OTA Dispatch Issue 4, 2020

5 www.ortrucking.org Issue 4 | 2020 ADVOCATING, EDUCATING, AND PROMOTING THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS And, of course, contribute to Truck PAC. This election cycle we were able, for the first time in years, to contribute over $100K to business-friendly candidates. We contributed to forty-four races with only two losses. We need to build up this fund so that in the next election cycle we have closer to $250,000 to spend to help elect those who understand and support our industry. Even with the campaign finance reform being talked about, campaigns are expensive and will continue to be so. It is hard enough to encourage good people who understand the needs of business to take the risk to run for office, we need to help those individuals get elected. Your financial support can make the difference. And the legislative front isn’t the only way that change will come. With the Governor issuing executive orders on a regular basis, the ability to legally challenge this authority will become even more important than before. Last year, OTA’s Board of Directors authorized a surcharge to your dues to initiate a Legal Fund. It was an insightful move that has allowed us to play more aggressively and effectively as these policies moved forward. At our board meeting last week, they once again authorized this charge that you will see on your dues in 2021. The legal front will continue to be important in policy discussions in the future, and OTA will be prepared for this challenge. As these new policies are implemented, OTA will also be there to help you navigate these changes. Our educational offerings continue to grow in topic and content, so keep yourself and your employees up to speed by enrolling in OTA University classes. Let us know what your educational needs are—we continue to update our classes to help you succeed. OTA has made an investment in educational programming that rivals any state trucking association so don’t miss the opportunity to help your employees, or yourself, stay informed and prepared. What will 2021 bring? It’s hard to know. Budgeting, planning, hiring, and managing will likely continue to be challenging until we have a solution to this virus and a government that will return our freedom. I do know that OTA will be there for you. We will continue to advocate, educate, and promote the trucking industry. Join us. It will be worth your time and investment!