Question: Limitation on State Police Powers
(a) Describe the five factual situations wherein the commerce clause might be used to restrict a state or local governmental action. What analysis is used in each situation?
(b) A Maine statute imposed a tax on trucks. The tax required owners and operators of foreign-based (out-of-state) trucks using Maine highways to purchase either an annual highway use permit or a one-trip permit. Trucks based in-state were exempt. An out-of-state trucker challenged the constitutionality of the statute. Is this Maine statute constitutional? Why or why not?