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State Rep. Dwight Evans D-Philadelphia www.pahouse.com/evans

Appropriations chairman, I-80 lawmaker sponsor legislation to lease turnpike

HARRISBURG, June 5 – House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans and Republican Appropriations Committee member Steve Cappelli have co-sponsored legislation that would allow the state to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a private consortium as a way to raise money for roads, bridges and mass transit in the Commonwealth.

"I want a discussion about our options and this proposal to lease the turnpike should be in the mix," said Evans, D-Phila. "Representative Cappelli and I have the same goal – to find the best way to pay for road and bridge repairs in Pennsylvania and to fund mass transit."

Evans and Transportation Committee Chairman Joseph Markosek, D-Allegheny, have talked about holding a joint hearing on the proposal, which Evans and Cappelli introduced Wednesday. A joint hearing would allow the leasing plan to be fully vetted by the legislature, Evans said.

"I know there is concern about this proposal, particularly with regard to the numbers. But it troubles me anyone would reject this idea before analyzing it thoroughly," Evans said. "We need to be open to the concept."

Cappelli, R-Williamsport, a member of the Appropriations Committee, said he has concerns about the viability of Act 44, the legislative plan passed last year that would generate, on average, $946 million annually for the first 10 years for roads, bridges and transit by raising tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike and adding tolls to Interstate 80. The portion of the plan that calls for tolling Interstate 80 is subject to federal approval.

"We have a crisis in Pennsylvania with regard to funding road and bridge repairs and paying for transit systems," said Cappelli, who voted in favor of Act 44. "Act 44 is a good proposal, but given the public’s objections and the uncertainly of it winning federal approval, I’m willing to look at other ideas, including leasing the turnpike."

Earlier this month, the governor announced a Spanish firm had bid $12.8 billion to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike for the next 75 years. Money from the lease would be invested and the annual income would be used for highway and bridge repairs and to fund mass transit.

Evans, a proponent of Act 44, said the leasing plan is a viable option and should not be dismissed without deliberation and a public hearing to determine its impact.

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"We must find a way to generate new revenue," he said. "With gas prices at record highs, we certainly can’t raise the state gas tax. Even if we could, that money can’t be used for public transit. Senate Republicans don’t want to raise the state’s debt level. And increasing fees on items related to transportation such as licenses or tires simply won’t provide the dollars we need. That leaves two choices: Act 44, which needs federal approval, and leasing the turnpike."

The legislation is H.B. 2593.

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