Earlier this week the Surface Transportation Board (STB) cut the cost of filing a formal complaint against unfair anti-competitive railroad industry practices. This comes after Sen. Franken testified last month before the STB about how anti-competitive practices in the rail industry hurt Minnesotan shippers. Sen. Franken is pleased that the STB took his testimony under consideration and decided to change their practices.

The Board's decision to lower the cost of filing a former complaint, from $20,000 to $350 (a 98% reduction), will allow for real competition in the railroad industry, so that producers aren't forced to over pay to ship their goods.

Currently, Minnesota farmers and manufacturers are being forced to over pay on shipping products because of lack of competition in the railroad industry. At the hearing, Sen. Franken told the STB that Minnesota farmers and manufacturers are hurting because of the lack of competition in the railroad industry, cutting the filing fee cut from $20,000 to just $350 will allow more producers to access the STB and have their complaints investigated. Sen. Franken said high fees were a factor in discouraging producers from bringing legitimate complaints to the STB's attention.

A transcript of Sen. Franken's testimony to the STB can be found here (pdf). And Video of Sen. Franken's testimony can be seen here.