Supreme Court Rules Michigan Truck Fees are Legal
he Supreme Court Monday upheld the state of Michigan's truck fees, rejecting trucking industry arguments that the $100 annual fees discouraged companies from doing business in more than one state, the Associated Press reported.
The fees apply to trucks registered in the state and trucks registered elsewhere that transport loads between two Michigan cities. They bring in about $3.6 million into the state annually and are used for the regulation of vehicles and safety programs, AP reported.
Trucking companies argued the fees could harm the trucking industry if other states imposed such taxes.
The court had considered two cases over whether the state is improperly charging truckers. It unanimously upheld a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling in the first case, American Trucking Associations Inc. v. Michigan Public Service Commission.
"We lack convincing evidence showing that the tax deters, or for that matter discriminates against, interstate activities," Justice Stephen Breyer wrote.
In the second case, MID-CON Freight Systems Inc. v. Michigan Public Service Commission, the court ruled 6-3 to uphold the lower appeals court, AP reported.
The lower court had upheld the fees, noting the state's interest in regulating highway safety.
Michigan had argued the fees account for the largest source of revenue for motor carrier regulations by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
The decision means Michigan will be able to bring in $4.5 million to $5 million a year for highway safety, said Allison Pierce, a spokesomwan for Michigan Attorney General Michael Cox.
