Recently we encountered a couple of op-ed articles worth reading. One was by PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards explaining the importance of addressing the State Police funding issue.
In it, she pointed out something that most of our Coalition members know, but that many Pennsylvanians probably don’t: that Pennsylvania is rare among the 50 states in having a dedicated transportation fund.
We know it as the Motor License Fund, where fuel taxes and license and registration fees are directed, to be used for highway purposes. The approach assures that those who use the transportation system pay for its construction and upkeep, and the more they use it, the more they pay.
The second op-ed article was submitted by APC’s Bob Latham, who noted that public-private partnerships that alter the financing model for transportation projects do not eliminate the need for a funding stream to pay for the projects. It seems that P-3 proponents sometimes lose sight of that fact.
Both articles may be found below.
Transportation Issue Update
- PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards explained the challenge behind the need to address the State Police funding issue and preserve as much revenue as possible for transportation projects.
- APC’s Bob Latham submitted an op-ed article to PennLive/the Patriot News pointing out that public private partnerships, while effective with some applications, do not make the need for funding magically disappear.
- Philly’s Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) will undergo a major asphalt resurfacing, with nighttime work continuing through the end of October.
- PennDOT and rabbittransit officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome the commonwealth’s newest public compressed natural gas station in York.
- To build or not build the Mon Fayette extension? A bipartisan group of legislators says “yes.”
- Governing Magazine checked in with the latest development on autonomous vehicles.
- Another Governing piece says cities are making progress in reducing pedestrian deaths.
- PennDOT brought its Workers’ Memorial to Schuylkill County to remind drivers to use caution when traveling through work zones.
- Nine airports will make safety upgrades and expand operation opportunities with the assistance of $10 million in state investments, Gov. Tom Wolf announced.