CR England Girl

So which states will be receiving money from the portion of the economic stimulus package designated for infrastructure projects?  A total of $26,810,000 has been allocated specifically for highway and bridge construction.  California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania will all see a portion of those funds – 31% of the total amount.  California and Texas combined will see 18% (California will receive $2,569,568,320, with Texas following a close second with $2,250,015,146).  Delaware is slated to receive the least amount at $121,828,650.

Such precise numbers.  I wonder how it was decided who would get what – or for that matter, who got money at all.  I suppose the rest of us won’t be enjoying new roads anytime soon.

In an unprecedented effort to drastically diminish emissions and clean extremely polluted air, the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have initiated the Clean Trucks Program (CTP), designed to replace old polluting trucks with cleaner, electric ones.

Trucks are checked at the Port of Los Angeles Clean Truck Center

photo via the Port of Los Angeles

Trucks made in 1988 or earlier have been banned since last October and others that fail to meet 2007 air pollution standards must pay a $70 fee every time they haul cargo in and out of the ports. In addition, electric trucks are currently being introduced and within the next three years, most ships will be able to plug into the ports’ electrical grid and turn off their highly pollutant diesel engines, which could reduce emissions by nearly three tons a ship.

The National Resources Defense Council, one of the ports toughest critics, praises the program and estimates that emissions resulting from diesel particulates have already been decreased by nearly 50%.

However, not everyone is entirely thrilled with the initiative. The ATA filed suit in U.S. District Court in L.A. to challenge specific concession requirements that will lead to a complete ban of independent owner operator drivers from servicing the ports’ operations within five years. ATA President and CEO Bill Graves stated the ATA fully supports and encourages the implementation of environmentally-sound practices; however, they do oppose the “needless economic regulation in an effort to reshape the motor carrier industry that services the ports.”  The appeal is currently pending and will likely be decided after the completion of full briefing and argument in court later this year.

To learn more about the program and how it is affecting southern California truck drivers, click here.

There are few things as entrenched in the mind of the American public as that of the current state of the economy. Nearly 8% of the country is unemployed, a number that is expected to increase even further as businesses large and small feel the financial pinch and millions of workers struggle with the possibility of losing their job. Foreclosures have drastically risen, with more than a million homes already in foreclosure and more than 2 million expected to foreclose in 2009 alone. With the economy on the brink of catastrophe, today President Obama signed the largest spending bill in U.S. history.

photo via KCBS

The package includes a staggering $787 billion, designated for various government-sponsored programs, tax breaks, and investments to help create and save millions of jobs and revitalize the economy. So how exactly does the stimulus package effect truck drivers?  Direct effects on truckers and the transportation industry is limited, but you may benefit from one of the following:

• A large cut of the package is designated for infrastructure projects; $27.5 billion will be used for highway and bridge construction and another $1.5 billion will be used for competitive grants given to state and local governments for transportation.
• Refundable tax credits will be provided – $400 for working individuals and $800 for working families for both 2009 and 2010.
• An $8,000 tax credit will be given to first-time home buyers. It does not have to be repaid unless you sell your home within 3 years.
• A one-year Alternative Minimum Tax “Patch” will keep middle-income taxpayers from being subject to a tax increase in 2009.
• Unemployment benefits are taxable; however, under the stimulus package if you are currently unemployed, the first $2,400 you receive in unemployment benefits are excluded from taxes in 2009.

To anyone who begs to differ, I say this:

• Commercial truck drivers deliver nearly 11 billions (yes…that’s with a “b”) tons of freight every year.
• Trucks deliver 100% of all consumer products and 70% of all freight tonnage- there’s no other form of transportation that can deliver goods door-to-door.
• 80% of communities in the country get their goods entirely by truck.

Statistics provided by American Trucking Associations

…is truly art.  Conceived and designed by genius Mike Ross, the sculpture is constructed with two repurposed 18-wheelers.  How cool is that?