Surprise, Common Sense at the Federal Level

Susan Allen

Common sense at the Federal level? Really I’m Susan Allen stay tuned for Open Range. Both my boys work for RDO Equipment in the Pendleton and Hermiston areas selling combines and other production ag implements like seeders and headers. They and their clients being farmers and ranchers are continually moving large pieces of farm equipment from one place to another so naturally all of them have been concerned about a rumor that the Feds were going to require commercial drivers licenses known as CDLS   when farm equipment was moved on public roads or if used to take agricultural products or supplies to market.  Apparently and thankfully for our Northwest ag community that has been idea has been kabashed. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation   John Porcari was quoted last week as saying “we are not—repeat not—proposing any commercial drivers license regulations” . Wheat harvest is currently underway, and working harvest has provided many a teenager with college funds. If CDLS were  required it would mean that in many cases an operator of farm equipment would need to be 18 years or older. In this case kudos’ to transportation  officials actually heard the needs of the  ag community  as Porcari said  his group  spent the summer traveling around the Midwest listening to farmers concerns over how they would be impacted by the licensing requirements