April 2, 2004, Grain Valley, MO - "Today professional truckers won one for themselves and all highway users," stated Jim Johnston, president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA).

"We asked truckers to let their lawmakers know that putting tolls on our interstate highways was deplorable," he stated. "Truckers across the country rose up and made their voices heard in Washington."

OOIDA led the grassroots campaign to urge lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to oppose measures in the House transportation bill (HR 3550) that would add tolls to existing interstate highways. The campaign by the 108,000 member organization of small business truckers also urged lawmakers to support Congressman Mark Kennedy’s (R-MN) amendment to that bill.

Kennedy’s FAST act requires that any tolls on existing interstate highways should be collected on new lanes only from users who voluntarily choose to drive in these lanes; toll revenue could be spent only on the lanes where it was collected; and the bill also requires the tolls to be eliminated once the lane is paid for. In addition, there would be electronic collection – no cash tolls or tollbooths.

Despite strong opposition from influential members of Congress, the amendment passed by a vote of 231-193.

"We heard reports from several Congressional offices that truckers were literally flooding their phones with calls on the tolling provisions," stated Johnston.

"This is an important victory for truckers and other highway users. It shows what can happen when we all work together."

Contact: Todd Spencer, OOIDA, (816) 229-5791

Founded in 1973, OOIDA is the national trade association representing the interests of small business trucking professionals in the United States of America. Small business truckers (companies operating six or fewer trucks) comprise over 70% of the motor carrier industry. OOIDA represents more truck drivers and more trucking companies than any other association in that industry. The Association currently has over 108,000 active members from all 50 states.