MATT O’BRIEN, Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island House of Representatives has approved a plan to charge big-rig trucks to travel through the state.
Members of the House voted 52-21 Wednesday night in favor of the truck toll plan proposed by Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo to finance repairs to the state’s deteriorating bridges. The Senate is set to vote Thursday.
The Democrat-controlled House shot down several amendments, including one by Republicans to ease the toll burden on local truckers by giving them subsidies and tax credits.
A noisy convoy of trucks circled the State House with horns blaring in protest before lawmakers assembled.
Local truckers have decried the bill they say unfairly targets them to pay for road wear-and-tear that is a shared responsibility.
The following Democrat representatives broke with the Speaker and party lines and voted “no”: Dennis Canario, Gregory Costantino, Ray Hull, Karen MacBeth, Michael Marcello, Jared Nunes, Robert Phillips, Joseph Solomon, and Thomas Winfield.
