OK DU Truckers! I need help!

[essme]

Our neighbor in the mountains of NC is a trucker, and a funny "good 'ol boy" type. Super easy to get along with- we have enjoyed his company for several years.

He owns his own truck, and I know that he drives all over the country-- up North, and out to the West coast.

He JUST posted a Trump 2020 meme on his FB page, with a commentary about "snowflakes." We have never discussed politics with him- no reason to, really.

How has the Trump administration been for the trucking business? He hauls construction materials and equipment.

[Skittles]

1. ask him why the snowflake hid in the bunker

yes indeed

[essme]

2. Well, there's that!

I was thinking of economic reasons specific to the trucking industry-

[salin]

3. I think the giant tax cut - ended an important write off for Truckers per expenses. I don't recall

the details, nor do I know if it was addressed/changed.

[panader0]

4. You're right but I can't remember the details either.

[essme]

5. You are correct- thank you- I looked it up.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2019/04/trump-tax-bill-truckers-truck-drivers-deduction/

[salin]

15. good find!

[Submariner]

6. I believe trump reduced the required rest time hours per day for drivers

so now they can drive until they fall asleep at the wheel and take out a few cars during the crash.

[littlebit]

8. No that is still the same

as it has been for years. We can work up to 14 hours a day and drive 11. But then we have to take a 10 hour break.

[Submariner]

20. I heard a trump D.O.T. proposal

to remove the hourly limit restrictions as an unnecessary regulation on the drivers.

Since it is the same, then saner minds must have prevailed that it was a bad idea to essentially force drivers to compete by outdriving each other by forcing the driving of longer hours. Thanks for that info.

[littlebit]

7. We can no longer itemized our taxes

or claim our per diem. I actually owed the IRS money last year.

Also freight is really bad right now and the rates are horrible.

[essme]

9. Thank you!

I can't believe anybody except the super wealthy are doing well under this admin.

[SheltieLover]

10. Here is an article about Teamsters & autonomous vehicles

I've read this is a huge concern & that there was to be a large rally in DC last October. Not certain if it happened.

I cannot for the life of me comprehend how anyone who works for a living could support any repuke.

They have never been on the side of labor.

https://teamster.org/2019/10/self-driving-trucks-threaten-jobs-especially-minorities/

[WhiskeyGrinder]

12. As an owner-operator, he's probably not a Teamster.

[essme]

14. I didn't think of the union

but, you are right. I probably won't ask- I didn't reply to him on FB, just skipped over it. Surely he won't put up a Trump flag off his balcony. Surely-

[SheltieLover]

17. A trucker who is not a Teamster? 😳

I cannot imagine...

Buf the union could be a good place to find info on pertinent topics.

[essme]

13. I can't understand why anyone at all does

But, yeah- that's just me. Thank you for the article.

[SheltieLover]

18. You are most welcome.

[Hoyt]

11. I think most self-employed truckers came out better under tax reform with

the 20% qualified income deduction. Self-employed still get to deduct most of the perdiem.

[Frasier Balzov]

16. This summary from the White House isn't very impressive.

He thanked them for being essential workers, but didn't claim to have done much for them.

If he COULD have claimed something, he WOULD have. You can BET ON THAT!

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-celebrating-americas-truckers/

[madinmaryland]

19. Ignore him. Don't engage online nor bring it up with him personally.

He’s nut job, leave him alone.