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03/29/2024 12:50 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?Chamber=H&SPick=20230&cosponId=40431
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House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: April 6, 2023 09:39 AM
From: Representative Ed Neilson and Rep. Kerry A. Benninghoff
To: All House members
Subject: Removing the State Police from the Motor License Fund
 
The repair and maintenance of Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges are funded primarily by the Motor License Fund (MLF). The MLF receives its revenues from the gas tax, motor vehicle fees, driver’s license fees, and other Vehicle Code provisions. Since 1937, a portion of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) annual budget has been funded by the MLF, peaking at approximately $800 million in 2016.
 
The PSP performs an invaluable service to our Commonwealth and must continue to be fully funded. However, every dollar taken from the MLF is one less dollar spent on our aging roads and bridges. According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, every $1 spent on transportation generates up to $3.60 in economic activity.
 
Since 2013, the PSP has received over $6.3 billion that should have been spent on roads and bridges. The General Assembly previously passed Act 85 of 2016 which gradually decreased this annual transfer from the MLF to the PSP over several years and eventually capped it at $500 million.
 
We intend to introduce legislation further reducing the $500 million cap over the next five years. Under this bill, the PSP will receive $400 million from the MLF for the next fiscal year with that amount decreasing by $100 million each year until reaching an appropriation of zero dollars in fiscal year 2027-2028. This change will make an additional $1.5 billion available for road and bridge projects cumulatively over the next five years. Our legislation will also establish a special fund in the State Treasury to be called the Public Safety and Protection Fund to be used by the PSP for public safety and law enforcement.
 
This is a measured, responsible, and reasonable approach to ensuring that money in the MLF goes fully towards our roads and bridges while giving the General Assembly the flexibility to fund the PSP through other means. Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation.



Introduced as HB1162