It’s just a bill – 167,000 of ’em

The fine people at StateNet recently sent me a copy of the 2010 state legislative sessions calendar. To most folks that probably doesn’t mean a whole mess of a lot. But to those of us who enjoy keeping track of what’s going on at statehouses, it is kind of like Christmas in late July.Checking out the calendar is a good excuse to crack open a nice carbonated beverage, find online the ol’

Start spreading the news

In only a couple of weeks, Land Line readers will receive their August/September magazine in the mailbox.As usual, the August/September book is loaded with information on anti-idling devices.But this year, as you’ll see, marks a new chapter in trucking. Many more states, counties and cities are limiting or outright banning truck idling.The premise is simple. Running diesel trucks for hours at a

Shut up and just drive

As the saying goes, be afraid when you hear “We’re from the government and we are here to help you.” Congress yet again is living down to that motto, and in this case they are playing with your life and the lives of everyone else on the road or even crossing the road.An article in the July 21 New York Times about cell phone use while driving has revealed that members of Congress pressured the

Joey? I’m just sayin’ the guy’s a pro

If there’s anyone who represents the heart of America’s highways and the soul of trucking, it’s Joey Holiday. Joey and Vicky are to the trucking industry what Ozzie and Sharon are to rock and roll.“Vicky! Vi—cki! What number is that song on my playlist? You know the one?” He howls for his wife, who is always close by.“Number 31!” she yells, feigning aggravation. “Do I have to come up there and

Photo radar? There’s an app for that

Noting that Washington, DC, law enforcement has raked in nearly $1 billion – with a B – from photo radar cameras since 2005, the District’s police chief has naturally condemned an iPhone app that alerts users to the location of speed and red-light photo radar units.Police Chief Cathy Lanier said using the app is a “cowardly tactic” and vowed the areas various police departments would step up

It’s all in how you ask the question

Anybody who has flipped on the tube to some courtroom drama has heard the phrase: “Objection! Leading the witness.”The point of the objection is, you can’t ask a question that provokes the answer you’re looking for. Too bad that rule doesn’t apply to surveys and polls.A great example of a survey loaded with leading questions was one recently released by a group pushing for increasing the size and

Greensburg revisited

I thought she was kidding.Sandi Soendker, Land Line managing editor, told the staff at our morning news budget meeting that Greensburg, KS, had been hit by another storm, tearing down at least one wall of the town high school.Greensburg made worldwide headlines in May 2007 when 95 percent of the city was destroyed by a rare EF-5 tornado that killed 14.Now another storm has damaged one building

Recipe for disaster

First Diana and Dennis Rodrigues tried adding a particulate filter to their 1997 reefer engine.But it wasn’t CARB approved.Then the Florida trucking family tried to purchase a $24,000 reefer engine to add to the existing trailer.No bank would finance the repower.Finally, the couple purchased a new $58,000 reefer trailer in late May, having been assured by CARB, California EPA and others that