The legislature overwhelmingly voted down a new law that would have required the DOT to regulate operators of heavy trucks and lighter trucks equally. Why do you think this is?

This was not a matter for federal legislation because only the states can regulate drivers of light trucks.

The DOT already regulates operators of heavy trucks and operators of light trucks in the same way, so the legislation was moot.

The DOT is tasked with protecting the safety of people on the roadways, and long hauls pose more such risks; therefore, more restrictive management of heavy trucks is justified.

It is the job of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to place any restrictions on these operators now. This is because the drivers of heavy trucks go on long hauls, and therefore are most likely to engage in smuggling and related activities that might pose a national security risk.

White lawmakers make up almost two-thirds of the Legislature, but only 43 percent of the state population is white. Men make up half of the state’s population but hold almost 80 percent of the Legislature's seats. Just about any way you slice the numbers, the makeup of the Legislature is at odds with that of the state.

Explanation: