CVSA SEEKS FUNDS FOR SOUTHERN BORDER TRUCK INSPECTORS

CVSA SEEKS FUNDS FOR SOUTHERN BORDER TRUCK INSPECTORS    The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has asked U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees to provide the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration with funds to hire additional roadside inspectors for the U.S./Mexico border.
   The alliance, whose members comprise North American enforcement agencies and truck and bus industry representatives, is seeking an additional $18 million for the safety administration's fiscal 2002 budget, rather than relying on the Revenue Aligned Budget Authority.
   CVSA is concerned because RABA's funding is derived year to year only from fuel tax revenues that exceed annual projections. The organization pointed out in a letter that southern states are reluctant to hire and train truck and bus inspectors with federal funds that have no certainty beyond one year.
   FMCSA's additional inspectors come from the agency's own operational budget, which has a far greater degree of being funded than if it were from RABA money, CVSA said.
   CVSA's concerns are fueled by the Bush Administration's efforts to open the southern border to Mexican trucks.