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The Maine Legislature June 5 approved a hike in the truck registration fee and a 3-cent increase in the state tax on motor fuels.

The diesel tax will go to 23 cents a gallon on Aug 1.

The $2 increase in vehicle registration fees takes effect Oct 1.

Dale Hanington, the president of the Maine Motor Transportation Association, said he estimated the tax boost would cost $600 per tractor annually.

"Obviously, it's going to have to be built into rates somehow or we'll have some more trucking companies going out of business," said Hanington.

The funding package, which Gov. Angus King is expected to sign, is intended raise $50 million to improve the state's roads and bridges.

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