Laidoffsick posted:Dominic Mazoch posted:Can a state legally make a law about crew size? Is that a Federal call?
Absolutely! Since the FRA back down from requiring a 2 man crew, that left it open for states to vote on their own Bill, which some were already doing anyway. It really doesn't matter if a state requires a 2 man crew because the railroads will fight in court to get what they want. They always do.
No, the FRA is, essentially, leaving the crew size decision-making to the railroads, and also taken away any authority states may have tried to exert with respect to the matter as well.
“This notice of withdrawal provides FRA’s determination that no regulation of train crew staffing is appropriate and that the FRA intends to negatively preempt any state laws concerning that matter.”
Despite overwhelming testimony in favor of maintaining 2-person crews from those commenting on the matter before the FRA, the FRA determined that they would leave it to the railroads, who, of course, wanted the freedom to reduce crew sizes without any regulations getting in the way. If this looks like what has been done to environmental regulations and any number of other things under the current administration, that's because it's the same thing. Get rid of the rules, and let the companies do what they want.
Mr. Fox, we're going to let you administer the henhouse.
