Federal bills introduced to prevent tolls

eTrucker ^ | October 31 | Jill Dunn

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell, D-Iowa, has introduced the Toll Road Prohibition Act, the latest bill designed to prevent tolling on federally built highways.

HR 3802, introduced Oct. 10, would require states and cities to repay the U.S. government all federal funds used for construction of highways, bridges or tunnels, along with “reasonable interest,” before introducing tolls. “The American people should not be required to pay for the same highway twice, once through their tax dollars and again through new tolls on federal interstate highways,” Boswell said.

The legislation would not prohibit the states from entering into public-private toll agreements, but it would force them to repay the federal Highway Trust Fund first. The bill has been referred to the House transportation and infrastructure committee.

Also before that committee is a bill introduced Sept. 7 by U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa. HR 3510 would prohibit tolls on federal highways and on any highways bought back from the federal government by states. Peterson said it was part of his opposition to his state’s plan to toll Interstate 80.

Peterson’s bill is the House companion to S2019, introduced by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation wants a change in federal law to allow state buybacks of federal highways for the purpose of tolling.

Hutchison’s bill is a rare instance of a Republican on Capitol Hill at odds with a Republican governor’s administration at home. Many of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s ambitious toll-financed transportation plans have proved unpopular within his own party. The Texas GOP opposes Perry’s Trans-Texas Corridor, for example, arguing it will require the confiscation of too much privately owned land.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Trans-Texas Corridor PING!

[Paul Heinzman]

I misread. I though it said "Federal bills introduced to prevent trolls." That wouldn't be cool

It's fun to mess with trolls, and it's fun to be one sometimes.

[RightOnline]

I actually agree with a Democrat........damn. Mark the date/time, folks.

[Chode]

but we will keep paying for the ny-thruway, FOREVER!!!

[org.whodat]

HR 3802, introduced Oct. 10, would require states and cities to repay the U.S. government all federal funds used for construction of highways, bridges or tunnels, along with “reasonable interest,” before introducing tolls. “The American people should not be required to pay for the same highway twice, once through their tax dollars and again through new tolls on federal interstate highways,” Boswell said.

About damn time, but the bill need to be back dated a few years. Should charge toll road owners a fee for connecting to a citizen paid for road.

[LetsRok]

OK. Who is going to pay for the maintenance? The “federal” highways aren’t like the Appian Way and last forever.

[azhenfud]

"Many of Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s ambitious toll-financed transportation plans have proved unpopular within his own party. The Texas GOP opposes Perry’s Trans-Texas Corridor, for example, arguing it will require the confiscation of too much privately owned land."

I think Texas will ZOT that troll Ricky.

[Revel]

“OK. Who is going to pay for the maintenance? The “federal” highways aren’t like the Appian Way and last forever.”

I would think that you do. When you pay your registration and license fees....Along with the fact that the states are always getting more federal money for highways.

[Revel]

Oh...And then there is that tax on gasoline.

[org.whodat]

Who is going to pay for the maintenance?

We pay more than enough for maintenance and new roads and improvements. We just don't have anyone manage the money and the congress and senate and presidents keep stealing it.

[stylin19a]

once they take my money it becomes “theirs”.
Nevermind it was my tax dollars that paid for the roads, the FEDS want “their” money back....

[sarasmom]

LOL!
Nobody else here brought that up, and you beat me to it!
The taxpayers in states affected will actually pay twice for the same road construction,(once in Federal taxes to build it, and once in state taxes to buy it) and will pay continuous tolls thereafter, while the taxes and fees they currently pay for road maintenance, (and have paid since the roads were originally built) will never be abated.

Isn’t the power of government taxation a truly wonderous thing! /sarcasm///

[South40]

Federal bills introduced to prevent tRolls

Imagine a world with no DUmmies.

[Sarajevo]

The legislation would not prohibit the states from entering into public-private toll agreements, but it would force them to repay the federal Highway Trust Fund first.

Just quizically..... Where will the cities and states get the money to repay the Federal Highway Trust Fund?

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.

.

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D'Oh, it must be from us..................... there's that taxation catch again.......

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[org.whodat]

OK. Who is going to pay for the maintenance?

Should have add that the congress stoled over 50 billion out of hwy funds last year just for mass transit, that 90% of us will never ride.

[Our man in washington]

I favor tolls as a means to reduce congestion. Right of way at rush hour is a scarce good. It makes sense to use the market to ration who gets to drive in rush hour, just as the market rations all scarce goods.

[moonman]

Don’t Texas have a Trans-Texas Corridor ... U.S.Highway #10?