LANSING – State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today joined Governor Jennifer M. Granholm during a signing ceremony to usher in a new law that protects Michigan's logging industry and the jobs it provides for Michigan workers by easing restrictions on how loggers transport their equipment.
"This is a burdensome law that was threatening the livelihood of Michigan loggers," Ebli said. "As a state, we simply can't afford to lose any more jobs. We need to be doing everything we can to protect the jobs we already have. This simple change will make it easier for loggers to do their job and help support an industry that's been a way of life for generations of Michigan residents."
Under current Michigan law, it is illegal for tractor trailers to be pulling a log slasher – which is used to cut delimbed trees into different lengths – and a saw table when traveling between logging sites. While this has been a common practice for loggers for years, according to the Michigan Association of Timbermen (MAT), it wasn't until recently that loggers began receiving citations for having an illegal trailer combination.
The new law will allow a tractor trailer to pull a log slasher and a saw, as long as their combined length does not exceed 58 feet. There will be no overall length restrictions for the two pieces of equipment as long as neither unit exceeds 28 1/2 feet.
"These two tools are vital to the operation of our logging industry," Ebli said. "Not only have timbermen been hauling their equipment this way for decades, but according to the MAT, it also is the safest way to move this machinery. We shouldn't be ticketing our workers when they follow safe and conventional practices when they move from job to job. I applaud my colleagues in the Legislature for working proactively to help such an exceptional group of Michigan workers."