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Rep. David Ralston elected as Speaker of the House
In the Republican Caucus election today, David Ralston was elected by a vote of 55-48 as the next speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives. Rep. Ralston of course will have to go before the entire legislature when they convene again in January, but with 105 votes, the Republican Caucus should control who becomes Speaker.
Rep. Ralston, a lawyer from Blue Ridge, has long been a friend to the business community, particularly the rail industry. He has passed legislation that addressed the issue of encroachment on railroad rights-of-way. Most recently he attended the GRA fall conference and spoke at the Board of Directors meeting.
Rep. Ralston faced challengers Chairman Larry O’Neal and Rep. Bill Hembree. Rep. Ralston has stated that Rep. O’Neal will keep his chairmanship of the House Ways & Means committee. That committee is the one in which all tax bills must pass through before being considered on the floor of the House. Rep. Ralston stated that he “expects most of the committee chairs to keep doing the good work they’ve been doing.”
GRA members are strongly encouraged to send him a congratulatory note. His address is:
The Honorable David Ralston
P.O. Box 1196
Blue Ridge, GA 30513
In another election, Rep. Jan Jones, was elected as Speaker Pro Tem. She is replacing Rep. Mark Burkhalter.
Freight Rail Advantage Featured in AJC article
At the request of the Atlanta Journal Constitution GRA submitted an article for the pro/con debate on delivery of goods via freight rail vs. trucks. Here is the article that appeared in the November 15th AJC:
For the AJC
DATE: November 15, 2009
PUBLICATION: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The (GA)
EDITION: Main; The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SECTION: Business
PAGE: D7
Warren Buffett's proposed $26 billion acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad has sparked a debate about the future of freight transport, now dominated by trucking. Will delivery of goods by rail surpass delivery via trucks?
Yes
Sharon Dunn, executive director, Georgia Railroad Association
The delivery of goods by rail could surpass delivery via trucks, if for no other reason than the significant public benefits associated with freight rail. As the most environmentally friendly mode of ground transportation, railroads are an important part of the solution to a growing challenge facing the nation. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates demand for rail freight transportation, measured in tonnage, will increase 88 percent by 2035. One freight train can move one ton of freight 436 miles on a single gallon of fuel and can carry the load of 280 trucks. If 1 percent of freight currently moved by truck were moved by rail, we would save 110 million gallons of fuel and reduce greenhouse gases by 1.2 million tons. Railroads are constantly incorporating new technologies to improve safety, such as developing systems to automatically stop or slow a train if danger is ahead, further assuring efficient delivery of goods for America.
No
Edward Crowell, president and CEO, Georgia Motor Trucking Association
Warren Buffett just made the largest investment of his storied career. I hope that it works out well for him, for Berkshire Hathaway investors and BNSF employees. But in terms of freight movement and the U.S. economy, it does not change anything.
All freight modes should see growth as the economy recovers. Railroads do a good job of moving large quantities of low-value commodities over long distances and a long timeframe. There will always be a need for that type of service, and I hope it grows.
But rail cannot meet the need for time-sensitive, highly dependable, universal service throughout the nation. That's what trucks give us. They support our freedom to live, shop and work as we like, rather than being stuck near one central point. Over the past 100 years, trucking has been the best choice for most freight -- and it will be for decades to come.
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