The trucking industry needs talented, knowledgeable, and dynamic young leaders to drive us into the future. Do you know an emerging leader in the industry? Nominate them today for the second class of PMTA’s leadership program PA Trucking: FFWD.

Participants will hear speakers, meet industry leaders, and participate in discussions that give them a 360-degree view of the industry and equip them to lead in their companies, their communities, and in the trucking industry.

The first meeting of 2023 will be on February 1, at headquarters in Camp Hill. ATA's John Lynch will present to the group as well as PMTA's Rebecca Oyler and chair of the NextGen Committee Doug Marcello. 

The cost of the annual program will be just $100 and includes an associate membership for those not already members of PTMA. 

Those interested should fill out this application form.

-- From the Governor-Elect's press release

Today, Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro announced four key cabinet appointments: Rick Siger to be Secretary of Community and Economic Development, former state Rep. Michael Carroll to be Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Sarah Hammer to be Secretary of Banking and Securities, and former state Sen. Pat Browne to be Secretary of Revenue. As Governor-Elect Shapiro emphasized throughout the campaign, his Administration will jump-start Pennsylvania’s economy by cutting red tape, lowering taxes, and making it easier to do business in the Commonwealth – and these highly qualified nominees will lead that effort in the Shapiro Administration.

“I’m proud to nominate this well qualified, bipartisan group of public servants. I’m confident Rick Siger, Mike Carroll, Pat Browne, and Sarah Hammer will bring new energy to Pennsylvania state government and help make us a national leader in innovation, manufacturing, and job creation,” said Governor-Elect

Michael Carroll

Mike Carroll was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2006 and subsequently re-elected for seven additional terms, and he worked on transportation throughout his time in public office. Mike was Democratic chairman of the House Transportation Committee from 2018 - 2022.

In 2010, Mike was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council Distinguished Citizen Award for his work to rehabilitate the Stillwater Dam in Tobyhanna Township. In 2014, he was awarded the Jean Yates Award from the Pittston Memorial Library Board of Trustees based on his dedication and service to the library and the Joseph Battisto Award for his legislative service to the citizens of Monroe County. In 2015, he received the Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries (PCBL) State Elected Official Award. In May 2016, he received the BAYADA Home Health Care Champion award, and in June 2016 he was presented with the Silver Bayonet Award by AMVETS in grateful appreciation of services rendered to the community, state, and nation.

Mike formerly worked as the chief of staff for then-state Rep. John Yudichak, served as legislative liaison for PennDOT under Gov. Robert Casey and served as district office director for Congressman Paul Kanjorski. A graduate of Pittston Area High School, Mike earned a bachelor of arts in liberal studies from the University of Scranton. A lifelong resident of Avoca, he is a member of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in Pittston, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Avoca Division. Mike is father of three adult children, Matt, Mackenzie, and Ali.

“I am deeply honored that Governor-Elect Shapiro has entrusted me with the leadership over a department that affects the daily life of millions of Pennsylvanians and ensures we can travel across the Commonwealth safely,” said former state Rep. Mike Carroll. “This historic moment in our Commonwealth presents a unique opportunity for this Administration. With $7.9 billion in federal funding coming to Pennsylvania, we will be able to fix our roads, highways and bridges – making it easier and safer for Pennsylvania drivers while creating good paying union jobs. As Secretary of Transportation, I will work to ensure PennDOT builds a better future for all Pennsylvanians.”

Wasting no time to address the issue on the minds of many Pennsylvanians this new year, the state Senate passed a bill during the first week of the new legislative session to reverse the 2023 tax increase that just went into effect on gasoline and diesel.

SB 35, sponsored by Senator Wayne Langerholc (R-Cambria), Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, passed the Senate by a vote of 29-19.

On January 1, Pennsylvania’s gas tax, which is levied at the wholesale level, increased by 3 cents to more than 61 cents per gallon and its diesel tax increased by 4 cents to almost 79 cents per gallon. These rates make Pennsylvania fuel taxes the second highest in the nation.

Fuel tax rates are set by a formula put in place by Act 89 of 2013, and this is the first time they have increased since the law went into effect. Act 89 set the floor of the “average wholesale price” of gas at $2.99. But if the average wholesale price remains above this level for 12 months, the Department of Revenue calculates a tax increase in the oil company franchise tax according to a formula in the law. Because the tax increase is mandatory, a change in the state law is required to stop it.

SB 35 would amend the definition of “average wholesale price” to set it permanently at $2.99, thereby reversing the tax increase that went into effect at the beginning of the year and ensures that it will not increase going forward.

Interested PMTA members should contact their House member to ask for their support of SB 35.

See PMTA's support letter here: PMTA Support for Senate Bill 35 1-10-2023.pdf

WHAT: Make-A-Wish will hold the 34th Annual Mother’s Day Truck Convoy on Sunday, May 14, 2023 at Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction in Manheim, PA. The Truck Convoy raises much needed funds that will grant 75% of wishes of children battling critical illnesses in the community. Wishes are waiting and we are looking for drivers and corporate sponsors to participate in this important and heartwarming event. Truck drivers are invited to register to drive in the Truck Convoy and raise money to support a child’s wish. Many drivers will have an opportunity to drive a wish kid during the Convoy route. Corporate sponsorships are also available and boast a plentiful array of benefits including premium truck parking, social media marketing, media opportunities and more!

WHEN: Sunday, May 14, 2023

WHERE: Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 1190 Lancaster Road, Manheim PA 17545 6 AM – Driver Truck Parking, Registration & Tailgate Area Opens 9 AM – Family Carnival, Famous Convoy clowns, food trucks, auction and more! 12 PM – Convoy program & Wish Kid celebration 1:30 PM – Convoy Kicks Off for 26-mile route through Manheim and Mount Joy, PA

TO REGISATER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.wishconvoy.org

Convoy Sponsor and Driver Contact: Lori Dietrich, Director of Development Lancaster, 717-283-4868 or [email protected].

ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH® PHILADELPHIA, DELAWARE & SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY

Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because a wish is an integral part of a child's treatment journey. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illness. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is the world’s leading children’s wish-granting organization, serving children in every community in the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and more than 24,000 volunteers across the U.S., grant more than 25 wishes every day. Since 1986, Make-A-Wish® Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley has fulfilled over 7,500 transformational wishes for local children with critical illnesses. For more information about Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley, visit wish.org/philadesv

Two new research briefs from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) show trends leading to a declining number of workers in the state, which helps explain the continuing problem many employers have filling open positions.

A December 2022 IFO report titled Young Workers Leave PA Workforce examines the decline in labor force participation rates for young workers. Since the start of pandemic through November 2022, the labor force participation rate declined by -2.4% for workers age 20 to 24. Although the participation rate also declined for older workers, the decline was more modest: -0.8% for ages 25 to 44 and -0.5% for age 45 to 54.  

U.S. Census Bureau Data, which includes state employment data by age group (not including self-employed), shows that payroll jobs in Pennsylvania declined by 151,000 or -3.0% between 2020 Q1 and 2022 Q1. When broken down by age group, only workers in the age 65-74 category showed significant gains in employment (+2.1%), while jobs for workers under the age of 35 declined by -4.6%.

The IFO report examines the ratio of payroll jobs to population and finds a contraction across all ages, but a much larger decline for younger age groups. It then calculates the number of additional workers that would be present in the state if the ratio had not changed since 2020. If workforce participation rates had not changed, there would be 113,000 additional workers, and more than half of these workers would be under the age of 35. This trend is a significant concern for the future as Pennsylvania’s workforce continues to age.

Part of this decline in the number of workers can be explained by population changes, which IFO’s report also examines. Between 2020 and 2022, Pennsylvania’s population declined by -0.3%.

A second IFO report, PA Population Contracts Since 2020, goes into more detail about the decline. Between April 1, 2020 and July 1, 2022, the state population contracted by 30,680. This contraction was mainly due to a natural decline, as the number of deaths (351,130) exceeded the number of births (294,980). Pennsylvania recorded the fifth largest natural contraction across all states.

International migration, which added 37,560 residents over the course of the two years, helped to mitigate PA’s population decline.

However, net domestic migration reduced state residents by 16,220 (more people moved out of PA to other states than moved into PA from other states).

National figures reveal that states gaining population were in the west and south, with the largest beneficiaries of domestic migration being Idaho (4.8%), Montana (3.6%), South Carolina (3.2%), Florida (2.9%), and Delaware (2.7%). Pennsylvania’s -0.1% domestic migration loss places the state in a similar category, but not as high, as neighbors Ohio (-0.3%), Virginia (-0.3%), Maryland (-1.1%), New Jersey (-1.2%), and New York (-3.3%).

A 2021 study by moving company United Van Lines helped to explain the out-migration trend in Pennsylvania, finding that about 35% of movers left the state for jobs, while 28% cited family, and 21% retirement as their reasons for leaving. This indicates that improving the economic and jobs climate in Pennsylvania is one of the keys to keeping workers in the state.

Please join us for PMTA’s Annual Membership Conference on April 18-20, where Independent Fiscal Office Director Matthew Knittel will join us as a speaker to discuss these and other topics.

Trooper Mike Brooks for Troop J, York is in search of any information or in-cab video from 12/28/22 at approximately 2050 hours (8:50 PM) at the intersection of US 30 East and Route 83 South.  A woman was struck by a commercial vehicle on the Eastbound ramp at that location. 

To reach Trooper Brooks, call 717-299-7650 and ask for Trooper Michael Brooks.

As of January 1, 2023, a Highway Use Fee will be imposed on certain carriers for the privilege of operating, or causing to be operated, certain heavy, multi-unit motor vehicles on any highway (i.e., public road) in Connecticut.

The Highway Use Fee is applicable to any person that operates or causes to be operated on any highway in Connecticut any eligible motor vehicle. An eligible motor vehicle has a gross weight of twenty-six thousand pounds or more and carries a classification between Class 8 and Class 13, inclusive, under the Federal Highway Administration vehicle classification system must register for a Highway Use Fee Permit, state officials say.

The Highway Use Fee is applicable to calendar months beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The first Highway Use Fee Return is due on or before February 28, 2023.

Certain carriers will be required to register with DRS for the Highway Use Fee by January 1, 2023. After registering, a Highway Use Fee Permit will be available in myconneCT.

See Taxpayer Services Special Bulletin 2022-7, Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the Highway Use Fee.

In addition, DRS has established a dedicated telephone number for questions related to the Highway Use Fee that is available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at 860-297-5677.

Tax reports must be filed monthly and must include: VIN, registration plate, country, state/province, total miles driven in Connecticut, GVW of vehicle. If the vehicle is fully loaded and meets a class of 80,000 lbs or above initially but after unloading during a multi-stop trip falls to a lower class, the remainder of the trip will be taxed at the lower rate.

The tax rates are as follows:

2.5 cents per mile for GVW of 26,000 to 28,000
with a graduating scale up to 17.5 cents per mile for GVW greater than 80,000.

Reports are due at the end of the following month (i.e. January is due February 28) and there are penalties for late or incomplete filings as well as failures to file. 

More information is available here: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Businesses/Highway-Use-Fee/HUF

In the Pennsylvania Bulletin for Saturday December 10, 2022, the Department of Revenue noted a 4-cent increase in diesel fuel taxes for 2023.

The tax on fuels (undyed diesel and undyed kerosene) had been $0.741 per gallon since 2018 but will increase to $0.785 per gallon in 2023.

The rate of the oil company franchise tax is determined annually by the Department of Revenue and announced by each December 15 for the following calendar year. The tax rate is determined on a “cents per gallon equivalent basis,” which is defined as the average wholesale price per gallon multiplied by the decimal equivalent of any tax imposed by PA C.S § 9502 (relating to imposition of tax).

According to 75 PA C.S. § 9002, after December 31, 2016, the average wholesale price shall be as determined by the Department of Revenue for the 12-month period ending in September prior to the year for which the rate is to be set. For the 12-month period ending September 30, 2022, the Department has determined that the average wholesale price for all grades of gasoline and diesel fuel was $3.17 per gallon, therefore, the average wholesale price for 2023 is set at $3.17 per gallon – an increase from 2.99 determined for 2018.

Taxes on motor gasoline are also increasing under the same formula from $0.576 per gallon to $0.611 per gallon.

The increase in diesel fuel tax in Pennsylvania, plus the $0.243 per gallon federal tax pushes the total tax per gallon of diesel to $1.028. 

Pennsylvania now has the second highest diesel fuel tax rate in the country, behind only California, which charges $0.795 per gallon.

See the full notice here in the PA Bulletin here: http://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pabull?file=/secure/pabulletin/data/vol52/52-50/1906.html

Maiden voyage – James Manning heading to Maine.

Adding the Peters Brothers Hat to the famous shelf in Maine of companies that have hauled wreaths this year.

Their cooler full of wreaths getting sorted to reload to delivery points – smells like Christmas in there!

Seth Stump helping to hand unload at delivery in PA yesterday.

Getting scaled with our load of wreaths and the “SEAL” – Every truck is given a wreath for the grill when they are loaded!

Other PMTA members that are participating are asked to share your photos with PMTA by emailing Kelly Hawthorne.

If you would like to donate or volunteer, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org 

Pennsylvania’s notoriously litigious civil justice climate once again brought the Commonwealth the distinction of ranking as one of the nation’s worst judicial hellholes. This year, the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and the PA Supreme Court combined rose to the second worst judicial hellhole in the nation in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s 2022-23 Judicial Hellholes report.

The report points to the recent PA Supreme Court decision to reverse the state’s successful medical liability venue rule as “perhaps the most disappointing decision in 2022.” This rule, which was put into place nearly 20 years ago to address skyrocketing liability premiums for healthcare professionals, was key to reining in healthcare costs and keeping physicians practicing in the state, especially in high-risk specialties. Prior to the rule being put into places, plaintiffs’ attorneys regularly brought medical liability lawsuits in high verdict jurisdictions like Philadelphia, in search of large payouts. Despite the success of the rule in helping to contain healthcare costs and keep doctors practicing, the Supreme Court eliminated the rule in August. The decision paves the way for a drastic increase in medical liability cases in high-verdict courts.

Also contributing to the commonwealth’s position on this year’s list, Pennsylvania ranked third per capital for nuclear verdicts in a 2022 U.S. Chamber study, with 78 verdicts ($10 million or more) in personal injury and wrongful death cases over the last decade. More than 60% of these verdicts were medical malpractice and product liability cases, with the Philadelphia Court of Common Please hosting more than half.

Several Pennsylvania decisions are cited in the report as contributing the state’s ranking, including Lorina v. Workers Compensation Appeal Board, where the PA Supreme Court reversed lower court decisions to find that it was mandatory for an employer to cover attorneys’ fees for a plaintiff in a worker’s comp appeal, even when the plaintiff chose counsel that charged premium rates and billed excessive hours.