Kemp urges federal government to change minimum age for truck drivers to ease supply chain issues

ATLANTA — Georgia’s governor put the focus Monday at the state capitol on the supply chain.

Leaders from transportation, retail, government and the private sector all convened to look at what can be done at the state level.

“Supply chain interruptions don’t just hurt job creators, it also hits Georgia families in their wallets,” Gov. Brian Kemp said.

The Georgia Ports Authority says it is taking a major step to ease delays at the Port of Savannah.

It has partnered with railroad giants Norfolk Southern and CSX to lease unused warehouse space on the coast and in metro Atlanta.

What’s called the dwell time for goods at Port of Savannah is typically four to five days, but right now it is double that.

“In the next couple weeks, you are going to see us open three facilities and then by the end of the year we hope for eight facilities. What that does, it creates off-terminal capacity and clears up our yard, and helps us clean up those ships at anchor,” Griff Lynch, executive director of the Georgia Ports Authority said.

TRENDING STORIES:

• EXCLUSIVE: New Channel 2 poll shows Andre Dickens taking lead in mayor’s race
• 8-year-old with autism still missing in Gwinnett County more than 24 hours later
• Cobb County couple was shot multiple times after neighbor broke into their home, warrants reveal

Trucking companies told the governor their biggest issue is staffing. There are not enough drivers.

That’s why Kemp is pushing the Biden administration to allow 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain an interstate commercial driver’s license. Right now, you must be 21.

Kemp said changing the age limit could add an extra 25,000 drivers a year.

The recently passed infrastructure bill does create a pilot program for under-21 drivers.

“Our point is let’s have a sense of urgency let’s implement it right now and get it going and try to start solving the problems we have,” Kemp said.

Kemp joined governors of 14 other states Monday in a letter to President Biden asking that age limit be changed by mid-January.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Lawmakers pass new Georgia congressional map, Gov. Kemp expected to sign it into law The map that passed was the same one the state Senate passed on Friday. It will now go to Governor Kemp’s desk for signature.

©2021 Cox Media Group