Inside Harrisburg

by state Rep. Dan Frankel

Frankel, other leaders introduce state transportation funding plan

On Jan. 4, I joined with two other House Democratic leaders to introduce a comprehensive legislative package to deal with the state's transportation funding crisis.

At the news conference, House Democratic Whip Mike Hanna, D-Clinton/Centre, said, "It has been five months since Governor Tom Corbett's handpicked Transportation Funding Advisory Commission issued its report. The governor has chosen to say little about the group's recommendations, other than he is assessing them. Pennsylvania's deteriorating roads and bridges deserve a higher priority than the governor has given them. And if he is choosing not to lead on this issue, then it's time for the legislature to take action."

Our plans resemble that of Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman, R-Centre, who introduced a funding proposal modeled after many of the $2.5 billion in the commission's recommendations.

The commission's report urged consideration of a number of measures including adjusting outdated vehicle driver fees for inflation, increasing fines, uncapping the Oil Company Franchise Tax over five years and modernizing many PennDOT services for cost savings. The proposal also carries specific recommendations to ensure adequate funding for mass transit.

I am sponsoring a proposal (H.B. 2112) that would provide approximately $200 million per year from the Pennsylvania Turnpike for mass transit.

Mass transit is a critical component of our transportation network. A well-functioning public transit system creates vibrant cities, takes cars off the roads, and gives freedom of movement to all our residents who can’t drive. Without adequate transit funding, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will see more transit cuts, in addition to the cuts that are already forcing people to crowd in to buses or to wait because many buses are filled to capacity.

Rural areas that don’t see much daily traffic still need upkeep, just as urban centers need buses and trains to get people to work, school, medical appointments and religious services.

Rep. Hanna also said: "By working in a bipartisan, bicameral manner, it is my hope that we can reach a consensus on this priority in the coming weeks."

Given the governor's recent support for a levy on Marcellus Shale, as well as the supportive tax votes of Republican legislators on that issue, a no-tax pledge written by a Washington lobbyist should not hold anyone back from voting for appropriate funding mechanisms for our state's infrastructure needs.

All funding generated by the proposals would go toward transportation projects.

As we stated at the news conference, the long-term viability of our roads, bridges and mass transit systems, as well as the thousands of jobs for Pennsylvania workers that would be created through these projects, are critical to the commonwealth's economy.

The other bills in the package are H.B.s 2099 and 2101.

To view the full TFAC report, go to www.tfac.pa.gov.

As always, if you need assistance or information on any state-related matter, please contact my office at 412-422-1774 or visit my website at www.pahouse.com/Frankel. I also invite you to follow my updates on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/RepDanFrankel and twitter.com/RepDanFrankel.

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