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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 6, 2017 11:32 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Ed Neilson |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Require Legislative Approval for Converting Free-of-Charge Roadways into Toll Roads |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that will require legislative approval for any proposed conversion of an existing, free-of-charge roadway in Pennsylvania into a toll road. As our Commonwealth continues to struggle with how best to sufficiently fund an aging transportation infrastructure, the concept of tolling roads often comes up in discussion and debate as a way to generate additional revenue for the improvement or expansion of our transportation system. While the merits and drawbacks of tolling continue to be discussed and debated, I believe it is imperative that Pennsylvania’s Legislature be actively engaged in evaluating future toll conversion proposals for any roadway in this Commonwealth and have the authority to either approve or deny any such proposal. My legislation amends Title 74 (Transportation) of the PA C.S. to require approval by the General Assembly before an existing and free PA roadway can be converted into a toll road. It is important to stress that my legislation also stipulates that the requirement of legislative approval does not apply to transportation projects authorized under Pennsylvania’s public-private partnership law (Act 88 of 2012). These projects already have a mechanism for rejection by the General Assembly. Please join me in supporting this legislation by co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1716