Lott Seeks Ergonomics Rule Delay

ARLINGTON, Va. — During separate forums on June 17 and 18 addressing members of American Trucking Associations, lawmakers offered leaders feedback — and praise — on key industry topics:

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration should delay issuing an ergonomics rule, designed to reduce repetitive stress and other muscloskeletal injuries, until the National Academy of Sciences completes its study next year.

Legislation requiring the delay cleared the House Workplace Protections Committee on June 23. A similar bill is pending in the Senate

House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) called for the reducing and eventual eliminating the 55% inheritance tax.

"If you want to keep a small business in the family and you have to pay the IRS the same week you go to the undertaker, there is something wrong with that," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) told trucking leaders that to be successful as a democracy and as a trade association, you need to have 20-20 "eyesight" — interest and involvement.

Daschle praised the industry for its role in passing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st century, which boosted spending on road and transportation infrastructures by 40%.

"You can’t have a good economy without an adequate infrastructure," he said.

"The one big question is will this magnificent economic engine continue to produce as effectively as it has over the last few years? I think it can," Daschle added.

To ensuring future economic growth, Daschle said the United States must embrace the global economy and make sure that trade laws, taxes and fiscal policies support expansion of trade.

1944