Senators reject higher taxes, fees for trucks

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State senators rejected higher diesel fuel taxes and trucking fees Wednesday, citing concerns they could drive some trucking firms out of Missouri.

The votes came as the Senate debated a sweeping transportation bill that would extend the life of a 6-cent motor fuel tax, place more restrictions and fees on billboard owners and allow larger highway construction contracts.

Sen. Ken Jacob, D-Columbia, sought to add the trucking provisions through amendments, which were solidly defeated on five votes.

Jacob said big trucks cause $75 million more in damage to the state's highways than they pay in taxes and fees. He said his proposal would have raised $45 million annually for the state and $17 million for local governments.

Diesel fuel tax

His amendments would have raised the diesel fuel tax to 20 cents from 17 cents, raised commercial truck registration fees by 30 percent and raised commercial driver's license fees to $60 from $40 annually.

"It's something that really breaks the back of our truckers if we impose these kinds of restrictions and fees," said Sen. David Klindt, R-Bethany, one of the opponents to the amendments.

Jacob also had sought to lower the speed limit for heavy trucks to 65 mph on rural interstates and freeways, instead of the 70 mph currently allowed for all vehicles.

That amendment never received a vote because it was ruled out of order for going beyond the scope of the bill.

Senators quit Wednesday without voting on the overall legislation.

The bill, by Sen. Morris Westfall, R-Halfway, includes no increases in the motor fuel taxes or state sales taxes. Those items are included in a separate bill that has yet to come up for Senate debate and which, if approved by lawmakers, would go to a statewide vote.

None of the items in the transportation bill debated Wednesday would require a public vote.

One provision would extend indefinitely an existing 6-cent motor fuel tax set to expire April 1, 2008.

Another would extend the jet fuel tax through 2008, instead of through 2003, and would remove the $5 million cap on how much of the tax can go to a state aviation fund.