SMART-TD Oklahoma crew battle has begun — time to weigh in!

February 23, 2024

Home>News>Transportation>Two-person railroad crews>SMART-TD Oklahoma crew battle has begun — time to weigh in!

As a direct result of the powerful message we’ve sent to two state legislators and the work by Oklahoma’s State Legislative Board, a two-person rail crew bill will be heard in the House of Representatives’ transportation committee.

Yet H.B. 1075 needs your continued help to progress through the legislative process. Please continue to encourage the Transportation Committee chairpersons in the state House and Senate to move on this critical rail safety legislation by following the link in the email all Oklahoma members recieved from Brother Pense.

Our hearing for House Bill 1075 is Tuesday, February 27. There, SMART-TD Oklahoma State Legislative Director Kyle Pense and the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Ken Luttrell (R 37th Dist.), will have the opportunity to speak our truth to power.

Oklahoma State Legislative Director Kyle Pense

Oklahoma members continue to play a significant role in applying needed political pressure to push 2PC through the process. This month, Brother Pense sent out a call to action to our Oklahoma members, and they answered. SMART-TD members, their friends and family have emailed and sent numerous messages supporting 2PC. These strategically chosen targets received roughly 120 emails each from Oklahoma residents. 

“We don’t have the deep pockets of UP, BNSF, and CPKC,” SLD Pense said. “We are pushing this 2PC bill by pounding the steps at the state House.”

Brother Pense took over as Oklahoma’s State SLD in 2020. He and his legislative board have been relentlessly knocking on office doors at the capitol building in Oklahoma City ever since. After four years, more of those doors are opening now than ever before.

This is not the first time 2PC has been introduced in Oklahoma. It is the first time this union has shown our bottom-up strength of member outreach in this state House. The results are in. You are being heard. Your messages and the cumulative gains made have put this year’s effort in a better position to become law than it has in years prior. Please continue the momentum!