In an attempt to sell his proposed transportation funding plan, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam is claiming that truckers are supporting an increase in diesel taxes.
Gov. Haslam’s transportation plan which he proposed last week would spend $10 billion on projects across the state. The “IMPROVE Act” as he’s calling it would rely on funding from sources including a 12-cent diesel tax increase, a 7-cent gas tax increase, and new passenger-vehicle registration fees.
Though this would be the first increase in fuel taxes in Tennessee since 1989, the proposal isn’t exactly popular with Tennessee lawmakers who point to the state’s $1 billion surplus in the general fund.
Gov. Haslam said that he understands that lawmakers have an obligation to speak for the interests of their constituents. So to not raise taxes on Tennessee residents, Haslam plans to cut taxes in other areas. Critics point out that this allows Gov. Haslam to raise taxes on drivers passing through the state, but keeps taxes for voters in Tennessee mostly level.
Still, Gov. Haslam claims that the trucking industry supports the tax proposal even though it would mean more tax increases for truckers.
“They’re the ones who do the math, and they’re the ones who say is it worth it for me to pay more and have better roads so there’s less wear and tear on my vehicle and my drivers and my products get where they should be on time,” Gov. Haslam said according to The Tennessean.
“If the people who make a living off of that say ‘I’m willing to pay more because it will save me money,’ I think it speaks volumes,” he said.
Source: tennessean, wbbjtv, newsok, tennessean, tennessean, tennessean
Percheron1 says
We want higher taxes said No American Ever…:(
No American Ever says
I have way to much money…
Doyle Vaughn says
The owner of pilot truck stops….
Fred Finster Wb7ody says
The brother, Jimmie Haslam is owner of Pilot truck stop and Cleveland Browns. Jimmie knows about squeezing truck owners out of fuel money, from NOT paying back supposed fuel discounts. I wish Governor Bill Haslam well in raising tax money to improve roads.
James says
Well to be fair brother of the owner but wanna bet he is a silent partner or is a major investor
Steve says
What driver passes through a state happy that he’s being charged more money?! Those Haslems are always trying to fleece a trucker I tell you.
John says
Sure…..I don’t pay enough taxes as it is, so I may as well give the rest of my paycheck to Tennessee so the governor can have a bigger house and fancier cars and better food and free medical care for him and his buddies.
If states better used what funding they get instead of pocketing it, all roads and bridges would be in better shape.
Crackerjack says
His brother is in desperate need of real players on his football team.( Brown’s)
Jon says
TN Governor is a fool ! OTR trucks have big tanks, this guy just gave the States around TN more fuel business !
Cliff Downing says
You don’t understand how IFTA works. it doesn’t matter where you buy your fuel, you have to pay taxes to the state you travel thru for the fuel you use in the state. Only small trucks that do not fall within IFTA guidelines can do what you suggest.
DonM says
You dont know what you are talking about. You need to study up on the IFTA structure. You still have to pay yout state fuel taxes, and whatever each state charges you have to pay that rate no mater where you buy fuel.
Bill says
DonM. No you don’t understand. The company I am leased to pays the IFTA so I don’t give a damn. I buy my fuel where it is cheapest and avoid the high tax states. Unfortunately, this would mean Tennessee would still get their tax money, just not from me.
Michael Gallegos says
Idiocy: how does paying more SAVE money ???
Inquiring minds want to know about such wisdom.
Chris says
The wear and tear on machine and human gets expensive over time, if a truck goes in the shop for suspension work that can easily be $3,000 in parts and labor. Now if a driver is bouncing all over the place they take the chance of bodily injuries from reptured disc in the back to other joint issues, ends up costing the company for workers comp insurance claims and down time for the driver.
Smoother roads make it easier on people and equipment, look beyond only the picture of higher taxes and what it does down the line
Dan may says
Lmao!!!! I live in Memphis. I wonder how many truck owners spoke to that said
Or even uttered that crap!!! He’s an idiot, a thief
And as pass events have easily verified
A bold face LIAR!!!!
Joshua Weiser says
He probably asked local and company driver’s who don’t pay for the fuel because I bet if he would ask a owner operator he would be laughed out of office
Bill Flatt says
This guy better start sharing. I haven’t had stuff that good in 30 years!
William Batezell says
No Trucker will agree to diesel taxes ever.
Cliff Downing says
I always like this communist tactic of trying to say the truckers want something when it is actually some trucking groups. The ATA, for instance, isn’t really the American Trucking Association.. it is the Anti Trucking Association. The TCA is not the Truckload Carriers Association, but the Trucking Communists Association. Neither of which has the interests of truckers in mind. Oh, they try to do little things to make it look like they do. But hey, don’t piss down my back and try to tell me it’s raining.
Pete says
What a way to make America great again. Sure, stick it to the trucker, like we don’t have enough to deal with, from greedy brokers, electronic log books, driverless trucks, or trucks that are going to cost us $7000 to lease…. and this idiot wants to increase the fuel tax to fix the roads, aren’t we all paying for that already? It’s called ” Heavy Vehicle Use” Form 2290 of the IRS. The way things are going, it sure looks like moving to Russia or even Syria a better option.
Mike Stewart says
He damn sure didn’t ask me! He is nuttier than squirrel turds if he thinks ANYONE supports higher taxes!
This man needs to have his head examined!
Sandy says
I would like to know what planet this guy lives on. The Trucking industry is already taxed to the hilt. Oh and wasn’t there something mentioned bout TN having a surplus? Yes we do do the math, looks like gov is looking to line his pocket. If this goes thru and if rds and bridges stay crap in TN then TN should have to help pay for tires and repairs to trucks that run thru his state. Only fair… just sayin
JAMES says
Cliff Downing you are only sort of correct. Under IFTA you would only pay taxes on the actual miles you drive in that state. If you buy no fuel in that state then all you pay is the tax on those miles. So if I stop in Cornerville, TN on 65 and I am empty, if I fill up I am paying taxes on 230 +/- gallons and only driving what 130 miles. If I fuel in Alabama and drive I65 north I’m driving the same distance and only paying taxes on the 130 or so miles not the 230+/- gallons. They are gonna get their cut from IFTA but they won’t get the extra.
James C says
Sounds just as disconnected from reality as his brother, doesn’t he?
I wonder if the FBI will be raiding the governor’s offices anytime soon….
Hmm.
Bill says
Aren’t we all being taken for a ride?
Felix says
Just like a politician ever one wants to pay more if I need more money i tell the people I work for that I need more and they give it to me.
Then I wake up
Scott Ayers says
As an owner operator who KNOWS how IFTA fuel tax works, I agree with the governor. If I over buy fuel in Tennessee the tax overage gets distributed to the other states I ran in if I owe them taxes. As a single truck owner operator, fuel tax is a very minor expense.
James Williams says
Remember everyone, he is the brother of Flying J Pilot jimmy. And still owns 40% of that. Even his brother says the same stuff. Like he didn’t know the scam took place. So now his Gov brother says truckers want the increase. Well the only person I heard say “increase fuel taxes” was that blow hard CEO Derek Weavers of Werner.
Mack Harris says
Pretty cool that every pilot fuel stop in tn has a new exit built into it an the state has no rd money now this crook claims we want more taxes wow just how stupid does he want us to be
Brian White says
Someone needs to administer a drug test on the Governor.
Barney Big Rig says
So governor Haslam must have fell down & bumped his head if he thinks truckers want higher fuel taxes in an industry that’s already strangled by over regulation, taxes & beaurocratic red tape!! Maybe he should take his brother aside & tell him to sell the Cleveland Browns!! The Haslam family make billions of dollars on the backs of the commercial drivers every year @ the Pilot/Flying “J”!! NO MORE TAXES BEAUROCRATS!!
Lance N. says
I have said for YEARS the government needs to RAISE fuel taxes. Not just diesel, all road fuels.
Ryan Komlo says
Damnit, I checked the wrong box when they asked me about higher taxes. My bad
Tommy says
Liar we want cheaper taxes, oh but wait your brother owner of pilot/flying j cheats trucking companies out of promised fuel rates and still isn’t being prosecuted
John says
Gee….This coming from the Governor who’s *brother* is the CEO of the Pilot/Flying J organization, and there’s been nothing corrupt going on there…..Right???
William Scott Womack says
I am going to invent a device that will electronically log date , time, place of rough road and it will be similarly to a taxi meter, adding up the damage caused by the rough roads and every state will be charged accordingly.
Gary says
Drop dead governor!! We the American trucker are running for the SAME rates per mile we were in the 1990s, so WHY would I want to pay more taxes?!?!?!?
NO WAY!!!!!! Your wages have gone up, not mine.
Ronnie Blackwell says
Just remember fuel prices will go back up and when they do higher fuel tax will make fuel higher than ever
James says
I can easily drive across Tennessee and back at its widest point without fueling. I’ll do as I always do which is to plan. I check fuel prices before and after my stops, then purchase where it makes sense based on cost. I hope he’s accounting for all the lost revenue & jobs when truck drivers decide to buy in other states.
How about tapping some of the billion dollar surplus to fix the roads… oh, and lay off the crack, governor.