Thompson Opposes I-80 Tolls
From Glenn Thompson's Office:
Congressman-Elect Glenn Thompson (PA-05) joined area business leaders, interest groups and elected officials at a transportation symposium last Friday, hosted by the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation to discuss the transportation and infrastructure funding crisis in the Commonwealth and possible solutions to meeting the budgetary shortfall that will arise in 2010. Thompson, who is set to take office January 6, has vowed to oppose the tolling of I-80 at all costs once he is sworn into office. Below is a copy of his prepared remarks:
"I'd like to thank the Clarion County Economic Development Corp. for holding this informative discussion today. I'd also like to thank the participants for their various ideas on how we can work together to ensure a sustainable funding stream for the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure, but most of all I would like to thank Congressman Peterson for his leadership on this issue from the beginning.
"It is rare that you see a member of Congress work up until his last days in office; however, I have heard the Congressman say that he collects a check until January and that he'll be working up until then.
"That is not only a testament to Congressman Peterson's strong work ethic, but also his commitment to the people of the Fifth District and especially this issue. I do not doubt that the Congressman will stay active in his opposition to tolling I-80 in the days to come.
"This past September, the Federal Highway Administration declined Pennsylvania's re-submitted application for the authority to toll Interstate 80.
"Among the prime concerns the FHWA had with the plan to toll I-80 was the fact that the application did not meet the legal requirements for the use of toll revenues. Under Act 44, the Turnpike Commission was required to use toll revenues to pay an annual lease payment to PennDOT. The amount of the payment was an arbitrary number to fill the gaps in the commonwealth's funding shortfalls; making it the second time the Turnpike Commission had failed to provide a real market value tolling I-80 would create. Once again, not everything in Act 44 adds up. It is apparent the state legislature needs to go back to the drawing board and leave the tolling of I-80 out of the equation.
"There have been several options for the future of Pennsylvania's transportation funding presented here today, some more compelling than others. However as your next member of Congress I can assure you that I will continue to work to ensure that Interstate 80 does not become a toll road.
"Secondly, as the 111th Congress begins to work on the details of the next Highway Bill, I will be a strong advocate for Pennsylvania. Currently the commonwealth receives around $1.15 for every $1 we send to Washington. Vehicle miles traveled throughout the nation have been on a steady decline over the past year; they are projected to only drop more in the future. This means less gas tax money flowing back into the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which means fewer Federal Highway dollars to go around. While we may not come out with the same federal funding levels we currently have, I will make a commitment to work diligently to ensure that the commonwealth comes out a winner when all is said and done.
"Local, state, and federal officials, must come together as we have done today to determine a sustainable future for Pennsylvania's roads, bridges, and public transit. In these tough economic times we must empower smart government solutions and use fiscal constraint. I believe this can be achieved by examining how the state spends and flexes federal highway dollars, but also by examining the various accounts in the PA Motor License Fund. We must look at potential revenues and find ways to intelligently cut costs from our agencies and take a good look at all options available to us.
"Finally, as I get ready to take office next month, I want to hear from all of you on your individual thoughts on this topic. I would like to once again thank the Clarion County EDC and all the participants for this informative and spirited discussion and thank all of you, the audience, for you interest in such an important issue."
Congressman-Elect Glenn Thompson (PA-05) joined area business leaders, interest groups and elected officials at a transportation symposium last Friday, hosted by the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation to discuss the transportation and infrastructure funding crisis in the Commonwealth and possible solutions to meeting the budgetary shortfall that will arise in 2010. Thompson, who is set to take office January 6, has vowed to oppose the tolling of I-80 at all costs once he is sworn into office. Below is a copy of his prepared remarks:
"I'd like to thank the Clarion County Economic Development Corp. for holding this informative discussion today. I'd also like to thank the participants for their various ideas on how we can work together to ensure a sustainable funding stream for the Commonwealth's transportation infrastructure, but most of all I would like to thank Congressman Peterson for his leadership on this issue from the beginning.
"It is rare that you see a member of Congress work up until his last days in office; however, I have heard the Congressman say that he collects a check until January and that he'll be working up until then.
"That is not only a testament to Congressman Peterson's strong work ethic, but also his commitment to the people of the Fifth District and especially this issue. I do not doubt that the Congressman will stay active in his opposition to tolling I-80 in the days to come.
"This past September, the Federal Highway Administration declined Pennsylvania's re-submitted application for the authority to toll Interstate 80.
"Among the prime concerns the FHWA had with the plan to toll I-80 was the fact that the application did not meet the legal requirements for the use of toll revenues. Under Act 44, the Turnpike Commission was required to use toll revenues to pay an annual lease payment to PennDOT. The amount of the payment was an arbitrary number to fill the gaps in the commonwealth's funding shortfalls; making it the second time the Turnpike Commission had failed to provide a real market value tolling I-80 would create. Once again, not everything in Act 44 adds up. It is apparent the state legislature needs to go back to the drawing board and leave the tolling of I-80 out of the equation.
"There have been several options for the future of Pennsylvania's transportation funding presented here today, some more compelling than others. However as your next member of Congress I can assure you that I will continue to work to ensure that Interstate 80 does not become a toll road.
"Secondly, as the 111th Congress begins to work on the details of the next Highway Bill, I will be a strong advocate for Pennsylvania. Currently the commonwealth receives around $1.15 for every $1 we send to Washington. Vehicle miles traveled throughout the nation have been on a steady decline over the past year; they are projected to only drop more in the future. This means less gas tax money flowing back into the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which means fewer Federal Highway dollars to go around. While we may not come out with the same federal funding levels we currently have, I will make a commitment to work diligently to ensure that the commonwealth comes out a winner when all is said and done.
"Local, state, and federal officials, must come together as we have done today to determine a sustainable future for Pennsylvania's roads, bridges, and public transit. In these tough economic times we must empower smart government solutions and use fiscal constraint. I believe this can be achieved by examining how the state spends and flexes federal highway dollars, but also by examining the various accounts in the PA Motor License Fund. We must look at potential revenues and find ways to intelligently cut costs from our agencies and take a good look at all options available to us.
"Finally, as I get ready to take office next month, I want to hear from all of you on your individual thoughts on this topic. I would like to once again thank the Clarion County EDC and all the participants for this informative and spirited discussion and thank all of you, the audience, for you interest in such an important issue."
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