OLYMPIA – The Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) is now supporting the Washington State Patrol’s enforcement of English Language Proficiency (ELP) to maintain safety on state roadways.
Sheri Call, President and CEO of WTA, expressed concerns in a press release over a potential $10 million loss in federal funds due to ELP enforcement issues. Call emphasized the importance of collaboration with law enforcement to uphold safety standards.
In a letter to Governor Bob Ferguson, Call stated, “Our collaboration with law enforcement is essential in ensuring consistent application of regulations and maintaining high safety standards.”
She continued by highlighting the risk of losing funding, “We cannot remain silent about the threat a lack of enforcement in our state poses to funding our law enforcement resources.”
Call also noted the diversity among professional drivers in Washington, saying, “Our professional drivers reflect Washington’s diversity and are vital to industries across the state. They have consistently met English proficiency standards.”
The letter concluded with a call for a balanced approach, stressing the need to respect worker diversity while ensuring robust enforcement to maintain safety and economic vitality.
