If you can't toll one interstate, why not try to toll them all. That idea was brought forth Wednesday in the second in a series of hearings by the Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee on filling a $492 million hole in the transportation budget. That shortfall is due in large part to the federal government's rejection of a plan by Pennsylvania to toll Interstate 80.
However, Turnpike Commission CEO Joe Brimmeier told the committee that in a recent newsletter, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that allowing states to toll interstates might be necessary to provide the funding states need for highway construction and maintenance.
State Senator Richard Kasunic, Democrat from Fayette County and a member of the committee, says he agrees with Brimmeier....
"He pointed out that the Federal Highway Administration is talking about the need to replace and rebuild many of those interstates and the money just isn't there to do it right now, and nobody wants to vote for a tax increase. So, the other alternative would be to toll the interstate system throughout America."
Kasunic says if Pennsylvania would be allowed to toll the interstates and use those revenues to maintain those highways, then state transportation funds earmarked for the interstates could be shifted to "maintain local highways and bridges that are in desperate need of repair."
Kasunic believes Pennsylvania residents are opposed to higher gasoline taxes and increases in license and registration fees.
In addition to the immediate $492 million hole, a recent study indicated that Pennsylvania is about $3.5 billion short annually to fund needed repairs to bridges and roads.
Showing posts with label Interstate 80. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interstate 80. Show all posts
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Rendell: Hikes in Gas Tax & Registration Fees...OK
The Pennsylvania Senate Transportation Committee this week begins a series of hearings on the huge hole in funding for transportation. Governor Ed Rendell wants lawmakers to find new revenue sources for transportation infrastructure. Among the measures he’d accept: increases in the gas tax and vehicle registration fees, and a tax on oil companies.
He’s pushing for a tax on oil companies.
"Most of the oil companies, who sell 12 billion gallons of gasoline a year in Pennsylvania – most of the oil companies pay very little in state taxes. That would remedy this dramatically. That’s what I’m for. But would I sign anything else in the package? Yes I would."
Rendell is urging lawmakers to address the nearly $500 million funding gap. Rendell and legislative leaders counted on tolling of Interstate 80 but the federal Department of Transportation’s rejected that idea.
One of the options Rendell’s calling for is a 3.25 cent gas tax increase, which the governor says drivers “probably would not even notice.”
Senate Republican spokesman Erik Arneson says Rendell is “flat-out wrong.”
"People certainly would notice a gas tax increase. It’s something that would hit them in the pocketbook every time they fill up. And although three cents a gallon may not be much for one fill up, it certainly adds up over time and it certainly has a disproportionate impact on the people who can afford it the least."
Rendell says the gas tax isn’t his preferred funding source, but that he’d sign the bill if it reaches his desk.The governor is calling for a special session on transportation to re-convene August 23rd. But Arneson says the Senate isn’t returning to Harrisburg until mid-September.
He’s pushing for a tax on oil companies.
"Most of the oil companies, who sell 12 billion gallons of gasoline a year in Pennsylvania – most of the oil companies pay very little in state taxes. That would remedy this dramatically. That’s what I’m for. But would I sign anything else in the package? Yes I would."
Rendell is urging lawmakers to address the nearly $500 million funding gap. Rendell and legislative leaders counted on tolling of Interstate 80 but the federal Department of Transportation’s rejected that idea.
One of the options Rendell’s calling for is a 3.25 cent gas tax increase, which the governor says drivers “probably would not even notice.”
Senate Republican spokesman Erik Arneson says Rendell is “flat-out wrong.”
"People certainly would notice a gas tax increase. It’s something that would hit them in the pocketbook every time they fill up. And although three cents a gallon may not be much for one fill up, it certainly adds up over time and it certainly has a disproportionate impact on the people who can afford it the least."
Rendell says the gas tax isn’t his preferred funding source, but that he’d sign the bill if it reaches his desk.The governor is calling for a special session on transportation to re-convene August 23rd. But Arneson says the Senate isn’t returning to Harrisburg until mid-September.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Rendell: New Funding Sources Needed for Transportation
Governor Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania needs new revenue sources to overcome a shortfall in transportation funding.
The governor says the idea that raising revenue in an election year will hurt legislators’ chances for reelection is “overrated.” Rendell pointed to the fact that he was reelected after raising taxes during his first term.
Rendell says one way to replace income expected from tolling Interstate 80 is to raise vehicle licensing fees. He says these rates haven’t been raised since 2002 and if they are adjusted to the level of inflation, the fees would generate $320 million more each year.
He says that would replace about two-thirds of the anticipated revenue when the federal government rejected Pennsylvania's application to toll I-80.
The governor says the idea that raising revenue in an election year will hurt legislators’ chances for reelection is “overrated.” Rendell pointed to the fact that he was reelected after raising taxes during his first term.
Rendell says one way to replace income expected from tolling Interstate 80 is to raise vehicle licensing fees. He says these rates haven’t been raised since 2002 and if they are adjusted to the level of inflation, the fees would generate $320 million more each year.
He says that would replace about two-thirds of the anticipated revenue when the federal government rejected Pennsylvania's application to toll I-80.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
House Transportation Committee Sets Hearings
As the state legislature prepares for the upcoming special session on transportation, the House Transportation Committee is launching a series of seven hearings (see below) on PennDOT revenues and expenditures. Committee Chairman Joseph Markosek says the goal is to ask the question, “What are we going to do about this current funding crisis for transportation infrastructure?” The state is facing an estimated $3.5 billion a year shortfall in transportation funding. Markosek calls the gatherings, “tough love hearings.” Typically Transportation Committee hearing involve individuals and groups coming before the committee to talk about what projects they would like to see funded. Markosek says this round of hearings will focus on committee members telling their constituents what project will not be funded any time soon. PA Governor Ed Rendell called the special session after the federal government rejected plans to toll I-80 in Pennsylvania. That decision put a $450 million dollar hole in the Governor’s proposed budget. The goal of the special session is to not only find a way to keep this year’s budget in balance but to also find long term solutions to what some call the chronic problem of underfunding transportation in the state. Markosek says the committee will be pen to all solutions but he says usually people come to the committee with ways to pick “low hanging fruit.” He says proposals to up vehicle registration fees or legalize video poker will not make up the gap.
The sessions begin Thursday in Hershey and wrap up June 18th in Monroeville.
The schedule is as follows:
10 a.m. Thursday, May 27
Topic: Statewide perspective and issues affecting the South Central Region (PennDOT Districts 8 and 9).
Location: Derry Township Municipal Building's meeting room, 600 Clearwater Road, Hershey. The location of this hearing was moved from the Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg.
2 p.m. Tuesday, June 1
Topic: Issues affecting the North Central Region (PennDOT Districts 2 and 3).
Location: Lock Haven University, Price Performance Center, 20 Glenn Road, Lock Haven.
2 p.m. Thursday, June 3
Topic: Issues affecting the Mid East Region (PennDOT District 5).
Location: DeSales University Center’s Commonwealth Room, 2755 Station Ave, Center Valley.
10 a.m. Friday, June 4
Topic: Issues affecting the South East Region (PennDOT District 6).
Location: St. Joseph’s University, Mandeville Hall, Teletorium, Corner of 54th Street and City Avenue, Philadelphia.
2 p.m. Thursday, June 10
Topic: Issues affecting the North East Region (PennDOT District 4).
Location: Marywood University, Nazareth Hall, The Latour Room, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. The date of this hearing was moved from June 2.
2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17
Topic: Issues affecting the North West Region (PennDOT Districts 1 and 10).
Location: Clarion University, Hart Chapel Auditorium, 850 Wood St., Clarion. The starting time was moved back from 2 p.m.
11 a.m. Friday, June 18
Topic: Issues affecting the South West Region (PennDOT Districts 11 and 12).
Location: Gateway High School, 3000 Gateway Campus Boulevard, Monroeville.
The sessions begin Thursday in Hershey and wrap up June 18th in Monroeville.
The schedule is as follows:
10 a.m. Thursday, May 27
Topic: Statewide perspective and issues affecting the South Central Region (PennDOT Districts 8 and 9).
Location: Derry Township Municipal Building's meeting room, 600 Clearwater Road, Hershey. The location of this hearing was moved from the Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg.
2 p.m. Tuesday, June 1
Topic: Issues affecting the North Central Region (PennDOT Districts 2 and 3).
Location: Lock Haven University, Price Performance Center, 20 Glenn Road, Lock Haven.
2 p.m. Thursday, June 3
Topic: Issues affecting the Mid East Region (PennDOT District 5).
Location: DeSales University Center’s Commonwealth Room, 2755 Station Ave, Center Valley.
10 a.m. Friday, June 4
Topic: Issues affecting the South East Region (PennDOT District 6).
Location: St. Joseph’s University, Mandeville Hall, Teletorium, Corner of 54th Street and City Avenue, Philadelphia.
2 p.m. Thursday, June 10
Topic: Issues affecting the North East Region (PennDOT District 4).
Location: Marywood University, Nazareth Hall, The Latour Room, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. The date of this hearing was moved from June 2.
2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17
Topic: Issues affecting the North West Region (PennDOT Districts 1 and 10).
Location: Clarion University, Hart Chapel Auditorium, 850 Wood St., Clarion. The starting time was moved back from 2 p.m.
11 a.m. Friday, June 18
Topic: Issues affecting the South West Region (PennDOT Districts 11 and 12).
Location: Gateway High School, 3000 Gateway Campus Boulevard, Monroeville.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Rohrer: Cut Costs Elsewhere to Fund Transportation
Republican gubernatorial candidate Sam Rohrer says Pennsylvania is facing a 450-million dollar transportation funding gap due to "reprehensible financial irresponsibility."
For the past few years, the Turnpike has borrowed against anticipated I-80 tolling revenue.
Tolling dollars are also built into next year's transportation budget.
Rohrer, a Berks County representative, says banking on the proposal before it was approved was awful planning.
He says it's indicative of Governor Rendell's approach to budgeting, noting anticipated federal dollars in next year's spending plan.
"He's recommending a billion dollars more, for 29 billion, but banking on 800 million dollars coming from the federal government, from a program that has not yet been debated by Congress, that won't even be covered until the fall. But he says you can count on it, because it will be here."
Rendell has called for a special legislative session to find new transportation revenue. Rohrer says lawmakers need to reassess the state's transportation needs and cut spending from other line items before they consider raising taxes.
He says getting rid of prevailing wage mandates on transportation projects is one way to save money.
For the past few years, the Turnpike has borrowed against anticipated I-80 tolling revenue.
Tolling dollars are also built into next year's transportation budget.
Rohrer, a Berks County representative, says banking on the proposal before it was approved was awful planning.
He says it's indicative of Governor Rendell's approach to budgeting, noting anticipated federal dollars in next year's spending plan.
"He's recommending a billion dollars more, for 29 billion, but banking on 800 million dollars coming from the federal government, from a program that has not yet been debated by Congress, that won't even be covered until the fall. But he says you can count on it, because it will be here."
Rendell has called for a special legislative session to find new transportation revenue. Rohrer says lawmakers need to reassess the state's transportation needs and cut spending from other line items before they consider raising taxes.
He says getting rid of prevailing wage mandates on transportation projects is one way to save money.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Special Trans. Session: Leases, Tolls, Taxes?
Governor Ed Rendell will call a special legislative session in the coming months to address transportation funding for Pennsylvania.
Both the governor and House Republicans say they’ll consider any and all suggestions to plug the 450-million dollar budget gap caused by the federal rejection of a plan to toll I-80 tolling. Rendell says people are wrong to celebrate the Federal Highway Administration’s rejection of Pennsylvania’s plan to toll the interstate, and use revenue to fund transportation projects across the commonwealth.
Rendell says government needs to invest in infrastructure – and that means raising revenue.
"People understand if they buy a 2,000 dollar used car off a used car lot, they’re likely to get a vehicle that doesn’t work nearly as well as buying a 20-thousand dollar new car. And yet in government they want the best schools and the best roads and the best transit systems, etc. But they seem to not want to pay for it, and you get what you pay for in this world."
House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says the GOP will push for public-private partnerships as one way of raising money and saving tax dollars.
He says that concept goes beyond leasing out roadways.
"Maintenance. It could be, in a sense leasing facilities, or allowing facilities to be managed. There’s a number of different alternatives. In Arizona state parks are managed by a private company."
Other ideas include a new gas tax, tolling other roadways, or taxing oil companies.
Miskin says House Republicans are welcoming the special session. He says transportation funding has been ignored for too many years.
Rendell says if lawmakers don’t find new funding sources, highways won’t be repaired, and mass transit service in cities will be scaled back.
Both the governor and House Republicans say they’ll consider any and all suggestions to plug the 450-million dollar budget gap caused by the federal rejection of a plan to toll I-80 tolling. Rendell says people are wrong to celebrate the Federal Highway Administration’s rejection of Pennsylvania’s plan to toll the interstate, and use revenue to fund transportation projects across the commonwealth.
Rendell says government needs to invest in infrastructure – and that means raising revenue.
"People understand if they buy a 2,000 dollar used car off a used car lot, they’re likely to get a vehicle that doesn’t work nearly as well as buying a 20-thousand dollar new car. And yet in government they want the best schools and the best roads and the best transit systems, etc. But they seem to not want to pay for it, and you get what you pay for in this world."
House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says the GOP will push for public-private partnerships as one way of raising money and saving tax dollars.
He says that concept goes beyond leasing out roadways.
"Maintenance. It could be, in a sense leasing facilities, or allowing facilities to be managed. There’s a number of different alternatives. In Arizona state parks are managed by a private company."
Other ideas include a new gas tax, tolling other roadways, or taxing oil companies.
Miskin says House Republicans are welcoming the special session. He says transportation funding has been ignored for too many years.
Rendell says if lawmakers don’t find new funding sources, highways won’t be repaired, and mass transit service in cities will be scaled back.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
PA State Rep. says Budget Hole Rendell’s Fault
Yesterday the Federal Department of Transportation rejected Pennsylvanian’s attempt to place tolls on Interstate 80 and Governor Ed Rendell plans to call a special session of the Legislature aimed at plugging a $472 million hole in the budget. State Representative Jim Christiana of Beaver County says it was an “irresponsible budget” that should not have been passed in the first place. He says the governor has shown in the past that he is willing to “hold anything hostage” to get his way. The Republican says, “The governor did it with the schools [during the overtime budget debate] last year.” Christiana says the governor should have known that the application was going to be rejected and should not have included it with the budget he submitted to the legislature. A similar application was rejected last year. He says the governor, “For his part is playing games” by calling the special session. Rendell has floated several methods to cover the nearly half billion-dollar hole. Among them is an increase in the gas tax and a tax on the gross profits of oil companies earned in Pennsylvania. Christiana says there is money elsewhere in the budget that could be shifted to maintaining roads and bridges. He says, “It is all just an issue of setting priorities.”
No Tolls for I-80
When the U.S. Department of Transportation made its decision against applying tolls on I-80, many of its users breathed a sigh of relief.
“We think it’s in the best interests of everyone that an existing interstate, which is being paid for, is not tolled,” says Jim Runk, President of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.
Governor Ed Rendell supported the tolls, since it would have made $922 million available by the beginning of the fiscal year to use toward bridge and road repairs. But Runk says the fairest way fund highway repairs and maintenance would be to raise the fuel tax.
“About 99 percent of the money that’s collected goes into the building or maintenance of highways, as opposed to about 20 to 25 percent if it was tolled it would go towards administration costs,” he says.
However, Rendell argues that it may be difficult to consider since some legislators are up for re-election.
“We think it’s in the best interests of everyone that an existing interstate, which is being paid for, is not tolled,” says Jim Runk, President of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association.
Governor Ed Rendell supported the tolls, since it would have made $922 million available by the beginning of the fiscal year to use toward bridge and road repairs. But Runk says the fairest way fund highway repairs and maintenance would be to raise the fuel tax.
“About 99 percent of the money that’s collected goes into the building or maintenance of highways, as opposed to about 20 to 25 percent if it was tolled it would go towards administration costs,” he says.
However, Rendell argues that it may be difficult to consider since some legislators are up for re-election.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
PAT Might Have to Cut Service Sharply
The CEO of the Port Authority of Allegheny County says the agency is increasingly concerned about the status of the state's Act 44 transportation law, which provides additional operation funding to mass transit, now that the revenue from tolling I-80 will not be realized. The federal government today rejected Pennsylvania's application to toll the interstate. As a result, Port Authority would receive roughly $25 million less in state funding for the upcoming 2010-11 fiscal year.
CEO Steve Bland says the failure to meet the funding commitments under Act 44 "would force Port Authority to consider sharp service cuts that could isolate neighborhoods and severely compromise regional mobility in the Pittsburgh region. We are hopeful the state acts swiftly to address this funding shortfall so that such drastic measures are not necessary."
Governor Rendell has said he will call a special legislative session to deal with transportation funding.
Bland says decisions about how to offset any projected budget gap will be made in the coming months as the board discusses financial issues. The Authority must adopt operating and capital budgets by June 30.
CEO Steve Bland says the failure to meet the funding commitments under Act 44 "would force Port Authority to consider sharp service cuts that could isolate neighborhoods and severely compromise regional mobility in the Pittsburgh region. We are hopeful the state acts swiftly to address this funding shortfall so that such drastic measures are not necessary."
Governor Rendell has said he will call a special legislative session to deal with transportation funding.
Bland says decisions about how to offset any projected budget gap will be made in the coming months as the board discusses financial issues. The Authority must adopt operating and capital budgets by June 30.
Rendell: Big Loser Will Be People Who Use I-80
About a week after expressing optimism that Pennsylvania's proposal to toll Interstate 80 would be approved by the federal government, Governor Ed Rendell confirmed this afternoon that the U.S. Transportation Department has rejected the application.
Rendell said planned improvements for I-80 will not happen ..."the big loser will be the people who use I-80."
The governor projects that Allegheny County will lose $44 million a year and the Port Authority will have to cut service by 15%. Rendell was asked if there is a way to appeal or reapply....."No, the decision is what it is."
The governor said he would call a special legislative session to deal with this year's $450 million hole in the transportation budget.
Rendell said planned improvements for I-80 will not happen ..."the big loser will be the people who use I-80."
The governor projects that Allegheny County will lose $44 million a year and the Port Authority will have to cut service by 15%. Rendell was asked if there is a way to appeal or reapply....."No, the decision is what it is."
The governor said he would call a special legislative session to deal with this year's $450 million hole in the transportation budget.
I-80 Tolling Rejected
There's now a $450 million dollar hole in Pennsylvania's highway and mass transit budget. That's because the federal government has rejected the state's application to toll Interstate 80.
Just last week Governor Ed Rendell said he met with U.S. Transportation Department officials and it went well...
"We had a great meeting with Secretary LaHood. Our legal team made a terrific presentation. The US DOT’s legal team was there, and they agreed it was a credible presentation by our team."
At the time, Rendell said he was optimistic.
Democratic State Representative Joe Markosek of Monroeville is the chair of the State House Transportation Committee. Markosek told DUQ that he was not surprised but "certainly disappointed" because he had not felt good about what he was hearing coming out of Washington the last few months.
Since the highway is an interstate, Pennsylvania needed federal approval to toll it.
Markosek says those who are disappointed and "those who are perhaps euphoric" by the rejection need to work hand in hand to develop a sustainable funding mechanism for Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure system, and "most of the options are not pain-free."
He says that rural lawmakers who objected to the tolling claiming that mass transit is just a local, urban concern are wrong because 60% of the state's operating funds come from the 5 Philadelphia area counties and Allegheny County. Markosek says mass transit is important to those 6 counties' economies which in turn benefit rural areas.
Markosek says that lawmakers and citizens are always looking to get someone else to pay but these items (roads, bridges, mass transit) which are expensive and they are not free.
Markosek predicted that mass transit would be an early victim of this decision.."the Port Authority of Allegheny County had major (budget) concerns even with funding from tolling I-80" and this is going to be detrimental to the economy of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Just last week Governor Ed Rendell said he met with U.S. Transportation Department officials and it went well...
"We had a great meeting with Secretary LaHood. Our legal team made a terrific presentation. The US DOT’s legal team was there, and they agreed it was a credible presentation by our team."
At the time, Rendell said he was optimistic.
Democratic State Representative Joe Markosek of Monroeville is the chair of the State House Transportation Committee. Markosek told DUQ that he was not surprised but "certainly disappointed" because he had not felt good about what he was hearing coming out of Washington the last few months.
Since the highway is an interstate, Pennsylvania needed federal approval to toll it.
Markosek says those who are disappointed and "those who are perhaps euphoric" by the rejection need to work hand in hand to develop a sustainable funding mechanism for Pennsylvania's transportation infrastructure system, and "most of the options are not pain-free."
He says that rural lawmakers who objected to the tolling claiming that mass transit is just a local, urban concern are wrong because 60% of the state's operating funds come from the 5 Philadelphia area counties and Allegheny County. Markosek says mass transit is important to those 6 counties' economies which in turn benefit rural areas.
Markosek says that lawmakers and citizens are always looking to get someone else to pay but these items (roads, bridges, mass transit) which are expensive and they are not free.
Markosek predicted that mass transit would be an early victim of this decision.."the Port Authority of Allegheny County had major (budget) concerns even with funding from tolling I-80" and this is going to be detrimental to the economy of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I-80 Tolling Answer in April?
Governor Ed Rendell says he expects to “hear something” from the federal Department of Transportation about Pennsylvania’s I-80 tolling plan within the next two weeks.
"Some indication from the secretary. It may be that they need more information, it may be, ‘yes go ahead.’ It may be no. it could be any of those things. It could be they need information, and they want us to proceed on the environmental aspects of this. It could be any of those things."
Rendell and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently discussed the tolling application during a Washington, DC meeting. Rendell says the state's legal team made "a terrific presentation."
If LaHood signs off on the plan, tolling would begin in November 2011.
Revenue would supplement transportation projects across the state.
Several Pennsylvania Congressmen had predicted a decision over the winter, but Rendell says he knew LaHood wouldn’t issue a ruling until the two of them held a face-to-face meeting on the topic.
Opponents, including members of Congress whose districts include the I-80 corridor, say tolling could hurt residents and businesses along and near the interstate.
"Some indication from the secretary. It may be that they need more information, it may be, ‘yes go ahead.’ It may be no. it could be any of those things. It could be they need information, and they want us to proceed on the environmental aspects of this. It could be any of those things."
Rendell and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently discussed the tolling application during a Washington, DC meeting. Rendell says the state's legal team made "a terrific presentation."
If LaHood signs off on the plan, tolling would begin in November 2011.
Revenue would supplement transportation projects across the state.
Several Pennsylvania Congressmen had predicted a decision over the winter, but Rendell says he knew LaHood wouldn’t issue a ruling until the two of them held a face-to-face meeting on the topic.
Opponents, including members of Congress whose districts include the I-80 corridor, say tolling could hurt residents and businesses along and near the interstate.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Gubernatorial Candidates on I-80 Tolling
Several of the candidates running for governor say they wouldn’t know what to do, if the federal government denies Pennsylvania’s application to toll Interstate 80.
The Federal Highway Administration is expected to rule whether or not Pennsylvania will be permitted to implement tolls on I-80 in the coming weeks.
Transportation budgeting is already banking on 450 million dollars from the initiative, so the state would have to suddenly fill a nearly half-billion dollar gap if the tolling application is rejected again.
When reporters recently asked the gubernatorial candidates how they’d plug that hole, many didn’t have an answer.
Dan Onorato says he doesn’t have a “plan B” to suggest, but says he’s confident the proposal will be approved this time.
"Well you have a different president. The last time it was rejected you had a different president. And you’ve got an administration Harrisburg right now – and I know Governor Rendell and even some of the legislative leaders that passed Act 44 – they know what the consequences are if it’s not approved. And they’re down there lobbying, they were down there last week, a group of them, making their case."
Jack Wagner, who also didn't have an alternative, says using I-80 tolling revenue to fund transportation projects around the state is wrong.
"It has always been my understanding of the federal law that if you toll a road the money needs to go right back into the road, or intersecting roads."
Democrat Joe Hoeffel says he’d immediately look at increasing the gas tax to fill the 450-million dollar gap. Democrat Anthony Williams would consider issuing new bonds in order to scrape together the needed money.
Republican Tom Corbett says it was wrong to assume the federal government would rubber stamp the tolling application.
"This governor and this legislature in the past made a huge mistake by saying, well, we’re going to have this money because we’re going to have tolling. Nobody indicated from Washington, in my mind, that they ever you’re going to have tolling. That you could go and make a bet. That was like putting a dollar down on the lottery and saying, we’re going to win that. And since we’re going to win that, now we’re going to make our budget on that. suggests shifting money from the General Assembly’s spending account and other government line items."
Republican Sam Rohrer couldn’t offer up alternative funding solutions but said he's against aspects of Act 44, which put the tolling plan in motion.
The Federal Highway Administration is expected to rule whether or not Pennsylvania will be permitted to implement tolls on I-80 in the coming weeks.
Transportation budgeting is already banking on 450 million dollars from the initiative, so the state would have to suddenly fill a nearly half-billion dollar gap if the tolling application is rejected again.
When reporters recently asked the gubernatorial candidates how they’d plug that hole, many didn’t have an answer.
Dan Onorato says he doesn’t have a “plan B” to suggest, but says he’s confident the proposal will be approved this time.
"Well you have a different president. The last time it was rejected you had a different president. And you’ve got an administration Harrisburg right now – and I know Governor Rendell and even some of the legislative leaders that passed Act 44 – they know what the consequences are if it’s not approved. And they’re down there lobbying, they were down there last week, a group of them, making their case."
Jack Wagner, who also didn't have an alternative, says using I-80 tolling revenue to fund transportation projects around the state is wrong.
"It has always been my understanding of the federal law that if you toll a road the money needs to go right back into the road, or intersecting roads."
Democrat Joe Hoeffel says he’d immediately look at increasing the gas tax to fill the 450-million dollar gap. Democrat Anthony Williams would consider issuing new bonds in order to scrape together the needed money.
Republican Tom Corbett says it was wrong to assume the federal government would rubber stamp the tolling application.
"This governor and this legislature in the past made a huge mistake by saying, well, we’re going to have this money because we’re going to have tolling. Nobody indicated from Washington, in my mind, that they ever you’re going to have tolling. That you could go and make a bet. That was like putting a dollar down on the lottery and saying, we’re going to win that. And since we’re going to win that, now we’re going to make our budget on that. suggests shifting money from the General Assembly’s spending account and other government line items."
Republican Sam Rohrer couldn’t offer up alternative funding solutions but said he's against aspects of Act 44, which put the tolling plan in motion.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I-80 Tolling Decision Could Come Soon
A northern Pennsylvania Congressman says he expects the U.S. Department of Transportation to make a decision on I-80 tolling any day now.
Republican Glenn Thompson and other Pennsylvania lawmakers sat down with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood earlier this week in Washington, and Thompson says he got the impression the federal government will decide whether to accept or reject Pennsylvania’s tolling application in the coming days.
"The Secretary very specifically said they could be making the decision soon. I’m not sure what soon means, but my inclination is this is a decision that will be made in an imminent fashion. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear something as soon as the end of this week."
Thompson says he told LaHood his concerns about the tolling initiative.
"We talked about the negative economic impact, not just along the I-80 corridor, but frankly for Pennsylvania. Where reroutes commerce around Pennsylvania – just would add insult to injury with our economy around the state."
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission resubmitted its application about three months ago. Spokesman Carl DeFebo says tolling is scheduled to begin in November 2011, but the timeframe could be sped up after a final decision is made.
Republican Glenn Thompson and other Pennsylvania lawmakers sat down with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood earlier this week in Washington, and Thompson says he got the impression the federal government will decide whether to accept or reject Pennsylvania’s tolling application in the coming days.
"The Secretary very specifically said they could be making the decision soon. I’m not sure what soon means, but my inclination is this is a decision that will be made in an imminent fashion. It wouldn’t surprise me to hear something as soon as the end of this week."
Thompson says he told LaHood his concerns about the tolling initiative.
"We talked about the negative economic impact, not just along the I-80 corridor, but frankly for Pennsylvania. Where reroutes commerce around Pennsylvania – just would add insult to injury with our economy around the state."
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission resubmitted its application about three months ago. Spokesman Carl DeFebo says tolling is scheduled to begin in November 2011, but the timeframe could be sped up after a final decision is made.
Friday, October 30, 2009
New I-80 Tolling Proposal
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has submitted what it hopes is the final batch of materials to support its application with the Federal Highway Administration to convert Interstate 80 to a toll road.
Act 44, which was signed into law in July 2007, directed PennDOT to lease Interstate 80 to the Turnpike Commission giving the commission oversight of that interstate as a toll road. The Commission then sought approval of tolling I-80 from the Highway Administration which rejected the application in September 2008 due to concerns over how the lease payments compared with other private public partnerships involving major highways.
Commission spokesman Carl DeFebo says they commissioned an independent analysis that reviewed other roadway leases in the U.S. and Canada over the last 10 years and the study concluded that the lease payments that the Turnpike Commission is making to PennDOT are "within the market ranges" compared to recent North American highway leases.
The commission has made quarterly payments to PennDOT over the past two years totalling $2 billion dollars. This comes from the toll increase on the turnpike.
DeFebo says if they get approval to toll I-80, those payments would grow to an average of $1.67 billion annually.
DeFebo says under the proposal $250 million a year for 10 years would be invested in I-80 improvements, four time the current amount of $60 million spent on the interstate annually. DeFebo says kind of spending would help the economy along the interstate corridor.
The spokesman says they've taken steps to address the impact of tolls on residents along the interstate who "use it like a Main Street" coming and going to work and shop. He says if they sign up for EZ Pass, they could drive through the first tolling site for no charge...."so in essence you could drive 50 miles and even more without paying a toll."
DeFebo says they don't expect an answer on their proposal for several months.
Act 44, which was signed into law in July 2007, directed PennDOT to lease Interstate 80 to the Turnpike Commission giving the commission oversight of that interstate as a toll road. The Commission then sought approval of tolling I-80 from the Highway Administration which rejected the application in September 2008 due to concerns over how the lease payments compared with other private public partnerships involving major highways.
Commission spokesman Carl DeFebo says they commissioned an independent analysis that reviewed other roadway leases in the U.S. and Canada over the last 10 years and the study concluded that the lease payments that the Turnpike Commission is making to PennDOT are "within the market ranges" compared to recent North American highway leases.
The commission has made quarterly payments to PennDOT over the past two years totalling $2 billion dollars. This comes from the toll increase on the turnpike.
DeFebo says if they get approval to toll I-80, those payments would grow to an average of $1.67 billion annually.
DeFebo says under the proposal $250 million a year for 10 years would be invested in I-80 improvements, four time the current amount of $60 million spent on the interstate annually. DeFebo says kind of spending would help the economy along the interstate corridor.
The spokesman says they've taken steps to address the impact of tolls on residents along the interstate who "use it like a Main Street" coming and going to work and shop. He says if they sign up for EZ Pass, they could drive through the first tolling site for no charge...."so in essence you could drive 50 miles and even more without paying a toll."
DeFebo says they don't expect an answer on their proposal for several months.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Study Finds Problems in I-80 Toll Proposal
A study of the proposed tolling of the Pennsylvania portion of Interstate 80 finds such a move will increase accidents, raise consumer prices and place an unfair burden on truck drivers. Grove City College Associate Professor of Economics Dr. Tracy Miller was asked to do the study by a group of chambers of commerce.
Miller says tolling I-80 would negatively impact four groups. First, he says trucks and cars already pay their fair share through gas taxes. He says trucks, especially, pay enough because the state requires them to also pay for each mile they drive in Pennsylvania. Second, he says a large number of businesses rely on I-80 to ship and travel, without having to worry about tolls. Adding tolls would ultimately result in businesses increasing prices, lowering wages, and possibly laying-off workers. He says businesses, workers, and consumers would be negatively affected. Third, he says crashes in the state would increase because people would find alternative routes that are not major highways, which are where most accidents take place. And fourth, he says the toll rates will not be enough to shore up the state’s sagging transportation budget.
Miller says there are many alternatives to this problem, but the most obvious one would be to raise the gas tax by a few cents. He says increasing it by ten cents per gallon would raise about the same amount of money as reasonable toll revenue would raise.
The PA Department of Transportation says it will be submitting additional information to support its application to toll I-80. Its first application was rejected by the federal Department of Transportation because it was deemed to be incomplete.
Miller says tolling I-80 would negatively impact four groups. First, he says trucks and cars already pay their fair share through gas taxes. He says trucks, especially, pay enough because the state requires them to also pay for each mile they drive in Pennsylvania. Second, he says a large number of businesses rely on I-80 to ship and travel, without having to worry about tolls. Adding tolls would ultimately result in businesses increasing prices, lowering wages, and possibly laying-off workers. He says businesses, workers, and consumers would be negatively affected. Third, he says crashes in the state would increase because people would find alternative routes that are not major highways, which are where most accidents take place. And fourth, he says the toll rates will not be enough to shore up the state’s sagging transportation budget.
Miller says there are many alternatives to this problem, but the most obvious one would be to raise the gas tax by a few cents. He says increasing it by ten cents per gallon would raise about the same amount of money as reasonable toll revenue would raise.
The PA Department of Transportation says it will be submitting additional information to support its application to toll I-80. Its first application was rejected by the federal Department of Transportation because it was deemed to be incomplete.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tolling I-80 Fight Might be Back
Despite being turned down the first time, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plans to reapply for approval to toll Interstate 80. Last September, the Federal Highway Administration denied a request to convert I-80 into a toll road, noting proceeds could not be used to fund improvements on other highways as had been proposed by the governor. Officials from the Turnpike Commission and PennDOT recently met with their federal counterparts to talk about a new plan. Commission spokesman Bill Capone says one of the main issues discussed in that session was the fair market value of I-80. He says, “They wanted to see more supportive information in terms of the way those rental payments...how they were arrived at in terms of is it the appropriate amount of rent for leasing I-80 from PennDOT." Capone says the commission is working to satisfy that and other concerns, and plans to resubmit its tolling application – perhaps within months. Opponents of tolling I-80 say it would hurt local economies and put a strain on other roads. They insist there are better options for raising cash for construction projects.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
GOP Lawmakers to Fight New Bid to Toll I-80
Pennsylvania House Republicans along the Interstate 80 corridor say they will fight the Rendell Administration's renewed effort to toll I-80. PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler, who was also recently named as chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, told a House Democratic Policy Committee that PennDOT and the commission plan to submit a revised application for the toll proposal to the federal government later this year. State Representative Scott Hutchinson of Venango County says the I-80 Republicans are unified against this plan which he says would devastate rural northwestern Pennsylvania and transfer money to urban areas...."So we are renewing our fight to stop the tolling plan on Interstate 80, including chopping the Turnpike Commission down to size and maybe eliminating it altogether. I think they have a poor track record, a patronage history and a history of corruption we should end."
Hutchinson says tolling the interstate would hinder the state's economic recovery.
Hutchinson says tolling the interstate would hinder the state's economic recovery.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
I-80 Could Have Cashless Toll System
The Turnpike Commission wishes to use an all electronic system for I-80 instead of imitating the Turnpike's ticket and cash system. Gentries will be placed in nine locations through the state; those locations are to be selected this fall.
Project Manager Barry Schoch says the cashless system will be the future of toll collection. He says short-distance drivers are encouraged to use an E-Z Pass Incentive program, and long-distance travelers will be targeted. The incentive program will be offered to drivers who wish to waive a tolling fee. Schoch says E-Z Pass is the most inexpensive way to travel on I-80, because most drivers only use the route for a short distance. He estimates that 70 percent of local E-Z Pass users will never be tolled.
The Federal Government must approve for the Commission to toll I-80.
Project Manager Barry Schoch says the cashless system will be the future of toll collection. He says short-distance drivers are encouraged to use an E-Z Pass Incentive program, and long-distance travelers will be targeted. The incentive program will be offered to drivers who wish to waive a tolling fee. Schoch says E-Z Pass is the most inexpensive way to travel on I-80, because most drivers only use the route for a short distance. He estimates that 70 percent of local E-Z Pass users will never be tolled.
The Federal Government must approve for the Commission to toll I-80.
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