Pennsylvania Senate Approves $2.5 Billion Transportation Measure

AASHTO Journal. 7 June 2013

The Pennsylvania State Senate passed a $2.5 billion transportation funding measure Wednesday to fix the state’s bridges and roadways, as well as allow for additional transit funding. The bill, sponsored by Transportation Committee Chair John Rafferty, passed by a vote of 45-5 and now moves to the House for action.

Funding for the measure would come from an increase in driver’s license and vehicle registration fees, a new surcharge on traffic law violations (such as speeding), lifting of the cap on the oil-franchise tax, and a two cent decrease in the flat tax at the pump.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Thursday that Rafferty urged his colleagues to support the measure before the vote, stating it was “a core function of government… looking out for the health, welfare and safety” of the state’s citizens, also noting that not addressing the transportation issues across the state would end up costing more than investing now.

The vote comes just one week after a report was published by transportation organization TRIP, which said that the state’s aging transportation infrastructure costs Pennsylvania drivers about $9.4 billion each year ($1,800 per driver) due to congestion, crashes, and other factors (see related AASHTO Journal story here)​. ​​

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