Md Motor Truck Assn Supports Senator Pipkin Bill for Oversight of Toll Increases 2-25-09

The Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) issued a harsh rebuke to the O'Malley Administration for sharply increasing tolls on the trucking industry in difficult economic times.  MMTA President Anne S. Ferro testified in support of Senator EJ Pipkin's Senate Bill 477 that would require legislative consent prior to any toll increases by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA).

Ferro described the MdTA's actions as "swift and brutal" to the trucking industry and entirely contrary to a MdTA proposal last fall to phase in toll increase over several years that was developed in collaboration with the business community.  Currently, the Board of the MdTA has full authority to raise tolls without legislative approval.  The Board is appointed by Governor O'Malley.

At a caucus meeting in January with MdTA representatives, Republican Senators questioned not only the timing of the 50% fee increase but also the lack of transparency in the rapid-fire decision-making process.  The agency provided a public comment period of only 22 days between the announcement of the Board's intention to raise fees and their final adoption.

To learn more about the fee increase and the efforts of the motor truck industry to reverse the MdTA actions, click here.