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Monthly Legislative Report
Transportation Funding: What Do You Think?

Funding for highway and bridge projects, as well as mass transit, is at the top of the legislative agenda this fall.

 

As you may remember, the General Assembly passed a law three years ago to boost transportation funding by tolling Interstate 80; however, the tolling proposal was rejected by the federal government earlier this year, leaving a nearly $500 million hole in the transportation budget. 

 

A number of proposals have been offered to help fill this funding gap, but no consensus among lawmakers has formed around any of these ideas. I would like to know what you think about these proposals.

 

Thank you for your time.

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Do you support or oppose increasing the state’s gas tax? Governor Rendell has said he would support an increase of 3.25 cents per gallon, bringing the total state tax on gasoline to 34.45 cents. This increase could generate approximately $130 million. *



Do you support or oppose a new 8 percent tax on oil company profits? The Rendell administration believes the legislation can be written to prevent the companies from passing the cost of the new tax onto consumers; however, many lawmakers and business leaders believe such language is unconstitutional and would be overturned by the courts. The tax could generate approximately $576 million. *



Do you support or oppose increasing a number more than 60 driving-related fees to generate about $434 million annually. Among the proposed fee increases are driver’s licenses, from $21 to $24, generating an estimated $9.4 million; annual vehicle registration, from $36 to $49, generating an estimated $101.8 million; and inspection stickers, from $2 to $5, generating an estimated $30.8 million. *



Do you support or oppose a proposal to merge the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to improve the efficiency of the state’s transportation management? *



Do you support or oppose the concept of public-private partnerships to finance transportation projects in the Commonwealth? In a public-private partnership, the Commonwealth would maintain ownership control of a bridge or highway, but an infusion of private sector capital would be used for projects such as adding highway express lanes in congested areas where user fees could be charged for use of those additional lanes. *



Do you use any of the following social networks on at least a weekly basis?



Do you have any additional comments about transportation funding or other state-related issues?