As the price of diesel continues to break record-highs, there has been a significant increase by reporters to speak with drives and companies about the effects of rising fuel costs.
If you have been the victim of diesel theft or have data on how the impact the increase in fuel costs has affected your bottom line, CTA wants to hear from you.
CTA’s government and public affairs team is collecting anecdotal information from members to shape the narrative on how high diesel costs affects not only drivers, but communities across the state.
This information is also helpful to continue advoacy efforts with the legistature and the governor's office for a relief on fuel for the trucking industry as part of the continuing bugdget negotiations.
We encourage you to reach out to Bernice Creager bcreager@caltrux.org if you have any information to share or if you would be interested in speaking to a reporter about your personal experience with the raising cost of diesel.
Last week, the United State Supreme Court ruled in favor of Viking River Cruises Inc. in a case over whether, under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), an agreement requiring an employee to arbitrate disputes on an individual basis precludes them from maintaining a PAGA action on behalf of a class.
While many employer groups applauded the decision and favorable toward business, this decision does not apply to the trucking industry because the FAA exempts transportation workers.
Additionally, labor and other interest groups have signaled their intent to push for legislation.
In May, Governor Newsom released his revised budget proposal that included relief from soaring diesel prices and rebates back to vehicle owners. The governor’s revision of the budget proposed delaying the scheduled increase of 5.6% diesel sales tax rate for one year, which could save truckers thousands of dollars at the height of record diesel prices and compounding inflation.
The proposal also contained a one-time rebate back to all registered California vehicle owners of $400 per vehicle and up to $800 for owners of more than one vehicle.
While the Legislature agreed on the need to provide relief at the pump, disagreement on how to best provide relief to Californians suffering from soaring fuel and conventional goods costs.
Instead, Assembly and Senate leadership introduced a measure in the form of Senate Bill 192 or the Better for Families Rebates and Grants Budget Trailer.
SB 192 provides rebates to individuals and families based on income rather than vehicle ownership as proposed by the governor. Individuals may receive up to $200 one-time rebates or up to $530 depending on their income levels and families may receive up to $800 depending on their income too. But the budget trailer bill does not include any relief at the pump for diesel truck drivers. SB 192 leaves out the Governor’s proposal to delay the increase in the diesel sales tax rate that will inevitably occur on July 1.
Last week, during the CTA Highway Policy Committee meeting, members in attendance received a presentation from Eric Fredericks, Freight Policy Coordinator for the California State Transportation Agency on the recently completed
California Statewide Truck Parking Study (Study).
The Study looked at the needs for truck parking, utilizing data to identify locations throughout the state where the lack of truck parking is an issue.
The Study process began in 2017 and included valuable input from many stakeholders including CTA and many association members.
The Study is a good blueprint for the state to utilize in its efforts to address California’s truck parking issue.
