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Oregon rail safety review calls for more inspectors, emergency training
Can the state put on a fee (tax) on ICC shipments?
A similar fee was put on in California and the RRs have already accepted it.
Rather than single out crude-by-rail, they should have a fee on all hazardous shipments in all modes.
I’m sure the railroads already pay property taxes to the communities they pass through. Those taxes are used to support public safety. In addition the railroads train and support those same first responders. They are more than willing to assist any of their neighbors if asked. Therefore any additional tax (fee) is just a money grab. Creating more bureaucracy is just a way to launder the loot so you can’t trace where that money really is going. Very little if any will ever get back to the fight responders who are the ones who need it. If this should pass, then the railroads should be exempt from or credited towards paying property taxes. The state is going to insure the communities are prepared to handle the risks and are collecting fees from the railroads to do so. Since that is already being done with property taxes, this would be double taxing the railroads. That would be unfair to say the least.