Oklahoma seeks to raise diesel tax

Despite the increased fuel prices due to civil unrest in Libya, some state governments are exploring options in raising the diesel tax.

An Oklahoma Senate committee recently convened to talk about raising the diesel tax by 5 cents, which was sponsored by the House speaker, the Associated Press reports.

Officials told the news provider that the bill is at the top of the agenda for the Transportation Committee. The proposal has the backing of the Arkansas Trucking Association and other business groups, but some fear that the measure will have trouble passing a Republic-dominated committee.

The bill was recently bounced around in the House and Senate, where it landed back in the Transportation Committee with the amendment that allows only one public vote on the tax.

Companies may want to enroll their employees in online truck driving regulation training courses to educate them on how to conserve fuel and to stay up to date on industry news that affects them.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, diesel currently costs $3.90 per gallon, which is an increase of nearly 98 cents from last year's totals.

By Mark Priest

Oklahoma seeks to raise diesel tax

Thursday, March 24th, 2011