Republican candidate for Representative District 23, Dana James Traversie, has called on House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi to scrap thoughts of appealing the recent federal court ruling that found the tolling of trucks unconstitutional on the basis that it is discriminatory.
In a press release Traversie called the decision to appeal reached at a meeting between the Governor, Attorney General, Shekarchi and the Senate President “shocking” after it was reported that the state paid the legal firm of Adler Pollock & Sheehan PC to defend the state in the lawsuit brought by the American Truckers Association.
“An appeal is destined to fail and will only benefit outside legal counsel” Traversie said. “Why spend millions more of the people’s money on an appeal that will ultimately fail? What is the endgame? Mr. Speaker, you have an opportunity to lead and do what is right by the people and not what is politically convenient. Please listen to the people. Stop the appeal and tear down or repurpose the truck toll gantries.”
In an email to the Beacon, Shekarchi writes, ““The General Assembly is not a defendant in this suit. The executive branch and the Attorney General, along with their legal teams, have carefully analyzed the merits of pursuing an appeal in this extremely complex case. I agree with their determination that an appeal is worth pursuing.”
He went on to say, “"While Judge Smith decided against the truck tolling program, the First Circuit Court of Appeals may not agree, or may provide additional clarity going forward. Whatever the outcome, I again want to emphasize: As long as I am Speaker, tolls on cars or other passenger vehicles will never occur."
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