i-80 in pa remains free

[Jack_Berry]

Tolls for I-80 rejected -- again | Philadelphia Inquirer | 04/06/2010

Tolls for I-80 rejected -- again

By Paul Nussbaum
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
For the third time, federal highway officials have rejected Pennsylvania's application to place tolls on Interstate 80, according to sources in Washington.That would mean the state won't get about $450 million a year it was counting on for roads, bridges and mass transit projects around the state. In Philadelphia, that would mean about $120 million less for SEPTA projects.
Gov. Rendell has scheduled a press conference at 4 p.m. today to discuss the rejection of the tolling plan and what the state can do to make up the lost funding.
State legislators had said there was no "Plan B" to the proposal to toll I-80. But other possible sources of money could include higher gas taxes, motor vehicle registration fees, real estate transfer taxes.
The rejection of the tolling plan was apparently based, as it was in the past, on federal rules that require that tolls on an interstate be dedicated to improvements on that highway. Instead, Pennsylvania's plan called for the income from the tolls to be spread around the state.

 

[layoutshooter]

A small victory for sanity!! Now, all we need to do is REQUIRE that 100% of all fuel tax money go on the ROADS and no where else.

 

[xiggi]

You notice one of their options when it comes to lost revenue never seems to be SPEND LESS, it's always TAX MORE.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

You notice one of their options when it comes to lost revenue never seems to be SPEND LESS, it's always TAX MORE.

Now thats the truth right there....

Funny how they called it lost money when they weren't even of possession of it? Uhh??

 

[layoutshooter]

Now thats the truth right there....

Funny how they called it lost money when they weren't even of possession of it? Uhh??

Governments tend to think that they are OWED. They believe that they are entitled to tax as they see fit and can use their money as they choose to use it.

 

[highway star]

Now thats the truth right there....

Funny how they called it lost money when they weren't even of possession of it? Uhh??

LOL... Those are the same folks that call it a tax cut if they raise them a little less than originally planned.

 

[cheri1122]

The same proposal has been rejected not once, but twice, for the same reason. Without altering the proposal, state officials submit it again, have no 'plan B' in case of refusal, and then THEY BORROWED MONEY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TOLLS!!!
Which they plan to repay by raising tolls on the existing turnpike.
And these people get paid how much ?

 

[layoutshooter]

The same proposal has been rejected not once, but twice, for the same reason. Without altering the proposal, state officials submit it again, have no 'plan B' in case of refusal, and then THEY BORROWED MONEY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE TOLLS!!!
Which they plan to repay by raising tolls on the existing turnpike.
And these people get paid how much ?

Whatever they are paid it is FAR too much!! Nothing like double or triple taxation.

 

[greg334]

I may be mistaken but it takes $75 to go across the turnpike in a T/T. It makes no sense why we need to pay for things three times.

 

[cheri1122]

I still think we should be rebated for all the lane miles we're prohibited from using [but pay for anyhow].

 

[layoutshooter]

I still think we should be rebated for all the lane miles we're prohibited from using [but pay for anyhow].

We should be rebated for every nickle of local, state and federal fuel tax dollar that is not used on the roads.

 

[usafk9]

I continue to be outraged over the NYS Thruway tolls.

These tolls were in place to repay bonds issued to construct the Thruway, and were, in fact, retired in 1997. Matter of fact, Spitzer and Paterson campaigned on eliminating the tolls.

Talk about back-door taxation without representation.

When I used to work in the joint, I watched some very skilled convicts filing lawsuits just for fun and hobby. They were known as legal beagles. At the time, they disgusted me. However, if I didn't have so many irons in the fire, I might think of taking up a suit against NY State just on principle.

Glad to see the PA plan shot down. Sorry, Fast Eddie.

 

[jelliott]

Nice to see a small victory for our industry now and then!