For Immediate Release
September 15, 2008
Contact: Todd Nyquist
717-787-7084
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Op-ed: Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati

Last week came the welcome news that the Federal Highway Administration rejected the Pennsylvania Turnpike's bid to toll Interstate 80.  I, like many of you who opposed the tolling of I-80, was pleased with the decision and felt it was the appropriate decision for the citizens of the Commonwealth.  It really speaks volumes to the success that can be experienced when state and local leaders work together for what is in the best interest of our communities.

However, while everyone continues to express appreciation for the federal government's decision, one fact still remains…we have a transportation funding crisis across this country.  Once again, and oddly rightfully so this time, the federal government finds problems, but never solutions.  Sure, they turned down the transportation plan, but they did nothing to bring about solutions to this crisis.  As you may or may not know, the Federal Highway Fund, which helps states fund a significant portion of our road and bridge needs, is almost bankrupt.  Unless they come up with a solution quickly, and I doubt they will, it is going to be left up to the states to find means to support a deteriorating infrastructure.  In Pennsylvania's case, that deteriorating infrastructure is the worst in the nation.

Therefore, over the past several months I have been around the district informing community leaders of a transportation plan, which I recently introduced in the Senate.  First, the plan calls for the elimination of tolls on Interstate 80; part of the plan that has already proven successful.  In addition, this plan calls for the General Assembly and the Governor to make tough budgetary decisions.  It calls for, among other actions, transferring funding for the Pennsylvania State Police out of the Motor License Fund over a two-year period.  This creates over a half billion dollars toward our roads and bridges.  The State Police would be funded by existing revenues in the general fund.  Along with public-private partnerships and limited bonding, the Commonwealth would be looking at approximately one billion dollars toward transportation.

As I stated, we have to make tough, prudent decisions in the general fund to make this happen.  However, I believe the safety of our residents far outweighs the need for a good headline on a project that should not be a priority in the budget.  It is time to reign in spending, make infrastructure a priority and find much of the revenues for our road and bridge problem in the current state budget.