Updates from Louisiana's Transportation Industry!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

2023 Annual Sponsor

SOUTHERN TIRE MART
 

Gubernatorial Forum | This Saturday - Aug. 19

We are excited to announce that the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, in partnership with the Louisiana Loggers Association and the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, will hold a Gubernatorial Forum with candidates on the evening of August 19, 2023 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. 

 

At this Forum members will have the opportunity to hear firsthand from candidates for Louisiana's Gubernatorial race. There will also be an opportunity for the crowd to mix and mingle one on one with candidates following the Fourm's programming. Details can be found below.

 

GUBERNATORIAL FORUM
Saturday, August 19, 2023
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Bayou Teche Brewery
1002 North Lane
Arnaudville, La 70512
 

Remembering Elmo Guillot 
The Louisiana Motor Transport Association would like to express our deepest condolences on the recent passing of LMTA Past President Elmo Guillot. Our prayers extend to the Guillot family, Southeastern Motor Freight and Triple G Express as well as the friends that grieve him.
 
Elmo was an industry leader, and patriarch of the Guillot family. He was a trusted voice to both association leadership and staff, always looking to better the industry for the future. Guillot had a deep respect for both the LMTA and American Trucking Associations (ATA) advocating for both organizations and the trucking industry throughout his retirement. Throughout his rich career, Guillot served as both Chairman and President of the LMTA and state-vice president for the ATA.  Elmo was always great for a visit and leaves a true legacy in Louisiana trucking history. 
 
Louisiana's trucking industry will feel and grieve his loss for some time, and he will be truly missed. Below are obituary and service details.
 
 
SERVICE DETAILS  | SATURDAY, AUGUST 19, 2023
 
Visitation
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME
 
Funeral Mass
2:00 pm
LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME
 

LMTA's TruckPAC Announces Endorsements | Election 2023

TruckPAC, the Louisiana Motor Transport Association’s (LMTA) political action campaign, today announced the first round of endorsements for key state legislative races. For the first time in the association’s history, it is taking a much more active role in vetting and supporting candidates that seek public office to determine if the candidates will support the trucking industry once elected to that office.  

 

Candidates endorsed by TruckPAC today include:

  • House District 7:            Larry Bagley
  • House District 9:            Dodie Horton
  • House District 21:          C. Travis Johnson
  • House District 24:          Rodney Schamerhorn
  • House District 28:          Daryl Deshotel
  • House District 30:          Chuck Owens
  • House District 31:          Jonathan Godeau
  • House District 38:          Rhonda Butler
  • House District 39:          Julie Emerson
  • House District 48:          Beau Beaullieu
  • House District 50:          Vinny St Blanc
  • House District 88:          Kathy Edmonston
  • House District 89:          Kim Carver
  • Senate District 9:           Cameron Henry
  • Senate District 10:         Kirk Talbot
  • Senate District 12:         Beth Mizell
  • Senate District 17:         Caleb Kleinpeter
  • Senate District 19:         Greg Miller
  • Senate District 20:         Mike Fesi
  • Senate District 25:         Mark Abraham
  • Senate District 33:         Stewart Cathey
  • Senate District 36:         Robert Mills
  • Senate District 38:         Thomas Pressly

“Truckers in Louisiana are in a crisis. We have the highest truck insurance rates in the nation, and we can’t stand on the sidelines while we see our friends and families fleeing the state,” says LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar. “Truckers need bold action from their elected officials, and we are going to support those candidates willing to take action on our behalf to fix the issues.”

 

TruckPAC is a non-partisan political action committee that promotes candidates and officials that support Louisiana’s trucking industry.

 

To learn more about TruckPAC or to get involved, please visit www.lmta.la/advocacy/ 
 

2023 Truck Driver Appreciation Week | Sept 10-16

APPRECIATION GIFTS

Celebrated annually, this year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs from September 10-16, 2023, and takes on a special meaning for our nation's economy! Professional truck drivers are the key link in our nation's supply chain, continuing to deliver despite unprecedented obstacles. Truckers move America forward!

The LMTA Foundation will mark Louisiana's Truck Driving Appreciation Week by shipping appreciation gifts to participating companies. We have hundreds of FREE gifts to allocate to Louisiana trucking companies. Gifts can be registered by emailing burton@lmta.la, with an initial restriction of 50 gifts per company. The deadline to register is August 23, 2023.

Please note that the LMTA Foundation will distribute gifts on a first-come, first-served basis; gift contents and quantities are subject to change. Only companies that employ drivers are eligible for gifts. Allied business companies (i.e. insurance, equipment, dealers, etc.) will not be shipped gifts.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding appreciation gifts, please email LMTA Executive Director Renee Amar (renee@lmta.la).

 

APPRECIATION EVENTS

We will be sharing member and industry-planned events here! If you or your business are planning an appreciation event or luncheon and would like us to share, please contact Renee Amar (renee@lmta.la). 
 

NATMI's Professional Development Program | Sept 25 - 29

SEPT 25-29 PROGRAM

NATMI's Certified Director or Supervisor of Safety (CDS/CSS) program is coming back to Louisiana Sept 25-29.

 

This 4.5 day course includes two courses held back-to-back. Motor Fleet Safety Basics (first 2-days) and Managing Motor Fleet Safety Programs (second 2 days).

 

More information regarding NATMI and program details can be found below.

 

NATMI Certified Director or Supervisor of Safety (CDS/CSS) Course

Sept 25-29, 2023 | 8:00am - 5:00 pm

LMTA Office

4838 Bennington Avenue

Baton Rouge, LA | 70808

Register Now!
 

Legislative Dispatch | Sept. 18 - 23

We are excited to announce the first round of our Legislative Dispatch. During these visits, local lawmakers meet with members at their businesses to see firsthand what it is like to run a trucking company in Louisiana.

 

Below are the locations for our September visits. We encourage all members in the area to register and join us in our discussion with local lawmakers. 

 

SCHEDULE

September 18, 2023

September 19, 2023 

September 20, 2023  

September 21, 2023

September 22, 2023
 

ICYMI: Joint Transportation Committee to Meet to Discuss Toll | Aug 22

The next step to approving the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge toll is quickly approaching! 

 

For the tolling plan to be approved, it MUST pass through several steps and a hearing before the Joint Transportation Committee is one of them. This is not a meeting to approve the toll but is a meeting for the legislature to get public feedback on the toll. The meeting is set for Tuesday, August 22, we need your testimony on how this toll will affect your business! We need you to show up to the State Capitol on August 22 at 10 am in Room 1 ready to share your story!

 

In addition to sharing your testimony, please complete the 3 actions below to let lawmakers know that you oppose the toll.

WE NEED YOU TO ACT NOW!

We NEED 3 ACTION ITEMS FROM YOU!

 

1.) Using this link, contact your state lawmakers to let them know you do not support this toll. 

2.) Contact lawmakers that you know on the Transportation Committees. Their names and emails can be found here.

3.) Share this LMTA post on Facebook and any other social media platforms. 

 

As we are sure you know by now, DOTD has released it's proposed toll on the I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge.

  • Local Auto: $0.25 (Toll Tag) | N/A (Non-Toll Tag) | $0.13 (Peak Hour HOV Rate)
  • Auto: $2.55 (Toll Tag) | $3.75 (Non-Toll Tag) | $1.25 (Peak Hour HOV Rate)
  • Medium Truck: $2.55 (Toll Tag) | $3.82 (Non-Toll Tag) | N/A (Peak Hour HOV Rate)
  • Large Truck: $12.50 (Toll Tag) | $18.73 (Non-Toll Tag) | N/A (Peak Hour HOV Rate)

The truck toll would be $12.50. These proposed toll rates confirm what the LMTA predicted - this bridge will be funded largely by silently taxing the truckers. 

 

This toll has the potential to add MILLIONS of dollars to medium and large carriers' operational costs. The Louisiana Motor Transport Association released a letter opposing the toll and it's impact on trucks (viewed here). 
 

Current Emergency Declarations

All Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions and Permits

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations
 
Arkansas Proclamation State of Emergency 6.25.23
 

Kentucky Official Order 113350

(Suspension of Registration Requirements, and Exemption of Hours of Service and Stoppage at Weigh Stations)
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/kentucky-official-order-113350
 

Texas Proclamation 23-0017 for Severe Weather
 

Vermont Emergency Declaration 

(Vermont faces the imminent likelihood of excessive rain combined with water runoff, flooding, erosion)

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency/vermont-emergency-declaration-070923-0
 

DOTD Reminder - Weight Limit on US 84 Bridge | Above 5 Tons

A reminder from the DOTD that the US 84 bridge near Tullos is open only to vehicular traffic with a 5-ton load rating. DOTD is asking those above the weight limit to find an alternate route.

 

DOTD appreciates your patience while crews perform bridge repairs.

 

Additional Information:
Call (318) 412-3100 or (800) 256-1610 or 511 or visit www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices or the DOTD Facebook page.
 

WEATHER - National Weather Service: Dangerous Heat Advisories

Here is an update from our partners at the New Orleans and Baton Rouge NWS.

 

Main Takeaways:

  • Friday: The heat is back with us for a bit longer and a heat advisory has been issued for today from 11am through 8pm. Remember to get to a cooler area when you can and take frequent breaks and always check your vehicle.
  • Weekend: An Excessive Heat Watch is in effect for Saturday from 11AM to 7PM CDT. Dangerous heat is expected to continue late this week and into the weekend. Heat indices may reach up to 115-120F.

LMTA Member Exclusive Affinity Programs

The LMTA currently offers a variety of exclusive business partnerships and services to members of the association. Special member-only offers for our partners are listed below and can be found through your LMTA Info Hub under the "Resources" tab.

 

SAMBASAFETY

Like the LMTA, SambaSafety's mission is to provide opportunities for companies to increase driver safety. Since 1998 SambaSafety has been mitigating driver risk for their clients. Their driver risk management and training solutions enable partners to add value to their customer base, streamline processes and improve overall safety and risk.

 

As part of our partnership with SambaSafety, LMTA members save $1,000 on system set-up fees! 

 

 

TO SCHEDULE A DEMO, SELECT THE LINK BELOW IN YOUR MEMBER PORTAL.

 

Please note: Since these are exclusive member only offers, you will be directed to log into your Info Hub to view the details.
 
This email was sent on behalf of The Louisiana Motor Transport Association (LMTA) located at 4838 Bennington Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70880. To unsubscribe click here. If you have questions or comments concerning this email contact Communications Director Allison Strahan at allison@lmta.la.