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American truckers win in court to stop diverting New York Thruway tolls

THE American Trucking Associations (ATA) said it was pleased that a federal court ruled against New York State's diversion of tolls paid by interstate truckers to finance tourism and recreation projects of the New York Canal System.

Said the court: "The State of New York cannot insulate the canal system from the vagaries of the political process and taxpayer preferences by imposing the cost of its upkeep on those on drive the New York Thruway in interstate commerce."

Said the ATA statement: "The courts and constitution were clear. Revenue from tolls must be spent maintaining the roads they're collected on and not diverted to finance bike paths and waterways for recreational kayaking and canoeing."

Said ATA president Chris Spear: "We hope the ruling will dissuade other states from financing their budget shortfalls on the backs of our industry."

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled in ATA's favour "because the Thruway Authority's diversion of toll revenue collected from interstate truckers to maintain the canal system violates the [Constitution's] Dormant Commerce Clause."

The Thruway Authority charges tolls for the use of several major arteries of interstate commerce, used by motor carriers to transport goods throughout the northeastern United States.

Since 1992, the Thruway Authority has owned the state's canal system and as of 2012 had maintained and improved it to the tune of over US$1.1 billion. In recent years, rising costs have reached over $100 million annually.

"It is certainly true that the canal system is a valuable asset for the state of New York and the communities along it,"

Said ATA lawyer Rich Pianka: "Residents of the state and those communities, not trucks passing through, should bear the burden of supporting the canal."