Fonseca’s Response on Road Tax Bill Ignores Taxi Exemption Uproar, Omits Annual Fee Proposal

In response to recent Consortium article on Bill No. 36-0023, Senator Ray Fonseca has issued a press release claiming that media coverage misrepresented his proposed highway user tax legislation. While he disputes certain aspects, his statement fails to address key provisions of the bill, particularly the exemption of taxi operators from the tax increase, despite their heavy use of the territory’s roads. Fonseca’s response asserts that the tax increase would only apply to new vehicles brought into the territory, rather than all vehicle owners paying an annual fee. However, this does not acknowledge the ongoing legislative discussions surrounding potential amendments to the bill. During the March 18 legislative hearing, Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel proposed making the tax an annual payment due at registration, a recommendation that Fonseca did not challenge. Gabriel also stated that a portion of the fees, particularly those from heavier vehicles, should be directed to the D...