Lawmaker Proposes Diesel Tax Hike

A freight transportation bill filed Thursday calls for a Goods Movement Trust Fund financed by a hike in diesel fuel taxes, but leaves open the possibility of other forms of revenue.

The Freight Focus Act of 2010, sponsored by Rep. Laura Richardson, D-Calif., also would create an office of freight planning within the Department of Transportation that would designate freight corridors, and prioritize spending on infrastructure projects to benefit goods movement.

By The Numbers: U.S. Diesel Prices.

The bill calls for a $0.12 increase on diesel fuel used for the movement of freight, and a $4 billion transfer from the general fund. According to Richardson’s summary, the bill leaves space for the addition of other revenue sources. In 2008, Richardson put forward legislation that called for a $25 fee on import containers.

-- Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com.