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Rep. Mitchell goes to bat for truckers
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[NOV. 19, 2003]
FORSYTH --
Legislation co-sponsored by State Rep. Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, to
repeal a new fee imposed on trucking firms cleared its first hurdle
in the Illinois House. House Bill 3851 to repeal the commercial
distribution fee imposed on all trucks weighing more than 8,000
pounds easily passed the House Revenue Committee on Tuesday.
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"It certainly helped that
hundreds of truckers from all over Illinois came to Springfield
today, parking their big rigs near the Capitol building and holding
a rally against the onerous fees," said Mitchell.
Mitchell introduced the bill
last month in response to complaints heard throughout Illinois from
truckers impacted by the fees. "Our governor imposed these fees on
the trucking industry to bail out our state budget," Mitchell said.
"Unfortunately, many trucking firms are being forced to leave the
state and take the jobs they provide with them. I opposed this fee
and have pledged my support to have them repealed."
Mitchell added that the
Mid-West Truckers Association is reporting a decline in the number
of trucking companies registering in Illinois, while in comparison,
neighboring Indiana has seen a dramatic increase in registration
from 88,290 to 116,326 in just one year.
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State Rep.
Bill Mitchell, R-Forsyth, met Tuesday with truckers outside the
Capitol building in Springfield to discuss the need to repeal the
commercial distribution fee.
"We need downstate jobs and
can't afford to lose any more," Mitchell said. "The first step we
need to take is to repeal these fees. I will work hard to ensure
this bill receives a fair hearing on the House floor."
[News release from
Rep. Bill Mitchell]
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