Article source for : ODOT Raising Permit Fees for Trucks - Possible Negative Impact for Port of Toledo
Now that the election is over I've decided to come back to ToledoTalk. I couldn't stand all the election posts during the last 4 months, so I quit coming. Hopefully we can get back to Toledo-centric posts and discussions now.
I found this article in The Blade today: http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081109/NEWS16/811090313
Basically the state of Ohio is raising fees by a few thousand percent on overweight trucks carrying goods from the Port of Toledo. The state did it to raise revenue because of falling gas tax revenue from decreased usage. However, the effect may backfire by killing the golden goose. Right now it is cheaper for shipping companies to ship to the Port of Toledo which has become a major Port on the St Lawrence Seaway. However, the new permits may be a killer for this industry and is putting several good jobs at risk. Raising permit fees suddenly makes Detroit a more desireable port to use for these companies which will move jobs and shipping activity from here to there. Furthermore, if this happens then the state will then see permit revenue fall because there will be much less demand fo overweight shipping permits.
In my opinion, this is a perfect exampe of government making a short-term revenue grab with unintended long-term consequences on hundreds of working families.