Page 10 - Arkanas Trucking Report Volume 22 Issue 5

NEWS IN BRIEF

CAMPAIGN FOR REAL TORT ing down matters of policy adopted by code. His remarks focused specifically
REFORM LAUNCHED IN AR the legislative body. on the trucking industry and its role in
Trucking companies across the Randy Zook, president of the moving American’s economy forward,
country face the threat of meritless Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and were delivered in front of two ATA-
lawsuits, settlement seeking attorneys says SJR8 will help make Arkansas more wrapped tractor-trailers.
and nuclear verdicts exploiting their competitive with surrounding states “We truly admire you. You are
business. These actions drive up and protect everyday Arkansans. our heroes,” President Trump said of
costs for even the safest carriers. “It’s time to level the playing field truckers. “We will build this future
The Arkansas Trucking Association in Arkansas with commonsense reforms together.” Representatives from motor
is committed to improving the legal that strike a balance between protecting carriers, ATA Chairman Kevin Burch,
climate in Arkansas to help protect the rights of everyday Arkansans while ATA President and CEO Chris Spear
business and enable job growth and creating an environment of economic and America’s Road Team Captains
economic improvement. growth and job creation in Arkansas,” were all in attendance and joined the
A coalition representing a diverse said Zook. “The passage of SJR8 by the President in calling on Congress to pass
group of Arkansas businesses has joined voters of Arkansas will make Arkansas comprehensive tax reform.
together to support commonsense tort more competitive with surrounding “While trucking sustains the vital-
reform in Arkansas. Arkansans for Jobs states while still protecting the right to ity of the U.S. economy, we also carry
and Justice will advocate for the pas- a jury trial and damages.” a heavy tax burden, paying the highest
sage of the constitutional amendment corporate tax rate of any transporta-
known as SJR8. PRESIDENT TRUMP TOUTS tion mode,” said Spear. “That is why we
The Arkansas Trucking Association TRUCKERS IN PUSH FOR TAX joined President Trump at today’s event,
helped lead the effort in the legislature REFORM in support of his plan to reform our tax
to have the measure referred out and American Trucking Associations code. We urge Congress to follow the
will be a key voice in the campaign. joined President Trump in Harrisburg, President’s lead and pass tax reform by
Other members of the ballot committee Pa., as the President delivered a speech year’s end.”
include the Arkansas State Chamber, on his plan to reform the nation’s tax
Arkansas Medical Society, Arkansas 
Health Care Association, The Poultry
Federation and Arkansas Farm Bureau.
The resolution, SJR8, sponsored by
Sen. Missy Irvin and Rep. Bob Ballinger,
along with 66 co-sponsors, passed
with overwhelming support and placed
the constitutional amendment on the
November 2018 ballot. SJR8 will aid
in discouraging frivolous lawsuits by
placing limits on contingency fees, non-
economic damages and punitive dam-
ages. It will also authorize the General
Assembly to adopt rules of pleading,
practice and procedure to prevent the
Supreme Court from continuously strik-

10 Issue 5 2017 | ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT