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Current Events

Heavy Trucks Damaging Roads

 The Michigan auditor general Thomas Mctavish, claims that heavy trucks do more damage to Michigan roads then they pay for through special taxes, licensing, and fees. Auditors claim that currently, the 15 million collected each year by these fees is only enough to cover a fraction of the 120 millions dollars in yearly estimated damage. MDOT, or the Michigan Department claims that it s not there responsibility to raise taxes and fees, but they do agree with the findings from the Auditors. Suggestions have been made to raise fees, but some disagree with this proposal. One proposal is to raise the diesel fuel tax from 15 to 19 cents.Michigan allows some of the heaviest trucks at 165,000 pounds but also charges some of the highest fees at up to $3,500 every year for these vehicles.

 I believe that the idea of raising fees again is not fair to truckers. In hard economic times this would put further strain on their personal finances, or on the business they work for. It would be more reasonable to work on a plan to upgrade more of Michigan’s highways to concrete. Even though it cost many times more the asphalt, its expected life is much longer. With gas prices rising, it seems that increasing the tax on diesel fuel could only put more strain on the economy raising business's cost to ship goods, and lower truckers profit margin.

**Heavy trucks damage roads, but don't pay enough for it, audit says**

The state doesn't charge operators of heavy, oversize rigs enough to cover the harm they do to roads, a report by Michigan Auditor General Thomas McTavish's office concludes. Heavy loads tear up concrete and stress bridges to the tune of $135 million a year -- yet by law, the Michigan Department of Transportation receives only a fraction of that amount annually to counteract the damage, according to the report. MDOT uses the fees to leverage federal funds that require an 80-20 local match. The fees charged for the heaviest trucks end up raising about $15 million a year -- still $120 million short of the overall yearly damage auditors blamed on the heaviest trucks. The audit recommends MDOT review its fee structure but notes that it's ultimately up to the Legislature and the governor to raise fees on heavy trucks. The audit said MDOT officials agreed with the report's findings and will complete a formal review by July 1. "If the Legislature wants to change the fees, it can," MDOT spokesman Bill Schreck said Thursday. "We don't get to make that decision." Raising additional road money through higher gasoline or diesel taxes or fees on trucks hasn't gained traction as Michigan struggles through its worst economy in decades. MDOT said it allows trucks up to 164,000 pounds -- among the nation's highest limits -- but requires the weight be distributed over more axles, reducing the impact. The department said trucks more than 80,000 pounds represent less than 5% of commercial truck traffic in Michigan. Reducing the top limits would lead to more trucks on the road, more traffic delays and a higher risk of crashes, it said. Walt Heinritzi, executive director of the Michigan Trucking Association in Lansing, said truckers already shoulder a big proportion of road funding through high truck registration fees and taxes on diesel fuel -- 15 cents a gallon in Michigan on top of 24.4 cents a gallon in federal tax. State registration fees for the heaviest trucks can hit $3,500 a year, double the cost for trucks 80,000 pounds or less, Heinritzi said. Some advocates have urged raising the state's diesel tax to 19 cents a gallon, on par with the state's regular gas tax. Heinritzi argued that adding costs would have a ripple effect on consumer prices and the larger economy.