There is currently much ado about this question, for, like always, everyone claims victory. Unfortunately, now many of the truckers are now confused as to who actually is victorious. They also, due to the confusion, are having issues figuring out what this legislation could mean to them.
So, let's look at the two sides, then look at the human factor. The ATA (American Trucking Association) and OOIDA (Owner Operators Independent Driver Association) went to war again with EOBR's. The ATA won, in their opinion, in the fact that when the transportation bill passed, so did the EOBR. OOIDA won, in their opinion, for getting federal funding stripped for EOBR's.
It is my opinion that OOIDA's claim of victory is claimed based on knowledge that 90% of the truckers haven't done their research. Out of this 90%, about 60% of them are brainwashed into believing anything that OOIDA says, for OOIDA wouldn't lie to them in their opinion. Ultimately, in this "victory," OOIDA and the drivers they claim to represent, all lose. It's kind of like the debate between OOIDA and ATA on Fox Business Channel. ATA came out swinging, and OOIDA was left stuttering. (It's on YouTube, you should watch it.)
So, how does ATA win overall? The ATA first and foremost had the mandate for EOBR's/elogs pass both legislative bodies. It stayed in the highway bill, save for the funding. The funding, however, is not a done deal either. The senate appropriations committee will now look into the funding portion. The funding may stay intact. Of course, OOIDA will convince you that the only way the truckers won't have EOBR's is if you continue to tell the lawmakers you don't want funding going to EOBR's. Will this be effective?
Groups can create a fudiciary account, and have the government control and spend these fudiciary funds the exact way they want them spent, be it research, or whatever. So, strip the funds from the bill. The ATA, Public Citizen, Teamsters, and every other special interest group wanting these EOBR's can cultivate said fudiciary account for the government to do any research and tweaking on the law they'd like without needing a penny from the taxpayer dollar.
What will the lack of federal funds mean for truckers? This is the part that everyone needs to understand. This means no grant money or other form of government assistance will be available to owner operators or small companies to allow help with the enormous upfront costs of these devices. So, it'll be close down the doors or lease onto the mega fleets, essentially ending the independent spirit that is still in the industry. That's right, those who called in and had everyone sans their dog call in, asked for grant money and everything else to disappear from the mix.
This move by OOIDA shocks me to say the least. The federal grant money for APU's was well received by the group. The government gave them money toward APU's, then they'd sell them to their members, essentially being paid twice for one thing. They had no problem utilizing grant money for the "rest area" they have in Missouri, that offers truckers a trash filled lot and disgusting port-a-potties. So, why, when they knew EOBR's would be passed, did they ensure the very people they represent would have federal funding, which includes grant money, stripped from them? A "no go" on federal funding means ALL federal funding.
Take it from me, your voice. You need to take action without fear mongers encouraging you to slit your own throat. Talk to your representatives, have everyone you know, sans your dog, do the same thing. Tell them to either get rid of the EOBR's altogether or to allow federal funding. You don't want one without the other.
So, let's look at the two sides, then look at the human factor. The ATA (American Trucking Association) and OOIDA (Owner Operators Independent Driver Association) went to war again with EOBR's. The ATA won, in their opinion, in the fact that when the transportation bill passed, so did the EOBR. OOIDA won, in their opinion, for getting federal funding stripped for EOBR's.
It is my opinion that OOIDA's claim of victory is claimed based on knowledge that 90% of the truckers haven't done their research. Out of this 90%, about 60% of them are brainwashed into believing anything that OOIDA says, for OOIDA wouldn't lie to them in their opinion. Ultimately, in this "victory," OOIDA and the drivers they claim to represent, all lose. It's kind of like the debate between OOIDA and ATA on Fox Business Channel. ATA came out swinging, and OOIDA was left stuttering. (It's on YouTube, you should watch it.)
So, how does ATA win overall? The ATA first and foremost had the mandate for EOBR's/elogs pass both legislative bodies. It stayed in the highway bill, save for the funding. The funding, however, is not a done deal either. The senate appropriations committee will now look into the funding portion. The funding may stay intact. Of course, OOIDA will convince you that the only way the truckers won't have EOBR's is if you continue to tell the lawmakers you don't want funding going to EOBR's. Will this be effective?
Groups can create a fudiciary account, and have the government control and spend these fudiciary funds the exact way they want them spent, be it research, or whatever. So, strip the funds from the bill. The ATA, Public Citizen, Teamsters, and every other special interest group wanting these EOBR's can cultivate said fudiciary account for the government to do any research and tweaking on the law they'd like without needing a penny from the taxpayer dollar.
What will the lack of federal funds mean for truckers? This is the part that everyone needs to understand. This means no grant money or other form of government assistance will be available to owner operators or small companies to allow help with the enormous upfront costs of these devices. So, it'll be close down the doors or lease onto the mega fleets, essentially ending the independent spirit that is still in the industry. That's right, those who called in and had everyone sans their dog call in, asked for grant money and everything else to disappear from the mix.
This move by OOIDA shocks me to say the least. The federal grant money for APU's was well received by the group. The government gave them money toward APU's, then they'd sell them to their members, essentially being paid twice for one thing. They had no problem utilizing grant money for the "rest area" they have in Missouri, that offers truckers a trash filled lot and disgusting port-a-potties. So, why, when they knew EOBR's would be passed, did they ensure the very people they represent would have federal funding, which includes grant money, stripped from them? A "no go" on federal funding means ALL federal funding.
Take it from me, your voice. You need to take action without fear mongers encouraging you to slit your own throat. Talk to your representatives, have everyone you know, sans your dog, do the same thing. Tell them to either get rid of the EOBR's altogether or to allow federal funding. You don't want one without the other.
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