Reschenthaler Introduces Amendment to Prevent New Tolling on Pennsylvanians
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) introduced an amendment to prevent the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) from using federal funds to build new tolls on existing roads and bridges and tax Pennsylvania’s families, blue-collar workers, and senior citizens. Unfortunately, the amendment, introduced during the House Committee on Appropriations’ consideration of legislation to fund federal transportation programs for Fiscal Year 2023 was blocked by committee Democrats.
“In the face of record-high inflation and unprecedented gas prices, PennDOT’s push to levy a new tax on Pennsylvanians is nothing short of cruel,” said Rep. Reschenthaler. “This tax would disproportionately hurt healthcare workers, building trade professionals, senior citizens on fixed incomes, and working families. While I recognize the need for Harrisburg to find a sustainable funding mechanism to fix the Commonwealth’s infrastructure, PennDOT should consider the current economy, community input, and the state’s budget surplus to find a solution.”
“Despite multiple court rulings that have denied plans to toll nine bridges in Pennsylvania, we still have Members of Congress, like Rep. Matt Cartwright, who support this haphazard plan and ignore public opinion to the detriment of the Commonwealth’s economy,” said Rep. GT Thompson. “Pennsylvanians are facing record inflation, the highest gas prices in history, and don’t need another tax. I commend Rep. Reschenthaler for offering this amendment and we’ll continue this fight to ensure PennDOT’s tolling scheme never becomes reality.”
In February 2021, PennDOT announced a plan to toll nine existing interstate bridges, including the I-79 bridge over Route 50, which many southwestern Pennsylvanians use every day. The plan would cost the average commuter an additional $1,000 a year. Today, a Commonwealth Court judge blocked the plan, citing PennDOT’s failure to properly consult with local authorities. PennDOT can still appeal the injunction to the State Supreme Court.
Rep. Reschenthaler’s amendment was identical to the one he offered during consideration of last year’s funding bill. It failed along party lines and was not adopted.
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