President's Message
Thoughts from another early morning at the computer:
Are you ready for the sequel "Son of Session"? The 2009 regular Legislative Session, which adjourned July 1, and the special session which adjourned later in July without significant progress, will likely be succeeded by a special session to be called sometime after mid-November or possibly early December. The current-year budget deficit has swelled to somewhere between $1.6 and $2 billion, surpassing even the most dismal projections. The sweep of more than a half billion from the Highway User Revenue Fund (HURF), where your fuel taxes, weight fees and vehicle license fees go, has hit our industry in unfortunate and almost certainly dangerous ways with the closure of all but five of Arizona's rest areas.
Rest area closures: ADOT says it will save a whopping $2.5 million by its closure of most of the state's rest areas October 19, but the cost to traffic safety may be one the state will not want to pay when the bill comes due. It's not ADOT's fault, however. With HURF funds "swept" for general government operations, there's nowhere to go. ATA has been meeting with DPS and ADOT to explore alternatives and will keep you informed. In the meantime, pay close attention to your drivers' schedules, knowing that there are now 13 fewer rest areas where they can pull off the road to get their mandated rest in Arizona. Click here for a map of currently available rest areas.
Highlights from ATA's membership meeting and Leadership Conference: Has the recession bottomed out? Both economists that spoke at the annual Leadership Conference agree that it has. It was encouraging to listen to their reports, as well as to hear some members say that business is a little better (no one, however, can decipher any significant trends upward). Senator John McCain's "town hall meeting" was a huge hit by anyone's standards, as was the annual "truckers" panel. Watch for highlights of the conference and annual membership meeting in the upcoming ATA Yearbook due out in December.
If not ATA, where? Turmoil in the industry and continued uncertainty about the future make your investment in ATA more essential than ever. Take advantage of the many training, education and networking opportunities ATA will continue to offer its members. Use our Vehicle Registration and Compliance Services. Plan to attend the All-ATA Holiday Party December 11 to meet new members, network and help disadvantaged kids in the Sunshine Homes. Watch the Events & Seminars site and the Industry Insider for announcements.
Not a member? Click on the Membership tab above and explore membership today. You'll be very glad you did!
Karen Rasmussen*
President & CEO
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*Karen Rasmussen has been the CEO of the Arizona Trucking Association since July 2001. Prior to joining ATA, she was Director of Government Relations for Ryder System, Inc. Before joining Ryder, Ms. Rasmussen served 13 years in top management with the California Trucking Association. She also served several years in Oklahoma as a grants coordinator in the Governor's Office of Highway Safety and as the public relations officer for the Department of Public Safety/Oklahoma Highway Patrol. She began her government relations career working in and lobbying the Montana Legislature. Ms. Rasmussen has been recognized for her accomplishments during a 35-year career in traffic safety, and in 2005 was named the top trucking association executive in the United States with the President's Award from American Trucking Associations.