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State senators unanimously voted to get rid of New York's ton-mile tax and raise truck registration fees by 50% to make up the lost revenue.

A bill approved by the Senate June 3 would eliminate the tax on Jan. 1, 2001.

The New York State Motor Truck Association is lobbying the Democrats in the General Assembly, who hold a majority, to go along with the Senate's bill. Republicans in the assembly have already pledged their support, according to William Joyce, the association's executive director.

He said the industry would save $80 million if the ton-mile tax was abolished.

"We have been very successful in showing that there has been a lot of evasion, that [the ton-mile tax] is difficult to comply even if you want to, and it just doesn't make sense," Joyce said. "There are more efficient ways to collect taxes. Our theory is that weight-distances are yesterday's taxes."