Trucking Associations Continue Battle Over Registration Fee Relief in R.I.
When Rhode Island tried to remove some of the sting of its trucks-only tolling plan in July with a $4 million cut in registration fees for trucks in the Ocean State, the state’s trucking association called it “a token gesture.”
Now, Rhode Island Trucking Association President Chris Maxwell is even more upset with Gov. Gina Raimondo’s RhodeWorks plan because the scheduled July 2017 reduction in registration fees would apply to all trucks that will pay the tolls in the state, not just those which call Rhode Island home.
RELATED: Natso Joins R.I. Trucking Association in Fight Against Truck-Only Tolls
“From the outset of the RhodeWorks debate, the governor and General Assembly have demonstrated a lack of knowledge on all aspects of trucking,” Maxwell said. “Once again, their flawed relief package demonstrated a lack of understanding of how truck registrations are paid.
"Not only will they be giving back millions in revenue to Rhode Islanders through the law, but they now will be giving countless amounts of fees back to IRP-registered vehicles including all out-of-state Class 8 tractor-trailers — the class targeted by RhodeWorks — who travel through Rhode Island 24/7, 365.”
Bob Pitcher, vice president of state laws for American Trucking Associations, didn’t go after Raimondo, who spearheaded RhodeWorks. Instead, Pitcher reserved his criticism for Rhode Island’s General Assembly.
“[It seems] clear that they didn’t intend for the fee reduction to apply to vehicles based outside the state,” Pitcher said. “If they were to interpret the section that way, there would be a clear intent to discriminate, a potential violation of the Commerce Clause [of the U.S. Constitution].”
RELATED: ATA, Rhode Island Trucking Still Fighting State’s Truck-Only Tolling Plan
RIDOT spokesman Charles St. Martin declined comment on Maxwell’s and Pitcher’s claims. Marie Aberger, Raimondo’s spokeswoman, couldn’t be reached for comment.
Under RhodeWorks, Rhode Island would borrow $300 million against money coming to the state from the FAST Act, refinance previous loans for another $120 million and gain $45 million a year through the truck-only tolls. Trucks will pay $3 at each of the 14 planned tolls up to a maximum of $20 per day.
“We don’t know if this program is legal, but it is bad policy and an extortion of our industry,” said ATA President Chris Spear, whose organization, like RITA, is contemplating legal action to prevent the tolls from being installed.
RIDOT has said it hopes to begin construction on the toll gantries early in 2017 and begin collecting tolls at at least one location by the end of that year.
