April 15, 2008
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Truckers' Woes Go Well Beyond Fuel Costs
By Senator Mike Folmer

A convoy of concerned truckers recently traveled to Harrisburg to draw attention to the economic woes that they face as the cost of diesel has topped $4 per gallon.  Afterwards, a smaller group met with me to talk about their concerns.

I was surprised to learn that the cost of diesel fuel is just part of the many problems that truckers face.  Other taxes, tolls, and fees eat into the bottom line:  sales taxes, PUC tax, and truck registration fees.  Truck tires are both expensive (around $400 each) and include a $2 per tire tax; trucks need a minimum of eight tires.  Health care and government imposed mandates represent additional costs.

Other headaches for truckers are state (and local) regulations.  Independent truckers feel that they are given special attention and are singled out for enforcement – some would say harassment.  "If you're stopped, you're all but guaranteed to be cited for something – even if it's picayune," one trucker told me.

The trucking industry is a backbone of our economy.  Almost anything that we buy or use is delivered by a truck, including the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the products we consume.  Many of the costs that truckers are facing cannot be passed along.  Many would be out of business if they lost just one week of work.  The future is bleak. 

Many of the solutions rest with the federal government, such as not using tax money to subsidize other businesses (i.e., creating winners and losers); establishing national transportation and energy policies; and ensuring consistency in taxes and regulations. 

However, there are a number of things that state government can and should be doing to ease the burdens that truckers face.  A big first step would be cutting government red tape.  Like other segments of our economy, truckers need government to get off their backs. Inspectors need to both know the rules and to apply them with some common sense (for example, having one cab light out of 106 should not be a $275 fine).

At the same time, we need to be sure that state government doesn't make things any worse.  That's why I have been asking questions about the proposed sale of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  It's why I also voted against the tolling of Interstate 80.  Before we add any additional transportation costs, we need to look at how we are presently spending money to address transportation needs. 

While much of this begins with the cost of fuel, it goes well beyond fuel costs.  The next time you are in a grocery store, think about what it takes to get produce, milk, bread and other items there.  And ask yourself: what would I do if the cost of delivering these items went up because of fuel costs?  For truckers, the answer too often is to eat these costs.