Letter to the Editor: Obsolete regulations prevent young Mainers from entering trucking fields

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Maine is home to the best loggers and truckers in the Country.

Unfortunately, the logging and trucking workforce is declining due to obsolete regulations that are prohibiting our young Mainers from choosing this career path.

That’s why I introduced the Securing America’s Next Generation of Safe Loggers and Truckers Act. My bill will remove outdated regulations that are hindering the logging and trucking workforce. Our young Mainers should be given every opportunity to explore a career as a logger or trucker in their formative years and this legislation will ensure it for future generations.

Even though 47 states and the District of Columbia issue commercial driver’s licenses to 18 years-olds, the federal government prohibits these drivers from crossing state lines until they reach 21. This barrier makes trucking companies, particularly in small states, hesitant to hire and train workers under the age of 21.

By the time individuals reach that age, they have often found another career.

My bill, the Securing America’s Next Generation of Safe Loggers and Truckers Act, allows contiguous states to enter into contracts to recognize each other’s commercial driver’s licenses held by drivers under the age of 21.

Additionally, much like farming, logging companies are typically small, family-run businesses. Parents cannot pass their family business onto their children because strict regulations prohibit them from even teaching their teenagers how the machinery works.

Labor regulations were written when chain saws were still used to harvest trees, and prohibit anyone under the age of 18 to operate logging equipment. New technology, including protective cages, has made this industry safer.

My legislation will bring these regulations up to the speed with technology, by safely allowing family-owned logging businesses to train their children in their family’s business, much the way our farmers already do.

Many of our young Mainers are not interested in pursuing traditional education. They want to get involved in the family business or are ready to enter the workforce so they can help their family cover costs and stay in Maine instead of being forced to move because of lack of opportunity.

The Securing America’s Next Generation of Safe Loggers and Truckers Act will help our young Mainers learn more about the logging and trucking industry, in a safe environment, while preparing them as they enter the workforce.

Maine has many industries, such as logging and trucking, paper mills and farms, which have helped foster our traditions and special way of life. As Maine’s Second Congressional District Representative, I will continue to fight to protect and grow our industries to help get more Mainers back to work and create a better business climate.

Congressman Bruce Poliquin

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7 Comments

  1. Mr Poliquin, While I appreciate your efforts with this issue, as someone who has been associated in the logging business for years, I fear for young people going into this industry, The Maine Forest Service with Mr. Post at the helm has become one of the most ruthless departments in our state. I could enlighten you on some of the tactics they have used against some of our loggers they seem to have a vendetta against, but you would probably find them hard to believe.

  2. Don’t stop there Bruce, as we discussed at the Barclay Grand Opening , we need to make sweeping changes in this industry if its to survive.
    Keep up the Great Work!!

  3. It is well documented that the frontal cortex of our brains do not fully develop until early to mid 20’s in most individuals (males may take even longer). Since this is the region of our brain that is responsible for reasoning, judgement, ‘common sense’, decision making, it seems reasonable to keep the 21 yo age as there is an enormous amount of responsibility placed on truck drivers.

  4. To bad the Bulldog has never seen fit to print a log truck off the road story

  5. And What Paper Mills are they going to haul to in the future with Verso laying of 300 in Jay now and who knows which mills will be next.

  6. Federal and State rules and regulations are going to put “loggers and truckers” out of business. Our young Mainers don’t stand a chance if they are looking for a future in either of these industries!!

  7. So here is someone trying to get rid of some of the regulations and people display their depressive, negative attitudes- what is everyone going to do? Just give up and go into the cannabis biz?

    As far as young brains not being fully developed- we’ve had 18 and 19 yr. olds die serving our Country, so if they can pass the driving and trucking tests, lets keep our mouth shut..

    Good job Congressman.

    If you want to get rid of our onerous bureaucratic regulations anyone with any sense knows which Party to vote for…

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