’s inaugural celebration is “Tennessee: Leading the Nation.”
Reminder: Deadline Approaching for PAC Registration Requirements
As we reported last summer, the ethics laws passed during the 2022 legislative session – which took effect July 1, 2022– made a number of changes to the reporting requirements for PACs. The law requires all PACs to certify the name and address of its treasurer, officers, and responsible individuals (any person who directly controls expenditures) with the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance. The new law also requires each PAC to identify at least one officer, not including the treasurer, and identify at least one person who directly controls who expenditures. PACs that existed prior to the July 1, 2022 effective date must submit proper proof of identification for each treasurer, officer, and responsible individual to the Registry no later than January 31, 2023. If a PAC designates a new treasurer, officer, or responsible individual after submitting its annual registration, the PAC must notify the Registry of any new designated individual within 30 days.
To read more about these changes to the annual PAC registration process, please see slide deck prepared by the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Campaign Finance.
Looking Ahead
We are expecting the remainder of January to be relatively slow. Both chambers are taking a break for the first half of next week, but will return to Capitol Hill next Friday and Saturday for Gov. Lee’s inauguration events. The first full week of committee meetings in the Senate will begin on Tuesday, January 24. The House will begin committee meetings the following week on Monday, February 6. Bills are beginning to trickle in, and we are beginning to build our bill tracking reports, which should appear as early as next week. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.
The attached NPRM has been published in the Federal Register today, Docket No. FMCSA-2016-0102.
SUMMARY: FMCSA proposes the implementation of certain requirements under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Previously, FMCSA implemented the MAP-21 requirement to increase the financial security amount for brokers from $25,000 to $75,000 for household brokers and from $10,000 to $75,000 for all other property brokers and, for the first time, established financial security requirements for freight forwarders. The agency proposes regulations in five separate areas: Assets readily available; immediate suspension of broker/freight forwarder operating authority; surety or trust responsibilities in cases of broker/freight forwarder financial failure or insolvency; enforcement authority; and entities eligible to provide trust funds for form BMC-85 trust fund filings.
Public comments are due by March 6, 2023.
PDF : PUBLISHED: Broker and Freight Forwarder Financial Responsibility
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NEWS RELEASE
Highway Transport’s Pam Randol selected as finalist for NTTC Driver of the Year Grand Champion
The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) has recognized Highway Transport driver Pamela “Pam” Randol as one of eight finalists in the 2022-2023 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Grand Champion program.
The eight finalists advance to the final round of the selection process in Arlington, Virginia, where a panel of industry professionals will judge contestants on their knowledge of the tank truck industry, dedication to safety, ability to communicate the industry’s messages, overall safe driving record and influence outside of their driving responsibilities. The 2022-2023 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Grand Champion will be unveiled in Washington, D.C., during National Tank Truck Carrier’s 78th Annual Conference in early May 2023.
“Pam’s passion for the profession of trucking began in her childhood and continued into her military service during Desert Storm,” Highway Transport CEO Marshall Franklin said. “Pam’s spirit shines with everything she does every day. She builds relationships wherever she goes, and this has a positive impact on our industry. We are grateful for her service at Highway Transport and her commitment to her fellow drivers and colleagues.”
A professional driver since 1992, Randol has been driving tank trucks for three and a half years. Prior to that, Randol served in the U.S. Army from 1987-1992, during which time she served in Desert Storm. While deployed, Randol drove a 20-ton dump truck as part of an engineering unit that completed projects such as building roads.
“Part of what drives me is when somebody says, ‘You can’t do that,’ ” Randol said. “Well let me show you something: I’m just going to keep doing it until I succeed. I’m not afraid of anything. When I was eight years old, I saw a convoy of trucks and said to myself, ‘I’m going to drive a truck in the Army.’ I did, and the bug got me – I’m doing this for the rest of my life. My experience in the military showed me what I’m capable of.”
Randol’s achievement as a finalist marks the third time in company history that a Highway Transport driver has been selected for recognition and awards by the NTTC. Last year, the organization bestowed its highest national award to Highway Transport’s Thomas Frain, naming him the NTTC 2021-2022 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Grand Champion. Highway Transport driver Alen Smailovic was recognized as one of the eight finalists in the 2020-2021 contest.
NTTC is a trade association representing more than 500 companies that specialize in transporting bulk or related services throughout North America. The Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary tank truck company driver or independent contractor who serves the industry with the most reliable and safe transportation of liquid or dry bulk commodities. The winner represents the best the tank truck industry has to offer with a demonstrated record of safety and a tireless involvement in community and charity organizations.
“Safety is the number one priority,” Randol added. “I’m constantly thinking of safety. And I try to treat other people the way I want to be treated. I’m in a Highway Transport truck, and they’re glad to see that truck pull in. But then when they see me, that makes it more special for me and taking pride in my job.”
Thanks in great part to the diligence and safety record of its drivers, including Randol, Highway Transport earned the Responsible Care® Partner of the Year Award from the American Chemistry Council in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Highway Transport also has received recognition as a “Top Companies for Women to Work For in Transportation” by Women In Trucking in 2021 and 2022.
Highway Transport currently is hiring experienced drivers, and candidates can learn more at Drive4Highway.com.
About Highway Transport
Highway Transport is a Knoxville, Tennessee-based company providing bulk transportation of specialty chemicals. The tanker fleet operates from 20-plus service centers in major chemical manufacturing areas across the U.S. with a fleet of 500+ tanker trucks and over 900 stainless steel trailers. Highway Transport has service centers in the following U.S. markets: Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Kingsport TN; Chicago and Kankakee in Illinois; Detroit; Charlotte; Atlanta and McDonough, GA; Bridgeport, NJ; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA; Cincinnati and Toledo, OH; Baton Rouge and Lake Charles, LA; Houston, Dallas, Freeport and Garland, TX.
Highway Transport received the Responsible Care® Partner of the Year Award in 2019, 2021 and 2022. The Responsible Care® organization recognizes partners with companies that have superb performance and safety records involved in the transportation of chemicals. Discover more in-depth information about Highway Transport by visiting HighwayTransport.com.
Photo Caption:
Highway Transport driver Pam Randol has been named one of eight finalists in the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) 2022-2023 Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year Grand Champion program.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 13, 2022 |
For more information: Lauren Miller Moxley Carmichael 865-599-4050
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FMCSA is proposing to narrow the scope of regulations from which relief is provided automatically for motor carriers providing direct assistance when an emergency has been declared. Through the proposed changes, the Agency would ensure that the relief granted through emergency declarations is appropriate and tailored to the specifics of the circumstances and emergency being addressed. The Agency also proposes revisions to the process for extending an automatic emergency exemption where circumstances warrant.
Public comments must be received on or before February 6, 2023.
House and Senate GOP re-elect top leadership team
Tennessee House Republicans unanimously voted current Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) to lead the House of Representatives for a third term. The House GOP Caucus also voted to reelect Rep. William Lamberth (R-Portland) as Majority Leader, Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby) as Caucus Chairman, and Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) to serve as Majority Whip. Rep. Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville) was chosen to serve his second term as Speaker Pro Tempore, and Rep. Mark Cochran (R-Englewood) was elected to his first term as Assistant Majority Leader.
The Senate Republican Caucus voted current Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) to a fourth term as Speaker, and to return Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) as Majority Leader and Sen. Ken Yager (R-Kingston) as Caucus Chairman.
The national dynamic of election day drama and razor-thin margins was noticeably absent in Tennessee last night, as the GOP once again dominated elections at all levels and reaffirmed Tennessee’s reputation as one of the most reliably-red states in the country. The night was punctuated by Governor Bill Lee’s resounding 65-33 victory over Democrat Jason Martin, guaranteeing Lee a second term and improving significantly upon his 21-point landslide win in 2018. Lee’s victory means that it has now been eleven years since a Democrat occupied Tennessee’s Governor’s office, when Phil Bredesen served from 2003 until 2011. Indeed, Bredesen’s 2006 victory marks the last time a Democrat won a statewide election in the Volunteer State.
The GOP also grew its Congressional delegation from Tennessee to 8-1 as Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles prevailed decisively in the newly-drawn Fifth Congressional District, defeating State Sen. Heidi Campbell (D-Nashville) by 14 points and ensuring that Nashville would have a Republican in Congress for the first time since Reconstruction. Meanwhile, Republicans maintained their supermajority in the General Assembly, winning most contested races by 2:1 margins or more and actually picking up one House seat along the way, expanding their House tally to 77 of 99 overall seats.
Understated Campaign Pays Off for Lee
The widely popular Lee ran a low-key campaign, spending relatively little time on the trail, running “soft” commercials that laid out his economic accomplishments and pro-family record, and barely acknowledging his opponent. He touted the fact that he is now two for two in positive campaigns, noting that once again he refused to air any negative ads. Virtually all major media outlets called the race for Lee as soon as the polls closed.
Perhaps the highlight of Lee’s victory party in Franklin last night was the surprise appearance of First Lady Maria Lee, who has been out of the public eye since being diagnosed with lymphoma in August. The Governor noted that the First Lady couldn’t stay home, adding that the cancer battle has “been tough – but she’s tougher.”
Lee also highlighted infrastructure as a top priority for his second term. He noted that Tennessee is simply not building enough and maintaining enough roads to keep up with the incredible growth, pledging that “you’re going to be hearing a lot more about that, starting tomorrow even.”
Congressional Recap: TN-5 Pushes Congressional Delegation from 7-2 to 8-1
Ogles’ win culminated a long journey for the Tennessee Republican Party, which sought to use the redistricting process to add one more red seat to Tennessee’s Congressional delegation. Legislative leadership effectively divided Tennessee’s Fifth Congressional seat – Nashville’s seat, and one traditionally classified as “solid Democrat” – into three separate parts, melding each into a strongly Republican district. Democrats loudly protested the move to no avail, and longtime Congressman Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) announced that he would not seek re-election for the newly constituted seat. That set off a feeding frenzy of Republican hopefuls, including more than one that were relative newcomers to Nashville. Ogles emerged from a crowded primary field as the Republican nominee, outperforming other better-funded candidates. Ogles, who promoted himself as “Tennessee’s most conservative mayor,” faced respectable opposition in State Senator Campbell, but in the end prevailed by 14 points. Ogles was featured in the Washington Post last week as one of a new class of “hard line Republicans” that could push for issues such as impeachment and investigations upon arriving in Washington.
While Tennessee’s Seventh Congressional District also received a large chunk of Nashville/Davidson County, it did nothing to dampen the performance of incumbent Mark Green (R-Clarksville), who won a third term in Washington thanks to a 60-38 victory over Odessa Kelly (D-Nashville). The remaining Nashville portion was combined into the Sixth District, where Republican incumbent John Rose also won in a landslide by a 66-34 margin.
Republican U.S. Reps. Tim Burchett, Scott DesJarlais, Chuck Fleischmann, Diana Harshbarger and David Kustoff were all successful in their reelection bids. Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Memphis) also won reelection, keeping him Tennessee’s lone remaining Democratic congressman.
Legislative Update: Few Upsets, But A Number of New Faces
There were few headlines in the legislative races, with numerous uncontested races on the ballot and many of the contested races featuring lopsided outcomes. In perhaps the most notable outcome, longtime incumbent John Mark Windle, a former Democrat that now is classified as an Independent, lost his reelection bid in House District 41 to Republican Ed Butler by a 53-47 margin. Windle’s seat was significant in that it was the lone rural legislative seat not held by the Republicans, who have dramatically reversed Tennessee’s legislative makeup over the last 15 years by eroding the Democrats’ stronghold over Tennessee’s rural districts, turning them exclusively red.
While Windle was the only incumbent to lose his election bid, there will still be several new faces when the legislature convenes in January. Indeed, there will be 17 new members in the 113th General Assembly, including Senators Brent Taylor (R-Memphis, succeeding Brian Kelsey) and Charlane Oliver (D-Nashville, succeeding Brenda Gilmore), as well as Reps. Caleb Hemmer (D-Nashville; Dist. 59), and Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin, replacing Glen Casada). And in one of the more interesting developments of the offseason, community activist Justin Jones (D-Nashville) – who was once banned from the Capitol for throwing a paper cup at then-Speaker Casada – is now part of the General Assembly, having prevailed in an uncontested election to represent House District 52.
Looking Ahead: Infrastructure, Education, Criminal Justice Expected to Highlight 2023 Session
In his victory speech last night, Governor Lee expressed his goal to address Tennessee’s infrastructure needs without going into debt or raising taxes, which will be a challenge in itself. Infrastructure will not be the only focus however, as issues such as parental rights and school choice also look to take center stage. Lee argued that “we can fund public schools and provide alternative opportunities for children at the same time if we are committed to funding students and not systems.”
Also look for considerable attention on criminal justice issues. The “Truth in Sentencing” law that was championed by the legislature late in the 2022 session and passed without Lee’s signature became a wedge issue between Lee and legislative leadership. The issue once again rose to the surface following two high-profile crimes in Memphis in September, where it was revealed that in both cases the assailants had only served partial sentences for previous crimes. That gave rise to a new series of calls for sentencing reform, especially among juveniles, and in response lawmakers created a joint committee to review the sentencing and supervision of criminal defendants, in order to provide additional safeguards to the public. Republican leadership has announced plans to push for even stricter sentencing laws in 2023.
The 113th General Assembly is scheduled to convene at noon on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
One of the major challenges that the state of Tennessee will face in the future will be maintaining the state highway fund at a level needed to continue to repair and replace roads and bridges but to also construct new highways. Anita Wadhwani with the Tennessee Lookout Report recently published an excellent article. A link to that article is: https://tennesseelookout.com/briefs/advisory-group-projects-looming-deficits-in-tennessee-road-and-highway-project-funding/.
As noted in her article, there was a hearing where representatives of the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (“TACIR”) provided an update which should get the attention of not only the legislature but also the trucking industry. TACIR testimony indicated by 2040 10% of all vehicles on Tennessee’s roadways are projected to be electric. It is also expected that the average national vehicle fuel efficiency will increase from 23-miles-per-gallon to 30-miles-per-gallon during the same timeframe. As a result, based on loss of fuel tax revenue, fuel efficiency and inflation, it is projected that Tennessee will see a $399 million reduction in its gas tax spending power.
The challenge faced by the State to maintain the highway fund at a level to pay for repairs and construction of new projects will be challenging. Not only will there be a decrease of revenue but the fact that the state fuel tax is not indexed for inflation will certainly cause issues that the legislature will want to review in the near future. As noted in the article, Tennessee has 96,000 miles of public roads and 20,000 bridges but federal government funding is designated only for about 1/5 of all of the state’s roads and highways.
We expect this issue to remain on the radar of the legislature in the near future with all options being on the table. Recent options that were recommended include raising registration fees for electric vehicles, implementing indexing on the state fuel tax, and even the possibility of reviewing some type of fee based on mileage.
We are heading into the final days of the 2022 election season. Thanks to your support, TruckPAC has been very active in helping legislators who are supportive of the industry. TTA along with Adams and Reese hosted a dinner in Nashville on October 19, 2022 in support of House Speaker Cameron Sexton and his leadership PAC. As always, thank you for your support!