GBN Mocks RIDOT Call for Trucker Bans on Secondary Roads
RIDOT Giving Fake Reason For Decree, Political Bullies
Providence, RI??- After Rhode Islanders witnessed a partial solar eclipse, the Gaspee Business Network today lauds the decision of the State Traffic Commission in seeing through the RI Department of Transportation’s “total eclipse of the truth” in its dishonest request last week to ban truckers from engaging in free commerce. Already suffering with the 45th worst business climate in the nation, the State of Rhode Island is being asked to consider restricting the free movement of goods on secondary roads.
As the result of a politically motivated request from the State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) against an outspoken political foe, the State Traffic Commission at the State House was asked to consider an extreme action to punish truckers in a not so veiled ploy to force them to pay future tolls.??
In a narrow, 3-2 vote the plan to restrict trucks on??certain roads failed to pass through the Traffic Commission, but the door remains open for future votes on this??un-American decree by unelected bureaucrats. The RIDOT falsely cited safety concerns as the reason behind this request.
In no uncertain terms, the Gaspee Business Network (GBN) condemns this petty political bullying by the RIDOT against the trucking industry. GBN calls for the immediate and permanent halt of this misguided plan.??
In a statement released by the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity, a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization, the Center warned that this ban was reminiscent of soviet-style totalitarianism. The Center also said this ban on the liberty of free movement is not something they would expect to see in America.??
???Once again, the full dishonesty of the State is on display with its new tyrannical ban only being applied to tractor trailers. If this was really about safety, it would be applied to all heavy vehicles including garbage and recycling trucks,??? said Mike Collins, Captain of the GBN. ???Why does the state continue to lie to the people of Rhode Island? Believe me, this is all about tolls. They???re not fooling anyone.“