Legislation to prevent unauthorized conversion of Pennsylvania’s interstate highways to toll roads
May 12, 2014 09:56 AM to All House Members
Circulated By
Representative Matt Gabler
R House District 75
Memo
In the near future, I will introduce legislation to clarify current law on the tolling of Pennsylvania’s Interstates. Specifically, my legislation will ensure that any future attempts to toll any portion of Pennsylvania’s Interstate system cannot be done without specific legislative approval.
As you may know, Act 44 of 2007 provided a process by which the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) could place tolls on Interstate 80, with federal approval and under certain time restrictions. The Federal Highway Administration denied three separate applications by the PTC to implement tolls on Interstate 80, citing noncompliance with federal laws and policies governing toll roads.
Recent developments in Washington, DC have created uncertainty regarding the discussion of tolling. The economic uncertainty that existed along the Interstate 80 corridor following the passage of Act 44 was very harmful to jobs and economic development. The possibility of a federal reversal of policy on the tolling of existing interstate highways could create additional damaging uncertainty.
While I believe that the legal timeframe to toll Interstate 80 has expired, my legislation will remove all uncertainty and establish that future tolling schemes cannot be implemented without first obtaining specific approval from the General Assembly. Such clarification will ensure that executive agencies, now or in the future, are not tempted to use scarce taxpayer dollars in attempting to implement future tolling schemes without specific authority to do so.
This bill will create confidence and economic certainty along the Interstate 80 corridor and protect our citizens from the actions of unelected government officials at agencies like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. I invite my colleagues to sign on as cosponsors of this legislation.
As you may know, Act 44 of 2007 provided a process by which the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) could place tolls on Interstate 80, with federal approval and under certain time restrictions. The Federal Highway Administration denied three separate applications by the PTC to implement tolls on Interstate 80, citing noncompliance with federal laws and policies governing toll roads.
Recent developments in Washington, DC have created uncertainty regarding the discussion of tolling. The economic uncertainty that existed along the Interstate 80 corridor following the passage of Act 44 was very harmful to jobs and economic development. The possibility of a federal reversal of policy on the tolling of existing interstate highways could create additional damaging uncertainty.
While I believe that the legal timeframe to toll Interstate 80 has expired, my legislation will remove all uncertainty and establish that future tolling schemes cannot be implemented without first obtaining specific approval from the General Assembly. Such clarification will ensure that executive agencies, now or in the future, are not tempted to use scarce taxpayer dollars in attempting to implement future tolling schemes without specific authority to do so.
This bill will create confidence and economic certainty along the Interstate 80 corridor and protect our citizens from the actions of unelected government officials at agencies like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. I invite my colleagues to sign on as cosponsors of this legislation.
Legislation
Document - Introduced as HB 2378
Last updated on June 12, 2014 09:59 AM
Legislation to prevent unauthorized conversion of Pennsylvania’s interstate highways to toll roads
May 12, 2014 09:56 AM to All House Members
Circulated By
GABLER
Memo
In the near future, I will introduce legislation to clarify current law on the tolling of Pennsylvania’s Interstates. Specifically, my legislation will ensure that any future attempts to toll any portion of Pennsylvania’s Interstate system cannot be done without specific legislative approval.
As you may know, Act 44 of 2007 provided a process by which the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) could place tolls on Interstate 80, with federal approval and under certain time restrictions. The Federal Highway Administration denied three separate applications by the PTC to implement tolls on Interstate 80, citing noncompliance with federal laws and policies governing toll roads.
Recent developments in Washington, DC have created uncertainty regarding the discussion of tolling. The economic uncertainty that existed along the Interstate 80 corridor following the passage of Act 44 was very harmful to jobs and economic development. The possibility of a federal reversal of policy on the tolling of existing interstate highways could create additional damaging uncertainty.
While I believe that the legal timeframe to toll Interstate 80 has expired, my legislation will remove all uncertainty and establish that future tolling schemes cannot be implemented without first obtaining specific approval from the General Assembly. Such clarification will ensure that executive agencies, now or in the future, are not tempted to use scarce taxpayer dollars in attempting to implement future tolling schemes without specific authority to do so.
This bill will create confidence and economic certainty along the Interstate 80 corridor and protect our citizens from the actions of unelected government officials at agencies like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. I invite my colleagues to sign on as cosponsors of this legislation.
As you may know, Act 44 of 2007 provided a process by which the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) could place tolls on Interstate 80, with federal approval and under certain time restrictions. The Federal Highway Administration denied three separate applications by the PTC to implement tolls on Interstate 80, citing noncompliance with federal laws and policies governing toll roads.
Recent developments in Washington, DC have created uncertainty regarding the discussion of tolling. The economic uncertainty that existed along the Interstate 80 corridor following the passage of Act 44 was very harmful to jobs and economic development. The possibility of a federal reversal of policy on the tolling of existing interstate highways could create additional damaging uncertainty.
While I believe that the legal timeframe to toll Interstate 80 has expired, my legislation will remove all uncertainty and establish that future tolling schemes cannot be implemented without first obtaining specific approval from the General Assembly. Such clarification will ensure that executive agencies, now or in the future, are not tempted to use scarce taxpayer dollars in attempting to implement future tolling schemes without specific authority to do so.
This bill will create confidence and economic certainty along the Interstate 80 corridor and protect our citizens from the actions of unelected government officials at agencies like the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. I invite my colleagues to sign on as cosponsors of this legislation.
Document
Introduced as HB 2378
Last Updated
June 12, 2014 09:59 AM
Generated 05/18/2025 10:50 PM