Page 10 - ATR 4 2015 web

NEwS IN brIEf

cOngress passes 3-MOnTh new LeaDership aT usa Truck
highway fix Thomas Glaser was named chief
President Obama signed a three- executive officer and president of USA
month bill into law that extends pro- Truck by the board of directors. Former
gram authority through October 29 CEO and director John M. Simone
and will keep the highway fund solvent resigned on July 9 to focus on his health
until mid-December. Congress passed after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
the bill one day before the deadline for a Glaser, a USA Truck director, served as
cutoff of funds. interim chief operating officer since
The Senate approved the short-term April, when Simone took medical leave.
bill by vote of 91 to 4. The House passed Chairman of the Board Robert A.
the same bill a day earlier, and then left Peiser said, “We are pleased that Tom
for its August recess. Glaser is stepping in to accelerate the
Lawmakers said they hope the company’s operational and financial
3-month patch — the 34th short-term progress. Among Tom’s many attributes,
transportation extension since 2009 — he brings to his new role an extensive
will be Congress’ last. knowledge of the industry and USA
The bill also provides $8 billion Truck’s operations, as well as a proven
to shore up the federal Highway Trust ability to lead.”
Fund through mid-December. The After the appointment was
fund’s balance was forecast to drop announced, Glaser told Arkansas senaTe BiLL wOuLD aLLOw
below a $4 billion cushion necessary Business, “Stepping back in, I wasn’t inTersTaTe Driving By 18–21
to prevent disruptions in payments to hesitating at all. I had retired. John’s cDL hOLDers
states in early August. health — it’s a serious condition he has While the House and Senate agreed
“We had to give some ground, — and really the opportunity to help, on a three-month bill with one day to
but we found common ground,” Sen. I was more than happy to do that. The spare, the Senate passed a longer term
Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. said. “And we company is important to the commu- bill that will fund the highway fund
all believe this bill is so important for nity, it’s important to the people, and for three-years and make changes to
our nation. it’s important to continue what John highway, transit, railroad and auto
Senate Majority Leader Mitch started.” safety programs. Among the changes in
McConnell, R-Ky. had tried to persuade Glaser previously served as USA the legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen.
the House to delay its recess in order Truck’s interim chief operating officer Deb Fisher (R-Neb.) is a pilot program
to take up the Senate’s long-term bill, from January 2013 to June 2013. He for CDL holders younger than 21 to do
but GOP leaders there opted for the has more than 30 years of management interstate hauling and delivery.
short-term patch in order to give them- experience in the trucking industry, Fisher’s Commercial Driver Act
selves time to craft a long-term bill that including previous stints as president/ would let states test the feasibility of
reflects their priorities. CEO of Arnold Transportation and
Celadon. 

10 arkansas Trucking repOrT | issue 4 2015