Minn. Truckers Urge LaHood to Pay Attention to Shutdown

July 20 update: Minnesota ended its three-week government shutdown Wednesday.

The Minnesota Trucking Association has written to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, urging him “to fully engage” his department in the state government shutdown there in order to “ensure that the state is honoring its obligations as a safety and enforcement partner.”

State operated highway rest stops have been closed since the start of the shutdown July 1, said July 14 letter signed by MTA President John Hausladen.

The state is holding a legislative session Tuesday afternoon in an attempt to reopen its government.

Without enough parking areas available, truckers could potentially violate the hours-of service limits or to pose a danger to other drivers by parking illegally on roadsides, the letter said.

The shutdown is also causing credentialing problems for truckers running interstate because the state’s Division of Driver and Vehicle Services Division is closed, the letter said.

“Third-party vendors cannot run motor vehicle records without DVS, and hazardous materials credentials cannot be renewed,” the letter said.