OPINION
THE MESA TRIBUNE | AUGUST 15, 2021
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Twin 33s a viable solution to green shipping BY DENNY BARNEY Tribune Guest Writer
T
he well-being of our environment is more important than ever. As such, it’s time for us to consider modernizing our trucking industry, which moves about 72 percent of all freight in the United States. When we order packages online, a domino effect occurs of boxes being loaded onto trucks to those trucks hitting the highways to hardworking delivery people dropping packages off at America’s doorsteps. Thankfully, there is a simple solution to get this process done more ef�iciently and sustainably by modernizing federal regulations to allow trailers that are �ive feet longer than the 28-foot trailers currently permitted. Arizona is one of 20 states in the U.S. that allow twin 33-foot trailers to operate. Lawmakers know the environmental
Voting rights laws should be both legal and ethical
The Supreme Court ruled recently that certain Arizona voting rules do not violate the Voting Rights Act. But just because something is legal doesn’t mean it is ethical. We all are familiar with the moral concept of balancing the letter and the spirit of the law. When we talk about observing the spirit of the law, we are acknowledging that the highest morality involves asking what is the best we can do, not what is the most we can get away with. This framework can help us consider laws within their historical context, where we ask about the intent of the law and the people it seeks to protect or potentially exclude. Historians agree that Congress intended the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to provide expansive protections for the right to vote. Just a year prior, some senators thought a voting rights law unnecessary.
and economic gains these trailers bring to our state and the technological advancements that make them safe. Unfortunately, the remaining 30 states still adhere to the federal regulation set in the 1980s mandating that trailers cannot exceed more than 28 feet. This regulation, set before the emergence of modern technology and our heavy reliance on e-commerce, does not take current obstacles of the shipping industry or our country’s increasing need for environmental sustainability into consideration. “Twin 33s” are merely �ive feet longer than the trailers currently allowed by federal law, but their long-term bene�its are clear. In addition to far-reaching safety and economic gains, these trailers play a crucial role in our �ight to preserve our environment by using less gas and reducing carbon emissions. In fact, the Americans for Modern Transportation, noted that the adoption
of Twin 33’ trailers equates to 274 million fewer gallons of fuel, 3.12 million fewer tons of CO2 emissions and 3.36 billion fewer vehicle miles traveled with transportation ef�iciencies. Aside from using less gas and requiring fewer miles driven, Twin 33 trailers increase freight capacity by 18 percent while following the 80,000-lb. weight limit on truck freight. Given the various sizes and shapes of boxes our packages come in, these trailers get more people what they need by �itting a higher volume of boxes containing America’s multitude of online orders. Trucks drive our nation’s economy, transporting a majority of freight each year and supplying our businesses with the goods they need to prosper. As e-commerce continues to grow exponentially and more people rely on the ability to run their errands with the press of a button, our shipping industry must adapt to keep pace with our mod-
ern needs. The use of Twin 33s in Arizona has already proved successful, but because of the decades-old federal regulation they are not allowed to cross state borders. If the rest of the country allowed Twin 33s, we would see faster shipping times, thriving interstate commerce, and far less strain on our environment. As we watch our nation’s infrastructure strive to become greener each day, our lawmakers should ensure the shipping industry does not fall behind by implementing greener policies like the adoption of Twin 33s. I hope our senators will help the rest of the country experience the bene�its of Twin 33s by advocating for their federal adoption in Congress.
Illinois Republican Everett Dirksen had already worked tirelessly to pass the Civil Rights Act, because he understood the moral imperative of equality, suggesting that “stronger than all the armies” is a law whose “time has come.” However, after witnessing the horrifying violence of Bloody Sunday, Dirksen realized the Civil Rights Act was insuf�icient in protecting the right to vote, so he helped draft the revolutionary bill. Exemplifying this noble spirit, the VRA has been accepted as one of the crown jewels of American democracy. Looking for the underlying spirit can also reveal examples of laws with discriminatory purposes, even if the letter of the law appears neutral. For instance, literacy tests for voting registration were designed to seem fair on their face, but they were often written and employed with racist intent to disenfranchise Black Americans. What was the spirit of the Arizona voting
law addressed in the Brnovich decision, where the Court upheld policies that ban ballot collecting and throw out all out-ofprecinct ballots? Although the law does not mention race, the effect of prohibiting volunteer collection of ballots is borne disproportionately by some Arizonans: Only 18 percent of Native Americans living on tribal lands have mail service to their homes. As such, prohibiting ballot collecting can have a severe impact on casting a ballot. What could be the spirit behind trying to make it harder for them to vote? The out-of-precinct policy also has discriminatory effects. As Justice Kagan pointed out in her dissent, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Black Americans in Arizona were twice as likely to have their ballots discarded than white voters. Even if this result is accidental, a state committed to voting rights would seek to �ix this imbalance. We must be united in our commitment
to protect every American’s right to vote. We believe there were inspired elements to the Founding Fathers’ conception of “a more perfect union.” As women of faith in the 21st century, we too ask: How can we form a more perfect union? Our faith compels us to seek the higher path — to speak out and do better. Let’s call on our senators to pass new laws that uphold the spirit of the Voting Rights Act, to ensure that every American’s right to vote is sacred. We face a formative moment in our democracy where we can determine what spirit to imbue into new legislation. We deserve voting laws that are both legal and ethical.
Denny Barney is president and CEO of East Valley Partnership, a business owner and a former Maricopa County Supervisor. ■
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Christie Black is a director of advocacy for Mormon Women for Ethical Government. She resides in Mesa. Gilbert resident, Rachel Albertsen is the director of special projects for MWEG. ■ Rachel Albertsen Christie Black
