ATA leader stakes out group’s agenda

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ATA’s President and CEO Chris Spear (ATA photo)ATA’s President and CEO Chris Spear (ATA photo)

The leader of the country’s largest trucking association and lobby staked out the organization’s agenda for change earlier this week.

Chris Spear, president and CEO of the American Trucking Associations, Monday fleshed out the legislative and regulatory agenda items the group intends to pursue. ATA’s priorities include:

  • Hours of service reforms
  • Exempting carriers from California’s meal and rest break laws
  • Lobbying Congress for a fuel tax increase to fund highway infrastructure
  • Challenge states that enact trucks-only tolls
  • Open interstate driving up to CDL holders under the age of 21

Spear delivered his remarks at ATA’s 2018 Management Conference & Exhibition in Austin, Texas. He took an aggressive stance on the issues, equating them to engaging “trench warfare” and playing “a full-contact sport.”