Pennsylvania Ping!
Please ping me with articles of interest.
FReepmail me to be added to the list.
Posted on 12/31/2020 1:48:42 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Congressional leaders passed a new stimulus package meant to alleviate the financial pain of the coronavirus, but it won’t cure all that ails PennDOT’s pocketbook.
PennDOT press secretary Alexis Campbell said Monday afternoon it wasn’t clear if the relief plan will cover the $600 million funding gap plaguing PennDOT. Early media reports indicate that $10 billion of financial relief could be distributed to the 50 states’ highway systems, though it’s unclear how much would come Pennsylvania’s way.
State Sen. Pat Browne, a Lehigh County Republican and longtime chairperson of the Appropriations Committee, said Tuesday that transportation-specific wording included in the package will likely result in $350 million-$450 million coming to PennDOT.
“We are monitoring the legislation and will review it if it passes. Additional federal investment in our transportation system would be welcome, but likely will not alleviate the need for the Legislature to work with us on a long-term funding solution relative to the revenue impacts of COVID-19 at the beginning of the next legislative session,” Campbell said.
PennDOT was already facing a funding crisis when the pandemic crippled the economy. The 2013 gas-tax hike signed by Gov. Tom Corbett gave Pennsylvania the second-highest gas tax in the country, but legislators knew at the time it wouldn’t be enough to plug the projected $7.2 billion funding gap by 2020.
That financial stress has grown over the last nine months as people stayed home, driving down gas tax revenue. Campbell said Monday that 2020 gas tax revenue is $400 million below projections and will only get worse as the pandemic drags on.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
PING!
Pa has about the highest gas tax in the country! The last increase they designated significant portions to things other than highways. Bet money significant portions went to no bid single source contractors who are related to someone in state government.
Just detour around Pennsylvania. Maryland won’t mind.
But then if fewer people drive the Pennsylvania Turnpike, then That’s less wear and tear, which should reduce maintenance expenses.
Or are we saying PA turnpike toll revenue gets diverted elsewhere away from turnpike maintenance?
Pwnsions and bennies.
After all, money is fungible.
Pensions...
I’ve heard from some friends in that part of the country, that people use I 68 through Cumberland,MD, and Morgantown WV, when heading west, so as to avoid the PA Turnpike.
Has period. And turnpike tolls are outrageous
“But then if fewer people drive the Pennsylvania Turnpike, then That’s less wear and tear, which should reduce maintenance expenses.
Or are we saying PA turnpike toll revenue gets diverted elsewhere away from turnpike maintenance?”
************************************************************
Sent to Philadelphia’s mass transit. You wouldn’t expect Philadelphia to cover its own expenses, would you.
A Democrat-controlled state with a "funding gap?" (Now THAT'S a stunning "BLOCKBUSTER!" Surprise!)
A Democrat-controlled state with "new tolls or taxes?" (Now THAT'S an eye-opening "BOMBSHELL!" Shock!)
/s
The PA Turnpike is in the midst of a $2 billion initiative to reconstruct the entire highway system. Reducing wear and tear will extend the life of the asset, but it doesn’t change the fact that they have an enormous bond debt obligation to meet.
And are people going into the hospital on a sneeze?? We just don't know.
Pennsylvania Ping!
Please ping me with articles of interest.
FReepmail me to be added to the list.
As a former PA resident I feel sorry for my relatives stuck there. After Biden kills the fracking industry there then even less taxes will come in. Consequence of a stolen election if he gets away with it.
Biden can only impact fracking on federal land, and there isn’t much of that in PA.
You made your bed governor, now sleep in it!
Pennsylvania DID have the highest gas tax in the nation, but eventually Kalifornia moved into first place.
Tommie The Commie will put us back in the lead.
And just how does funding PennDOT help the bankrupt restaurant owner???
The government NEVER goes without. NEVER.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.