“The diesel taxes and the user fee Mr. Trump is proposing also would be used to cover 10 percent of the cost of operating and maintaining locks and dams — an expense currently paid exclusively by taxpayers. While barge operators object, a taxpayers watchdog group believes the industry should pick up some of those costs.

“They’re the ones who should bear the greatest responsibility for building and maintaining them,” said Joshua Sewell, a senior policy analyst for Taxpayers for Common Sense.

The group estimates taxpayers foot 90 percent of the bill for building, operating and maintaining locks and dams.”

Read the full story by Len Boselovic on www.post-gazette.com.