Maine passes bill to increase weight limits

To help fight the growing cost of diesel fuel, the Governor of Maine has signed LD 2155, Resolve, To Assist Maine’s Forest Products Industry. He signed it only a few hours after it passed in the House. The resolve allows for a temporary 5% increase in weight tolerances for trucks hauling forest products in Maine. The bill was also endorsed 13-0 by Maine's Transportation Committee.

“We know that our forest product industry and Maine’s truckers are being hurt by record high diesel prices,” Governor Baldacci said. “They are struggling right now; and they need help. With the quick action on this legislation, they’ll get some relief right now.”

Click here for the official press release from Maine.gov.

The Governor of Maine also announced that they would submit a new bill that would temporarily exempt truck drivers from the sales tax.

A similar measure in the state of Georgia could help breathe new life into the forest economy. If you have thoughts on this issue and what similar action we might take in Georgia, you are welcomed to leave them in the comments section.

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