Truck Weight Changes Rejected By Senate

A proposal to reduce Michigan’s 164,000-pound gross weight limit for trucks to 80,000 pounds was rejected by the Senate on Tuesday. SB 1150 was rejected 15-22, with all Democrats voting to support the bill along with Republican Senators Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), and Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights). Senator Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion) was absent and did not vote.

Senator Coleman Young II (D-Detroit) argued that truck weight limits resembling those of other states would be a step towards the “shared sacrifice” that Republicans have called for with regard to repairing state roads. Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) cited data showing that only five percent of all trucks using Michigan roads carry more than 80,000 pounds.

Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), who once ran a family log-hauling business, argued that the legislation would be a burden on small businesses and truckers. Senators Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township), John Pappageorge (R-Troy), and Mike Green (R-Mayville) opposed the bill as well, arguing the legislation could actually lead to greater damage to the roads due to spreading more weight over fewer axles. Senator Green argued the bill could harm the agriculture industry, a core constituency of his district. Senator Bieda responded by noting that trucks used for agriculture already pay less in truck fees.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) moved to reconsider the vote which struck down the bill, and then passed the item for the day. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) said the bill’s defeat did not necessarily mean that it will not be revisited at a later date, but did not say when the Senate would reconsider it or what changes may be made.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, December 5, 2014 2:25 PM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters