Earlier this month we lost a paper industry legend and a dear friend to many.  This is a close-knit business we find ourselves in and the relationships we build stand the test of time.  And so, it was with Tom Gallagher. Affectionately known as Moose to his friends, Tom was born in Portsmouth, Ohio in 1947. He left us on July 5 at the age of 77.  He lived his live to the fullest and those who knew him can attest to that.  Tom attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1977.  He remained a lifelong and loyal Buckeye.  Many of us got to know Tom as the sales leader at MEAD during the 80’s and 90’s where he spent a majority of his career.  After retiring from Mead Westvaco in 2003 he was recruited to work for the  West Linn Paper Company and subsequently finished his paper career at Port Hawkesbury.   Tom was larger than life in so many ways.  He filled a room with laughter and energy.  You would not find a more loyal friend and partner.  But you did not want to test his Irish temper.  He encountered physical challenges later in life and it never got him down.  His spirit prevailed and he was always ready for the call.  As the Irish say, “his likes will not be seen again”.  And so, we leave him to the rest of his journey and cherish the memories he created with us. Tom had 4 children and 9 grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Cheryl (Rice) Gallagher.  Safe home Tom Gallagher.

The American Trucking Associations applauded congressional leaders for introducing legislation to repeal the antiquated federal excise tax on the purchase of new trucks and trailers. “First implemented over a century ago to help finance America’s effort in World War I, the FET has become the largest excise tax on any product, adding $24,000 to the cost of each new clean-diesel tractor-trailer,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear. “Keeping this antiquated tax on the books imposes an enormous hardship, particularly for the small fleets, family businesses, and independent truckers who make up the overwhelming majority of trucking. Removing this burden will allow motor carriers to replace their trucks with modern, safer, and cleaner equipment, which will in turn provide a boost to manufacturing jobs. Our industry is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on this issue to improve highway safety, reduce emissions, and strengthen our economy.” The FET began in 1917 to help finance World War I. Today, it is the highest percentage federal excise tax – at 12 percent – levied on any product, amounting to a $6 billion annual burden on the trucking industry.

“After a scant 0.1% decline in January, which wasn’t bad considering the harsh winter weather and California wildfires, truck tonnage had a robust gain in February” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “This outcome fits well with our growing optimism for the truck freight market after a two-year recession. Some of the gain in February was due to accelerated imports early in the year as shippers rushed to bring products into the U.S. before tariffs hit. Even accounting for this, the first two months of the year were positive, all things considered, indicating that the freight recovery has indeed begun.” In February, the ATA advanced seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index equaled 115.2, up from 111.9 in January. The index, which is based on 2015 as 100, was up 0.6% from the same month last year, the second straight year-over-year increase, which hasn’t happened since early 2023. The not seasonally adjusted index, which calculates raw changes in tonnage hauled, equaled 104.8 in February, 4.7% below January’s reading of 110.0.