Rhode Island House Budget Includes $6 Million for Trucking Industry
The $8.9 billion budget approved by Rhode Island’s House on the night of June 15 included $4 million in reductions in registration fees for large trucks. The Senate Finance Committee was considering the measure June 16.If the Senate passes the budget, it would go to Raimondo for her signature before the start of the fiscal year July 1.
The cuts in registration fees beginning in July 2017 would only apply to trucks registered in Rhode Island.
“A token gesture that falls far short of atoning for the damage of truck tolls to our business community,” Rhode Island Trucking Association CEO Chris Maxwell said.
The House’s budget also includes a $2 million clean diesel fund.
The Federal Highway Administration still is considering the legality of the truck-only tolls that are the main funding mechanism of RhodeWorks, Raimondo’s proposed revitalization of the state’s beleaguered roads and bridges.
