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GUEST COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep.
Joseph Markosek |
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Dec. 15, 2008
As a former senior engineer at the Westinghouse Water Reactor Division and a current legislator with 26 years of service under my belt, I have seen many challenges come before Pennsylvania. At Westinghouse, I was sent to clean up the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island. In the state House, I fought for much-needed assistance for autistic children and, later, for consumer protections during my days as House Commerce Committee chairman.
In 2006, after being appointed Pennsylvania's House Transportation Committee chairman, I was charged with making our state a more competitive place to work and live.
With thousands of structurally deficient bridges, and nearly 10,000 miles of
roads in poor condition, we needed a long-term, innovative answer to our deteriorating
transportation infrastructure system.
After much deliberation, in 2007, the General Assembly enacted my legislation, the current funding law, Act 44. This law authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to lease a portion of Interstate 80 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for tolling, and requires the Turnpike Commission to make payments of $83.3 billion to the Commonwealth over the next 50 years.
Since enacted, the Turnpike Commission has already paid to PennDOT $1.175 billion.
Payments of $850 million and $900 million are scheduled for fiscal years 2009
and 2010, respectively, whether or not I-80 is tolled.
Despite a grim economic forecast and high unemployment rates, Pennsylvania has a solid beginning toward funding state infrastructure without raising taxes on families.
Even more encouraging, President-elect Obama has pledged to invest billions of dollars in the nation's transportation infrastructure. Those types of investments will not only keep the Commonwealth moving, but put Pennsylvanians to work on projects ranging from repairs to installing the framework for more efficient modes of travel.
As chairman, I have also advocated for laws to protect consumers from a lack of gasoline testing, especially with unstable prices. Though we test to ensure the correct volume of gas is dispensed from the pump, Pennsylvania is one of three states in the nation that does not check for impurities in fuel that can affect octane levels. Therefore, our state has become a target for contaminated gasoline, which is sold at top dollar. I have proposed a fuel testing program to protect consumers from getting shortchanged at the pump.
Distracted driving is yet another important priority for me, and I have introduced legislation to address this situation. Young, inexperienced teen drivers should pay strict attention to the road and the hazards that accompany driving instead of sending text messages or playing with their iPods. As an added precaution, I have advocated limiting the number of vehicle passengers that a teen may have while he is behind the wheel. I believe common-sense measures like mine will keep young drivers safe.
The way we travel affects every business and person. Pennsylvania must continue to be a leader in promoting ways to efficiently and effectively improve the way we fund and think about travel in the future. I believe our Commonwealth is off to a good start in accomplishing that.
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