2/27/2003

Caputo Not Backing Down in Fight

Staff
Charleston

Marion County Delegate Mike Caputo says he's not blinking in the long-standing battle against increasing the weight limits for coal trucks in West Virginia.

Legislation appears to have support in the Senate and maybe in the House.

Appearing on Thursday's MetroNews' "Talkline," Caputo says don't be so sure all will go smoothly. Two times before the House has tripped up legislation backed by the industry that would increase the hauling limits to 120,000 pounds on West Virginia highways. An amendment offered by Caputo last year on the House Floor during a special session removed the provision to allow the weights over 80,000 pounds. The amendment passed by a single vote. Caputo says most think that was a narrow victory, but he believes it was an overwhelming victory for the people of West Virginia given the odds.

"The Governor was against my amendment, the leadership of both houses was against my amendment, the most powerful industry in the state of West Virginia was against my amendment," says Caputo. "With all the odds stacked against you, you'd think you'd lose by 30-votes, not win by one."

This year's legislation is largely identical to the bill run by the Governor in 2002. The key difference is a provision that limits the coal hauling road designations to 16 counties, mostly in southern West Virginia. Only there could coal trucks be given the green light to haul the heavier weights.

Caputo says if one thinks it will remain only in those counties, they're sorely mistaken. He calls the effort to raise the weight a "cancer" that will most certainly spread across the state.

When asked about the support he has, Caputo says he never counts votes. He says he'll lay the issue on the table when his time comes and let the members vote it up or down with their conscience.

02/27/2003

Coal Truck Bill Moves On

Staff
State Capitol

A bill that raises the maximum weight on coal trucks on designated state highways to 120,000 pounds survived amendment stage in the Senate Thursday. The bill will likely pass the Senate today and be sent ot the House of Delegates where the outcome is less certain.

The legislation raises the coal truck weight limit on certain coal hauling roads in 16 counties while also increasing enforcement and penalties. The industry and its supporters say the current limit of 80,000 pounds needs to be raised to keep the coal industry profitable, but opponents argue the heavier trucks are dangerous and tear up the roads.

The bill calls for a penny a ton tax to help pay for road repairs. Proposals to raise the tax to either 25-cents or $1.00 both failed by voice vote in the Senate Thursday night.

Senator Jon Hunter of Monongalia County tried to pass the one-dollar a ton tax saying his proposal would raise 80-million dollars for road repairs compared with $875,000 raised through the one-penny tax. When that was defeated Senator Randy White of Webster County pushed for a 25-cent a ton tax arguing that amount was "reasonable", but that too was rejected.

Hunter also tried to amend out of the bill a provision that allows the Division of Highways Commissioner to approve unlimited weights for coal trucks on designated coal hauling roads of five-miles or less. Hunter called that a "huge loophole". That amendment was also defeated.

In the House, Delegate Mike Caputo plans to fight the bill. Caputo says he'll try to amend the bill to keep the weight limits where they are at no more than 80,000 pounds, but keep the enforcement provisions.

Lawmakers have considered coal truck weight legislation during the regular session last year and one special session, but have never been able to agree on a bill.