Arkansas lawmakers propose trucker tax break repeal

The exemption would have been paid for by the diesel tax increase, but Arkansas Trucking Association backed away from the hike after it said it didn't believe it could pass. Voters instead in November approved extending a $575 million highway bond program.

The Associated Press

2/10/2012

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas lawmakers are proposing a repeal of a tax exemption for truckers following the state trucking lobby's decision last year to pull its support for a 5-cent diesel tax increase.

Arkansas House Speaker Robert Moore and Rep. Larry Cowling on Thursday proposed repealing the exemption that is set to go into effect on July 1. The Legislature convenes on Monday for a session focused primarily on the state's budget.

Since it's not a budget bill, the proposed repeal requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber to be considered.

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The exemption would have been paid for by the diesel tax increase, but Arkansas Trucking Association backed away from the hike after it said it didn't believe it could pass. Voters instead in November approved extending a $575 million highway bond program.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.

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