5 www.ortrucking.org Issue 1 | 2022 ADVOCATING, EDUCATING, AND PROMOTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS For several years OTA has worked to establish key contacts for every legislator. This person works to build a relationship with them so when issues that impact trucking arise, that legislator would reach out to the key contact to get our industry’s perspective. Being a key contact takes time. Time to build that trust with your elected representative. Time to attend their community meetings and to meet with them individually. It’s an investment of time and effort, and it doesn’t mean that your legislator always votes your way. It is another avenue where we can educate and influence, encouraging legislators to better understand what our industry needs, work to find a compromise, and reduce negative impacts on our industry. Our key contact program is still in its infancy, but it is clear we need to develop this further. The old adage of “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” is doubly true when it comes to navigating our current political environment. We have the knowledge, but we need to get it into the right hands. We need members from all of Oregon to step up. We’re all short on time these days, but this is something that can’t be left to chance. Volunteering for this mission starts with a call to the OTA’s office (503.513.0005). Tell us where you live and we’ll match you with a legislator. Not sure how to reach out or what to say to them? OTA will provide training on the best ways to engage them. We have the chance to make a difference, but we first need to make that connection. You are our industry’s best “brand ambassadors.” Step up and be heard. Contact us today, before you’re even done reading this issue of the Dispatch. There is no time like the present! And while you are at it, write a Truck PAC check. Elections aren’t cheap—many of the legislative races will cost a given candidate over $1 million to get their message out. We know there is a lot of outside special interest money that makes its way into the pockets of some candidates, so it’s up to us to identify and support those candidates that want to work with us. Word has gotten out that Oregon isn’t open for business. We need to change that narrative by getting legislators (or potential legislators) to understand what it will take to make home-grown Oregon businesses thrive. We need to raise over $250,000 for this election cycle. If you are reading this, and don’t own or manage the company you work for, this message still applies to you! Oregon has a tax credit of $50 for individuals and $100 for couples filing jointly which means that it reduces the cost of your taxes if you contribute! Imagine….you can send the state that $100 or spend it to elect a candidate that will support the trucking industry! What would happen if every employee at every one of our carriers decided to support Truck PAC? We would challenge the public employee unions with our ability to help get pro-business candidates elected, and all with a minimal investment on your part! Imagine what we could do if we all worked together. Oregon is at a crossroads. Downtown Portland is struggling, and many experts believe it will take years to recover. Portland has been the driving force for Oregon’s economy—like it or not—for many years. While it often seems that Portland is in a world of its own, what happens there will impact all Oregonians. There are numerous reasons to be frustrated, unhappy, and discouraged at the state of our great State. We can complain—or we can roll up our sleeves and get to work. Let’s do that. Let’s work together to reclaim this beautiful state we call home.
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