THIRD QUARTER 2021 • VOL. 9, NO. 3 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Legislative Session Updates Time is Ticking on I-81 Committee Profile: Government Affairs For Young Drivers, NY Businesses LEGISLATION CLEARS THE WAY
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Published by 1430 Spring Hill Road, 6th Floor McLean, VA 22102 Phone: (800) 369-6220 www.naylor.com Publisher Claire Brimmer Editor Leslee Masters Project Manager Amanda Glass Advertising Sales Director Adam Firestone Advertising Sales Ray Strickland Jason Zawada Marketing Austin Dunn Project Coordinator Paige Durban Design & Layout Pankaj Kumar Bharti ©2021 Naylor, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2021/ NYT-Q0321/3505 On our cover: Daniel Kerrick, Canandaigua Driving School. Legislation allowing drivers as young as 18 to obtain a Class A CDL has been a real game changer for the industry. See story on page 10. Published for Trucking Association of New York 7 Corporate Drive Clifton Park, NY 12065 Phone: (518) 458-9696 Fax: (518) 458-2525 www.nytrucks.org THIRD QUARTER 2021 • VOL. 9, NO. 3 President’s Message.............................................7 New York City Legislative Session Update......................................................8 New York State Legislative Session Update......................................................9 New Opportunities for New Yorkers and New York Businesses................................10 Measuring Success in NYC ..............................12 Successful Stops: Halting Legislation Detrimental to Industry ....................................13 Time is Ticking on I-81.......................................14 Committee Profile: Government Affairs.....15 Index of Advertisers...........................................18 THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost | 5
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Chairman Barry Panicola Sprague Operating Resources LLC Vice Chairman Mark Giuffre United Parcel Service Secretary Terry Borwegen Borwegen Trucking, Inc. Treasurer Chris Mix Mr. Bult’s, Inc. Immediate Past Chair Chris Mix Mr. Bult’s, Inc. REGIONAL VICE CHAIRS Western Region Joe Berti Speed Global Services Genesee Region Sean Dubman Wegmans Food Market Central Region Stephen Erwin Clinton’s Ditch Co-Op., Inc. Eastern Region Andy Laing DeCrescente Distributing Co., Inc. Metro Region Zach Miller NYTruckStop.com REGIONAL SECRETARY Western Region John Stewart HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. Genesee Region Robert Peckham Vnomics Corp. Central Region Steve Sperbeck ERL Intermodal Eastern Region Becky Derway GilDer Transport Solutions, Inc. Metro Region Kenneth Tirone Hub Truck Rental Corporation COUNCIL CHAIRS Maintenance Council Swede Oun O & K Truck Repairs, Ltd. Safety Council Joseph Peplinski Haylor, Freyer & Coon, Inc. Safety Group John Simon Grand Island Sales & Service, Inc. AT-LARGE MEMBERS Helen Brooks FedEx Corporation Joe Fitzpatrick Lightning Express Delivery Service, Inc. JoAnn Hayes George Hildebrandt, Inc. Penny Husted Charles J. Husted, Inc. ATA STATE VICE PRESIDENT Stephen Wadhams Wadhams Enterprises, Inc. STAFF President Kendra Hems Vice President Kate Kennett Director of Membership Relations Jon Sherman Metro Region Operations Manager René R. Luciano Office Manager Rebecca Ackner Program and Events Manager Francesca Pardi Workforce Development Coordinator Rusty Stetzel Executive Assistant Jennifer Andrelos DEAR VALUED MEMBER At TANY we have the unique challenge of having to navigate our way through the Capitol in Albany as well as City Hall in Manhattan. With both governments entering 2021 with projected budget deficits, the pandemic only exacerbated already precarious situations. Trying to navigate legislation through the halls of government is a tricky endeavor in normal times, but 2021 was anything but normal. TANY started 2021 with clear goals both in Albany and New York City. Our Statewide and Metro Region Government Affairs Committees began work early and were laser focused on the topics and issues both wanted to impact. Throughout the sessions both committees met regularly to provide updates, discuss strategy and create a road map for success. I would like to thank all members of both committees, especially our chairs Ken Johnson and Zach Miller, who head up the Statewide and Metro Region Government Affairs Committees, respectively. These two teams, along with the seasoned guidance of our contract lobbyists, were able to achieve significant wins in an otherwise disappointing legislative session. The passage of TANY’s younger driver legislation will open the door for high school students to consider a career as a professional tractor trailer driver, something that was previously not an option until the age of 21. In New York City, TANY was successful in introducing, and ultimately passing, language that aligns the city’s antiquated truck marking requirements with federal requirements. And while not always grabbing headlines, but just as important as the legislation we passed, we worked diligently to beat back proposals that would have added administrative and financial burdens to the trucking industry. We partnered with statewide business leaders, economic development groups and other statewide professional associations to push back on legislation which would negatively impact nearly every industry in New York State. Through partnership and collaboration, we were successful in preventing some bad-business bills from gaining any momentum. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the legislature did pass the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act). However, the group was successful in advocating for amendments to the law that would mitigate the impact of this bill on employers. The unspoken theme of this letter is involvement. It was through the involvement of members and other organizations that TANY was able to secure some positive outcomes in a negative legislative environment. Members who participated during TANY’s Call on Albany program, testified during City Council hearings, met with legislative and regulatory representatives, and offered ideas and feedback during Government Affairs Committee meetings all made a difference. We often hear people say that the only way to make a change is to get involved. There is no better testament to that statement than what we witnessed this year. Stay safe, Kendra Hems, TANY President PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost | 7
ADVOCACY NEW YORK CITY LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE TANY and CMW Strategies have been working with the NYC Council over the past several months on long-standing issues that have been exacerbated with the pandemic. With the introduction of outdoor dining and closed streets for outdoor social distancing, curb access has become an even more limited commodity in New York City. Understanding the precarious situation faced by the industry while trying to keep up with consumer demand, the council approached TANY several months ago seeking feedback on a package of legislation geared toward improving freight delivery. The Council’s Transportation Committee held a hearing on the package in May. TANY continues to work with council staff to iron out a few remaining concerns. The package, which is expected to pass later this fall, will result in a number of positive changes for the industry, including: • Expanding commercial loading zones citywide. • Reforming the commercial metered parking system and expanding the number of hours vehicles can park in the central business district (CBD) from three to eight hours. • Creating micro-distribution centers with dedicated space for delivery companies. by Danna DeBlasio, Vice President CMW Strategies • Redesigning and updating truck routes and replacing truck route signage throughout the city. Additionally, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) released their long-awaited Smart Truck Management Plan outlining goals for the future of freight in New York City, including safety, sustainability, efficiency, partnerships and knowledge. We will continue to work with the NYCDOT Commissioner and the Freight Mobility Unit to make sure the trucking industry is represented during these discussions and weighing in when policies are being formed. TRUCKING CHAMPIONS IN GOVERNMENT While navigating a remote government proved to be quite challenging, TANY was fortunate to have strong champions on our side. In the City Council, Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan) and Small Business Chair Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx) continue to be great partners. Council Member Gjonaj authored and passed legislation in the Council to remove burdensome regulations that require the posting of business addresses on trucks. Chair Rodriguez has cited TANY on numerous occasions as a crucial partner in improving New York City’s transportation system. The industry is also very fortunate to have great partners at NYCDOT, specifically Charles Ukegbu and Diniece Mendes in the Freight Mobility Unit. NYCDOT and the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) organized a driver appreciation day at Hunts Point Market to give well-deserved recognition to the hardworking men and women of the trucking industry. Earlier this summer, TANY was invited and participated in a ticker tape parade honoring essential workers hosted by Mayor de Blasio. The trucking industry was recognized along with other essential workers, including health care workers, transit employees and utility providers. TANY MEMBER ENGAGEMENT As we head into the next phase of recovery for the city and state’s economy, it is crucial that policy makers and elected officials hear from our members who make up this hard-working industry. It is important that we draw a connection between the trucking industry and the people we represent to create a human element to trucks. This will drive the narrative to elected officials that when they talk about trucks, they need to think of the driver who is behind the wheel delivering critical goods and supplies. A LOOK AHEAD January brings an entirely new City Council and an administration in transition. CMW is ready to hit the ground running, continuing the work of the last several years by fostering existing relationships, building new relationships, being proactive on issues important to the industry, staying out of the crosshairs and elevating TANY with the New York City electorate. mp www.mvfreightliner.com 315-736-3330 • [email protected] 703 Oriskany Blvd, Yorkville, NY 13495 Central NY State’s Full Service Freightliner Dealer 919450_Mohawk.indd 1 8 6/27/18 4:16 PM | milepost • THIRD QUARTER 2021
ADVOCACY NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION UPDATE by Chris Bombardier, Managing Director, Mercury Public Affairs The 2020 legislative session proved to be both challenging and successful for the Trucking Association of New York. With Capitol and legislative office buildings closed to the public, many legislators worked remotely by holding sessions, committee meetings and conferences virtually. The lack of in-person meetings, hallway conversations outside the legislative chambers or lobby days (although we held successful virtual lobby days) presented unique lobbying challenges during a session that had serious issues to tackle, including a massive state budget deficit, the pandemic and unfolding scandals involving the administration. Despite that, the trucking industry forged ahead with our number one priority: passing legislation allowing younger drivers 18 to 21 years old to obtain a Class A CDL. The driver shortage, which has gotten much worse during the pandemic, needed this legislative action so that our industry could compete for talent coming out of schools and not lose prospective employees to other industries. We spent considerable time talking with legislators, working with program and counsel staff on drafting the legislation, and working closely with our sponsors, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-123) and Senator Tim Kennedy (D-63), as they navigated the bill through committees. The legislation was passed by both houses at the end of the legislative session and now awaits the governor’s signature. We successfully defeated a proposal in the Executive Budget that would increase fines and suspend vehicle registrations for over-height vehicles on parkways. This proposal was ultimately rejected in the final budget, thanks to Assembly Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Magnarelli (D-129) and Senator Kennedy. We also ensured that numerous bills that would have a negative impact on our industry remained in committee. We worked with industry partners on legislation that will require prevailing wage on the delivery of aggregate supply construction material at public work construction projects. The association engaged the legislative sponsors and continue to work with them and the governor’s office to ensure this legislation, if not outright vetoed, is as narrowly tailored as possible. We are reviewing proposals and seeking additional information on the I-81 project in Syracuse and continue to oppose the implementation of congestion pricing in the Manhattan business zone. TANY is currently preparing for the transition of Lt. Governor Hochul into the governor’s role due to the resignation of Gov. Andrew Cuomo. TANY has developed a good relationship with Lt. Gov. Hochul over the years. Members may recall that she served as the keynote speaker for the association’s Virtual Awards Ceremony in 2020 and spoke very highly of the work the industry has done to help the state. While the coronavirus presented challenges, it also presented opportunities. We developed stronger relationships with key legislators, were able to show how critical the industry is to the state and were recognized for what the industry did to keep New York running during the worst of the pandemic. As we move into the fall and prepare for the upcoming session, we will continue to be a strong voice for the industry at the Capitol. mp HEAVY DUTY PARTS 964385_DeCarolis.indd 1 THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost 19/07/19 5:00 PM | 9
FEATURE TANY and our Government Affairs Committee has been working for years to find opportunities to open and expand the trucking industry to more New Yorkers. One of the most impactful ways to accomplish this has been for New York State to join the other 49 states in the country in allowing younger adults the opportunity to obtain their Class A CDL for intrastate operation. After much planning, effort and dedication, TANY and our team were able to secure this potentially game-changing legislation. “This has been a long time coming,” said Kendra Hems, president of TANY. “We have been working diligently on this issue on behalf of our members. Passage of this legislation will open new career opportunities for students that may not have previously considered the trucking industry.” Hems added that the legislation will support TANY workforce development efforts that have been targeted to younger adults to learn more about the trucking industry. THE CHALLENGE As of January 2021, New York was in lonely company. Only the Empire State, Hawaii and Alaska did not have laws on the books which would allow drivers as young as 18 years old the ability to obtain a Class A CDL for intrastate operation, and New York was the only state that limited the age to 21. The most these younger New York drivers could obtain was a Class B CDL, restricting them to smaller vehicles with limited driving NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW YORKERS AND NEW YORK BUSINESSES opportunities, and discouraging them from considering the trucking industry as a viable career choice. THE SOLUTION TANY and members of the Government Affairs Committee recognized this as a major roadblock in recruiting younger drivers to the trucking industry. With the understanding that lowering the age of eligibility for a Class A license for intrastate operation is just one tool in addressing the driver shortage, the committee decided to move forward with legislation. As with most legislative initiatives the process moves slowly. The Government Affairs Committee began the effort by educating legislators about the issue, why it was important and the need to make a change, in this case amending the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law. Our members worked to inform lawmakers of two critical components: safety and economic development. The general thought is that younger drivers are less safe than their more seasoned counterparts and that they take more risks. While this may be true among the general population, the facts in our industry tell a different story. Data from states that allow younger drivers to operate Class A CDL vehicles show that younger CDL drivers (in this age group) have a better safety record than their older counterparts. Industry experts believe this is attributed to the fact that these drivers have just completed their training and still have a healthy fear of not following all proper protocols. It was also important to educate lawmakers that these individuals were not the average teenage driver. These young men and women were choosing a career in the trucking industry and clearly understand the importance of an accident-free driving record and its impact on their ability to be successful. Through ongoing efforts to prove the trucking industry’s impact on Ben Korpiel, Leonard’s Express. 10 | milepost • THIRD QUARTER 2021
the economy, our members have done a great job in educating local, regional and state leaders of the role our industry and members play in economic development throughout New York. When our members met and spoke with lawmakers, they were able to draw a clear connection to opening up opportunities for a segment of our population that was being held at bay. Armed with specific data and economic forecasting, the point was hammered home: Amending the law would translate into more and better paying jobs, allowing our younger New Yorkers the ability to begin a career much quicker, and could translate into a stronger overall economy. THE OUTCOME There are any number of roads a piece of legislation can go down on its journey. This includes wrong turns and dead ends in nearly all directions. Our legislative consultants worked closely with TANY and our Government Affairs Committee to identify champions of the bill, as well as those who were seeking additional information while deciding their vote. We were fortunate to gain the support of two Upstate lawmakers who worked to get the bill into and out of the transportation committees in both the Assembly and the Senate, to the floor of both houses and ultimately to a vote, which passed. Senator Timothy Kennedy (D-Buffalo) and Assemblymember Donna Lupardo (D-Binghamton) deserve our members’ appreciation for their tireless support. After the bill passed the Assembly and awaited a vote by the Senate, the 2020-2021 legislative session was quickly drawing to a close. On the final day of session, Senator Kennedy was able to bring the bill to the floor where it passed with bipartisan support. At the time of this writing, the bill is on the governor’s desk awaiting signature. Signing of the bill will bring to a successful end a process to which TANY and our members have been committed for the last four years. What started as an idea and took countless hours and resources will become a reality and can have a positive impact on the trucking industry for years to come. mp IT’S A GAME CHANGER Once the Younger Driver bill becomes law, there is a tremendous opportunity for the trucking industry in New York to develop and create a new crop of professionals. But it will not be as simple as putting a help wanted sign in front of business with a new message: “Now accepting 18- to 20-year-olds.” Separate from this legislation TANY hired Rusty Stetzel in 2020 as our workforce development coordinator. Stetzel lives in the Rochester area and was a truck driver for more than 35 years and an active member of TANY. Within the past year, Stetzel has been connecting with companies and a variety of educational institutions – including high schools, community colleges and universities – to educate young adults about the industry and its benefits to create a pipeline for future employees. He has been very successful in establishing opportunities for collaboration and is connecting with students in their schools and opening the doors to a successful and rewarding career. “I believe this (legislation) is a big game changer,” said Stetzel. “It allows students the opportunity to get a Class A CDL now and start a career now. Before, we had to introduce them to the industry and hope they would get re-engaged when they turned 21. Many did not; we lost them to other careers.” Stetzel said there is an interest among younger adults as many are learning to drive and taking driver’s education in high school. This is especially true for students in Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) programs across the state, he said. Once the bill becomes law, the first hurdle will be to inform students, teachers and parents that this new opportunity exists. In the meantime, Stetzel says the best way for businesses to actively recruit is to contact him so that he can work with the schools to get students introduced to our members. “My goal is to create fieldtrips to get the students to visit companies, see the big rigs, get a tour of the facilities and a hands-on experience of what they can expect. We know that when the students get this real-world experience, they will want to join the industry and get started on a career right away.” Our members will be hearing more from Stetzel about our efforts as TANY tries to multiply his successful efforts across the state. While our members are reading this issue of Milepost, we are already working on the next issue, which will focus on workforce development. Let us know if there is a topic, issue and/or trend you have questions about or would like us to address and we will look into it and get answers. Share your thoughts with us at [email protected]. Please note workforce development in the subject line. THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost | 11
ADVOCACY MEASURING SUCCESS IN NYC hile the statewide Government Affairs Committee was busy this year, the Metro Region Government Affairs Subcommittee (MRGAC) was not outdone. The MRGAC has a unique set of challenges as more trucks, especially delivery, are on city streets now more than ever. While the coronavirus pandemic kept most people at home and out of the office, their demand for goods only increased, and with more and more product being delivered to their doors, we have witnessed a shift in consumer trends that will likely never fully return to the “old ways.” In our Metro Region this means more trucks and, unfortunately, less space. This is due to the desire by some to create more bike lanes, in addition to pandemic-related policies like Open Streets and Open Restaurants, which reduce already limited parking space. This give and take between business, consumer demand and common sense safety will not subside and only further emphasizes the need for a clear voice for the trucking community in New York City. This subcommittee has made great progress in recent years, and their efforts secured a major victory for all truck drivers who work in any of New York City’s five boroughs. This accomplishment was a recently passed vehicle marking amendment which standardizes the lettering to be placed on the sides of commercial vehicles. The New York City Council voted to adopt the federal regulation on vehicle markings, which will save our members time and money. Under this law, trucks are required to be marked on both sides of the vehicle with their USDOT number and the legal business name or DBA as it appears on their USDOT registration. The lettering must be in a color that contrasts with the background color of the vehicle and must be visible at a distance of 50 feet. In passing this law, the City Council terminated a decades-old, city-only requirement that all commercial trucks had to display their full address on both sides of the vehicle in lettering at least three inches high. Under the old requirements, if a vehicle did not have this information and/or if it were not approximately midway vertically on the door and side panels it was considered an “unaltered vehicle” and subject to tickets for the purposes of commercial vehicle parking. Countless truck drivers and companies have been penalized with tickets over the years due to this unique New York City-only requirement. According to MRGAC Chair Zach Miller, the next step is for NYCDOT to list the rule change publicly, receive comments and rewrite the rules. While this process will take time, it is a major victory for TANY. Miller adds, “This was one of our first goals when we created the subcommittee and it is exciting to have accomplished it.” TANY will keep our members updated on the rollout of the amended law. mp W • Fully Licensed Repair and Inspection Shop - Repair vessels, Test and Certify - VIKs, Pressure and Thickness Tests - Welding and Fabrication - National Board R Certification • Build Frames & Replace Suspensions • NYSIs • All Types of Mechanical Repairs • Over 30 years of Excellence Hazmat Environmental Group, 60 Commerce Drive, Buffalo, NY 14218 716-748-8267 | www.hazmatinc.com/equipment-service-maintenance TANKER MAINTENANCE Buffalo, NY 966882_HazMat.indd 1 2019-07-16 11:22 AM Moving New Yorkers The TANY Board of Directors congratulates Kendra Hems for being selected one of City & State New York magazine’s “Transportation Power 100.” 12 | milepost • THIRD QUARTER 2021
ADVOCACY SUCCESSFUL STOPS: HALTING LEGISLATION DETRIMENTAL TO INDUSTRY Oftentimes simply stopping a potentially costly or overly restrictive bill from becoming a law is a win. Each year there are countless bills that are drafted, most with good intentions, which if passed, would have a detrimental impact on our members and industry. These are often ideas that seem to be helpful, or are drafted to grab headlines, but when examined they prove to be unsustainable. In short, these proposed bills may be good ideas, but are often expensive to implement and create undue burdens on private and family-owned businesses. It then becomes the responsibly of active members of the business community or associations like TANY to share the other side of the story. During this legislative session, TANY was successful in stopping a number of these proposals that would have become financially onerous to our members. One was a proposal included in the governor’s budget proposal to require all commercial trucks be equipped with global positioning systems (GPS) inside the cab. TANY opposed this proposal for two reasons: the cost to our members and the fact that the requirement would only be applicable to New York-registered vehicles. Potentially mandating a GPS in all trucks would impose a new and unexpected cost to our members, not to mention that it would come as every industry is working to find stable ground after the pandemic. This could cost our members hundreds of thousands of dollars and more to implement and would undoubtably force many to make difficult decisions. Of equal, if not more, importance was the fact that the requirement would only be applicable to New York-registered vehicles, creating another financial burden to New York carriers that out-of-state carriers would not have to bear. This is due to a provision in the Interstate Commerce Clause that restricts states from imposing equipment requirements to vehicles not registered in their state. Once reviewed, there were many more questions than answers, and through the efforts of our Government Affairs Committee and staff we were able to ensure this measure was not included in the final NYS budget that passed the legislature. Another issue our Government Affairs Committee was able to successfully blunt was increased fines for trucks operating on NYS parkways. This is a common reaction to the issue of bridge strikes by some public officials, but again, this legislation was ill-advised. The proposed penalties for a first offense would increase from $350 to $1,000 for trucks registered between 10,000-26,000 pounds and from $700 to $5,000 for trucks registered at more than 26,000 pounds. One of the benefits of having an active Government Affairs Committee and dedicated lobbying professionals is our ability to inform and educate lawmakers. These proposed penalties represented a 65-85 percent increase and would disproportionately impact smaller, family-owned businesses. In addition, the legislation included the option of suspending vehicle registrations for one year if found operating on a parkway. When our team spoke with lawmakers and educated them to the steps our industry is currently taking to avoid these accidents, we were met with surprise and approval. No group wants to see an end to bridge strikes more than the trucking industry. We informed lawmakers that TANY has been a long-time member of the NYS Bridge Strike Mitigation Task Force where significant strides have been made in recent years. This group has learned that the majority of drivers striking bridges are from out-of-state or are average citizens renting a truck who are unfamiliar with the parkway restrictions on commercial vehicles. Through interacting with our statewide representatives and educating them on the industry and our goals, we found the vast majority to be receptive and eager to learn. Through these dialogues we were able to have constructive conversations and offer suggestions on where the focus should be. In this case it should be with driver education, training and outreach; providing rental/leasing companies with educational materials; and continued research and testing of Intelligent Transportation Systems that can provide both roadside and in-cab alerts. Both of these proposed laws were successfully challenged, but it is very likely that we will see a new, updated version during next year’s legislative session. We are always looking for more members to join our efforts, because we know that when TANY speaks with a unified and loud voice, our concerns are heard. mp OSTREETPHOTOGRAPY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost | 13
FEATURE TIME IS TICKING ON I-81 The discussion of what to do with a section of I-81 in downtown Syracuse has been debated for more than a decade, and now the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are asking for feedback as a 60-day public comment period draws to a close. In mid-July the agencies released the I-81 Viaduct Project Plan, which lays out a preferred plan to remove the I-81 viaduct and replace it with a grid that would bring all traffic to the ground in the roughly one-mile section of downtown. Under the current plan highway traffic would reroute to the east on I-481, creating a 12-mile route for all traffic before returning back to I-81. In the proposed project, the grid would include a roundabout and 15 new traffic lights in downtown. TANY President Kendra Hems sent a letter to Mark Frechette, project director, NYSDOT, and Rick Marquis, division administrator, FHWA, urging an extension of the public comment period. Under the public comment schedule released in mid-July, along with a 28,000-page report, the public has been given only 60-days to provide comments and questions, ending on September 14, 2021. In addition, the public outreach efforts include two virtual meetings and only two in-person meetings, both of which take place in downtown Syracuse on the same day, in the same location and within two hours of each other. In the letter, sent on July 26, 2021, Hems states, “The project report was released on July 16, giving just 60 days for community engagement and public comment. The report released by the New York State Department of Transportation is more than 28,000 pages in length. Sixty days is a woefully inadequate amount of time to provide interested stakeholders time for an accurate and thorough review of this massive document.” She also suggested the agencies increase the number of public and virtual meetings to ensure that transportation leaders are allowing for increased interaction with a larger and more diverse set of stakeholders. “New York State residents have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to literally change the landscape of their communities through this project, and this current outreach plan does not provide for equal access to this much-needed collaboration,” Hems added. “The I-81 Viaduct Project will have a significant impact on the lives of millions of New Yorkers today and for decades to come.” mp National Agency - Hometown Service 1020145_CDL.indd 1 30/09/20 5:46 PM GilDer Transport Solutions Inc. 18 Hill St Unit D Greenwich, NY 12834 518-796-8601 Creating Compliance out of Chaos www.gildertran.com [email protected] 14 1011589_GilDer.indd 1 12/06/2020 12:07:08 AM | milepost • THIRD QUARTER 2021
COMMITTEE PROFILE So much work goes on behind the scenes by dedicated TANY members in support of our industry. Here we shine some light on these efforts by spotlighting our Government Affairs Committee Chairs. Ken Johnson has been our Government Affairs Committee (GAC) chair for more than 12 years. What was the biggest victory for the GAC this year? The GAC has been working on passage of our younger driver initiative for several years. Getting this bill passed was our biggest legislative success this year. Allowing 18-year-olds to start the process of becoming drivers will allow many of our members to bring younger drivers into our companies before they are forced to find other careers and hopefully reduce the challenges of keeping our truck seats filled. I would also add that our NYC subcommittee has had several important successes at the city level. As the chair, you are uniquely involved in TANY’s legislative efforts. What have you learned in this time? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS A couple things come to mind here. First, our government officials know very little about our industry when they are first in office. It is one of our most important functions – to educate these legislators on the importance of our industry and the challenges we face. The other thing I have come to learn is that no matter how sensible we feel our issues are, there is almost always someone talking to these legislators opposing our efforts. Give our members a behindthe-scenes look at the work being done by this committee, TANY staff and legislative team that ensures their voices are heard in Albany? Our committee meets every other week during the legislative sessions, January through June, and then monthly the rest of the year. Additionally, the NYC subcommittee meets biweekly. We discuss our legislative initiatives and legislation that may negatively impact our industry or businesses in general. We strategize our approach and positions with these bills. We also get involved with issues at the various state agencies like DMV, DOT and DEC. We plan our two lobbying events: Call on Washington and Call on Albany. We are fortunate to have Chris Bombardier and Danna DeBlasio, our lobbyists, but more importantly, the leadership that Kendra provides our association and our committee. Our committee provides feedback, ideas and raises the issues, but it is Kendra and our lobbyists who makes them happen and keep the conversations going session after session. The 2020-21 NYS Legislative session: what letter grade to you give the committee? What worked/ didn’t? Overall, I would give us an A-. We had a few legislative successes both at the state level and in NYC, and we also had issues come up that we pushed back on successfully like increased fines and penalties for bridge strikes within the governor’s budget. One of my original goals for this committee back in 2008 was to increase the visibility and importance of our association and industry within the state legislature and state agencies. Considering some of the committee appointments and awards that Kendra and the association has received recently, I feel we have exceeded that goal by a wide margin. I think the biggest disappointment of the past session was the lack of recognition by our governor of the significant and essential role our industry played during the COVID-19 pandemic. As good as this past session went overall, I won’t give us the A+ until we get the Ton Mile Tax repealed. What can TANY members do to support our common concerns and goals for the industry? Get involved! Plain and simple, advocating for our industry is a numbers game. The more people we can bring to Washington, Albany and New York City, the bigger the impact is on our elected officials. They want to hear from the people who live in their districts and the employers that provide jobs. They want to hear the challenges our industry faces, and for the most part want to help us overcome these. Not every elected official will agree with our initiatives, but none will if we don’t make our voice loud and clear. Don’t be intimidated, we will make it easy to get involved. THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost | 15
Zach Miller heads up TANY’s efforts on our Metro Region Government Affairs Subcommittee (MRGAC), which focuses on New York City. What is the most important issue for the trucking industry in the Metro area today? Where to even begin. The political climate in New York City has been brutal for some time. It is painfully anti-commerce and anti-small business in general, and especially hostile to commercial vehicle operators. Most New Yorkers are so busy going about their lives that they do not pay close attention to the decision-making process. That allows well-funded “advocacy” groups to come in and set policy, despite that policy not being especially popular. This movement has pushed the majority Democratic party far to the left in recent years. However, this has become unsustainable. The destruction of neighborhood establishments combined with rising crime led a moderate candidate, Eric Adams, to win the primary. Should he win in November’s general election (probable) we will have an experienced, moderate mayor battling an inexperienced, left wing City Council. Buckle up. Why are you so active in the Government Affairs Committee and what would you say to our members who are considering getting more involved? Things in New York City got so bad that it was the dominant topic of conversation at the 2016 Annual Conference. Shortly thereafter we created the Metro Region Government Affairs Subcommittee (MRGAC), which I am honored to chair. I am so proud of all the hard work that Metro members put into the committee and so grateful for the time and resources that TANY staff as well as the board of directors (I have been privileged to serve on the board since 2018) have allocated to the Metro Region. As we approach the 5-year anniversary of the MRGAC, we have raised the awareness of our industry exponentially. We have built strong relationships with DOT as well as members of City Council. We helped design LEONARD'S EXPRESS IS A LOCAL, FAMILY-OWNED ASSET- BASED TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER HEADQUARTERED IN FARMINGTON, NEW YORK WITH OFFICE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. What do we do? LEONARD'S EXPRESS About Us Video HTTPS://VIMEO.COM/366322299/10CDCDC184 1050086_Leonards.indd 1 10/08/21 2:48 AM 115 Farrell Rd. Syracuse, NY • 315-451-8663 • tritank.com • 20 Bay Repair Facility • Full Service Wash Bay • 2-Story Parts Room • Tank Testing • Stainless & Aluminum Welding • New & Used Tanks • Custom Fuel Trucks • 5th Wheel Couplers • Alum. Fuel Tank Repair • We Purchase Used Equipment Now Offering Propane Trucks The Northeast’s Premier Tank Truck & Trailer Facility IN STOCK NOW! NYS DEALER TM 16 1022363_Tri.indd 1 10/28/20 4:02 PM | milepost • THIRD QUARTER 2021
the Smart Truck Management Plan, reconciled NYC marking requirements to the state and federal standards and were recognized as essential workers during the pandemic. Kendra was named to the Mayor’s Surface Transportation Advisory Committee, built up a relationship with former DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and held multiple meetings with the Speaker’s Office to promote legislation. Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez, chair of the Committee on Transportation, has publicly defended the industry and drivers from those who want to score quick political points from attacking us. None of this was happening before we started MRGAC; however, there is so much more work to do and we need member engagement to do it. Now is the time for us to reach new heights in New York City and we welcome members to participate. The 2020-21 NY City Council legislative session: what letter grade do you give the committee? What worked/didn’t? I think the committee did some of its finest work this year. Our Zoom calls often go well past the allotted hour and the group is passionate and focused. This session we were joined by Diniece Mendes, who runs the Freight Mobility Office at DOT and provided frequent updates. We gave feedback on street closures and bills and recently succeeded in changing the NYC marking requirements. I’d give us a solid A. What are the key issues for the industry in the coming months? Image is a huge one. Back to the city council. It is common to hear things like “killer trucks” from members of the public as well as the council. Even though drivers prove themselves to be heroes time and time again in crises there is still the image of the big bad truck. We need people to see truck drivers as the hard-working heroes they are. Space is another key issue; trucks have less and less road and parking space available to them and more users competing for it, particularly at the curb. Lastly, the fate of the Bronx-Queens Expressway is a major issue we need to keep an eye on. What should our members know about NewYorkTruckStop.com and its mission? At NewYorkTruckStop.com we strive to provide all the news, views and advocacy that small business owners, fleet operators and concerned citizens need to know about what is going on in New York City. Oh, and if anyone would like to be a guest on New York Truck Stop Radio, let me know. We’d love to have you on. mp New York State Woman Owned Business Enterprise, NYSWOBE #53310 National Women’s Business Enterprise, WBENC #2005121673 Women Owned Small Business, WOSB #180165 www.accesscompliance.net | 518-782-2200 | [email protected] At Access Compliance, we have many services to keep you in compliance: DOT Medical Testing • DOT Examinations performed by DOT Certified Providers • HAZMAT Medical Clearances • HAZMAT training for drivers handling hazardous materials • Customized written program for your Drug and Alcohol Testing Program • Drug and Alcohol random pool for your random testing needs • Drug and Alcohol testing is done by trained collectors • Medical Review Officer (MRO) Services • After-hours Drug and Alcohol collections • Designated Employee Representatives (DER) training in what they need to know • Reasonable Suspicion Training Drug and Alcohol Testing DOT rules state that any motor carrier, interstate or intrastate operating a vehicle over 26,001 lbs, or transporting 16 or more passengers including the driver, or any vehicle transporting hazardous materials, must participate in a compliant Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, regardless of size. Program must include: Pre-employment, random and post-accident testing 1029612_Access.indd 1 THIRD QUARTER 2021 • milepost 11/01/21 6:57 PM | 17
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ™ ™ 1023082_Advanced.indd 1 10/24/20 5:35 PM ACCOUNTING SERVICES Berretta & Costigliola, LLP ................................................... 18 COLLISION & BODY REPAIRS DeCarolis NationaLease .....................................................3, 9 www.decarolis.com COMPLIANCE SERVICES Access Compliance, LLC...................................................... 17 www.accesscompliance.net GilDer Transport Solutions, Inc. ........................................... 14 www.gildertran.com DOT PHYSICALS Access Compliance, LLC...................................................... 17 www.accesscompliance.net DRUG & ALCOHOL AWARENESS TRAINING Access Compliance, LLC...................................................... 17 www.accesscompliance.net DRUG & ALCOHOL TESTING Access Compliance, LLC...................................................... 17 www.accesscompliance.net FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DeCarolis NationaLease .....................................................3, 9 www.decarolis.com FUEL ADDITIVES Advanced Fuel Solutions ...................................................... 18 www.yourfuelsolution.com HEAVY HAUL SPECIALISTS Rock Tech Inc. ............................................. Inside Back Cover www.rtihauling.com INSURANCE CDL Associates Insurance Agency LLC ............................... 14 www.cdlassociates.org EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants .................................. 6 www.epicbrokers.com INTERMODAL & BROKERAGE SERVICES Leonard’s Express ................................................................16 www.leonardsexpress.com MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS & SUPPLIES DeCarolis NationaLease .....................................................3, 9 www.decarolis.com OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH Access Compliance, LLC...................................................... 17 www.accesscompliance.net TANKER MAINTENANCE HazMat Environmental Group, Inc. ...................................... 12 www.hazmatinc.com TOLLING & WEIGH STATION BYPASS SERVICES Bestpass ....................................................Outside Back Cover getbestpass.com TRADE ASSOCIATIONS NY Metropolitan Trucking Association, Inc. ........................... 6 www.nymetrotruck.com TRAILER DEALERS/MANUFACTURERS North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service ..................................... 3 www.njtts.com Tri Tank Corp. .......................................................................16 www.tritank.com TRAILER REPAIR North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service ..................................... 3 www.njtts.com TRAINING SERVICES Access Compliance, LLC...................................................... 17 www.accesscompliance.net TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS SALES DeCarolis NationaLease .....................................................3, 9 www.decarolis.com TRUCK DEALERS/MANUFACTURERS Mohawk Valley Freightliner ....................................................8 www.mvfreightliner.com Regional International Corporation ........................................4 www.regionaltruckandtrailer.com TRUCK LEASING/EQUIPMENT LEASING/RENTALS DeCarolis NationaLease .....................................................3, 9 www.decarolis.com Hub Truck Rental Corporation ................................................6 www.hubtruck.com TRUCK REFRIGERATION DEALERS North Jersey Trailer & Truck Service ..................................... 3 www.njtts.com TRUCK REPAIR DeCarolis NationaLease .....................................................3, 9 www.decarolis.com Hub Truck Rental Corporation ................................................6 www.hubtruck.com WASTE & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Modern Disposal Services, Inc. ..................Inside Front Cover www.moderncorporation.com 527 Townline Road, Suite 201 Hauppauge, NY 11788 Phone: 631.876.5160 • Cell: 516.972.9475 Fax: 631.876.5163 Vincent A. Berretta, C.P.A. | [email protected] 1038506_Berretta.indd 1 21/04/21 12:56 PM 18 | milepost • THIRD QUARTER 2021
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