Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/555101
98 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | AUGUST 2015 JOURNAL NEWS R hode Island lawmakers ended their regular session June 25 without approving a plan to fund repair of the state's deteriorating infrastructure by adding a truck-only user fee on about two dozen bridges. Gov. Gina Raimondo rolled out Rhodeworks May 27, a 10-year transportation funding plan to be included in the upcoming state budget. Originally, it would toll Class 6 trucks and higher, but quickly was amended to affect only Class 8 trucks, once per loca- tion per day. On June 23, the assembly passed the 2016 budget without the Democrat governor's toll proposal. Later that day, the Senate overwhelmingly approved a new truck toll bill, but with an aver- age toll of $3.50 instead of $6. It also included rebates and tax credits for state businesses, but the Rhode Island Trucking Association said those might violate interstate commerce laws. Still, House members adjourned for the summer without considering the tolling bill. Democrat House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said more infor- mation was needed about tolling as a means of repairing the state's status as having the nation's least safe bridges. RITA President Christopher Maxwell said the battle against tolling will con- tinue because legislators could revisit the plan. "It's more of a pause than a victory," Maxwell said. The state's top lawmakers had not discussed tolling with stakeholders before introducing the proposal, he said. RITA and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association had asked the Federal Highway Administration if imposing tolls on Interstate 95 bridges would violate fed- eral tolling laws on existing interstates. FHWA responded that it currently lacked sufficient information to render an opinion. – Jill Dunn There's no beating the ease of doing business with your trusted local truck parts distributor. As part of North America's Leading Truck Parts Network ® , your local VIPAR Heavy Duty Parts Professional offers the brands you want and the expertise you need, with the strength and resources of a network of over 500 locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The Right People. The Right Parts. The Right Places. Find out more at www.vipar.com © 2014 VIPAR Heavy Duty The Expertise of Your Local Truck Parts Professional Backed by the Power of a North American Network www.VIPAR.com VIPAR CCJ_45x735_021814.indd 1 2/18/14 1:24 PM Untitled-6 1 2/23/15 2:29 PM The Rhode Island Trucking Association said the battle against truck-only tolling will continue because legislators could revisit the plan. Rhode Island ends legislative session without truck toll plan