Booming Truck Industry Wants Tax Relief
A truckers' organization, the Owner-Operator/Independent Drivers'
Association has sued New York, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois for fuel tax
rebates for mileage driven on toll roads, according to the Journal
of Commerce. The group argues that because the NY State Thruway and
other toll roads are self-financing via toll collections, gas tax collection
from trucks that use those roads constitutes "unfair double taxation
and a burden on interstate commerce. Commercial truck owners must annually
reconcile fuel-tax payments with mileage driven in each state, filing returns
with the International Fuel Tax Association. Each year, the association
transfers tax receipts between states depending on truck-miles driven on
each state's roads.
It is unclear whether the truckers' suit estimates overall social
expenditure in the four states to keep trucks moving. Heavy vehicles
cause the majority of road damage, and use non-toll roads extensively.
A 1994 report issued by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign found that
overall roadway transportation in NY State cost roughly $2 billion more
per year than the state received in all forms of road user fees like
fuel taxes, road tolls and registration fees. Meanwhile, economic reports
suggest that the freight-hauling industry, especially the trucking sector,
is enjoying exceptionally prosperous times.
