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House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 8, 2013 04:02 PM
From:	Representative Steven J. Santarsiero
To:	All House members
Subject:	Reintroduce Former HB 2688 of 2011-12: Amending the Tax Reform Code of 1971 providing for commuter and commerce toll tax credit

In the near future I intend to reintroduce former HB 2688 of 2011-12, establishing the Commuter and Commerce Toll Tax Credit. In 2007, the General Assembly passed Act 44, which increased state support for transportation needs by proposing tolls on I-80, increasing tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and issuing revenue bonds. With the increased revenue from higher tolls, Act 44 required the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to make annual contributions to the Motor License Fund. For Fiscal Year 2012-2013, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission transferred $450 million; $200 million was deposited in the Motor License Fund for the Road & Bridge Program; and $250 million was deposited in the Public Transportation Trust Fund. As you know, the Federal Highway Administration did not approve our application to toll I-80, which left a hole in the funding available to upgrade our increasingly dilapidated transportation system. The rejection of the application also removed a more geographically-balanced attempt to fund our entire transportation network by having a toll road in the northern tier of our state, instead of only relying on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which is largely utilized by drivers in the Southeast, Greater Pittsburgh Area, commercial trucking companies, and others along the turnpike corridor. My legislation will help alleviate the cost for those Pennsylvania-based drivers and businesses whose tolls are used to build roads and bridges all across the Commonwealth. Specifically, my legislation would offer a 50 percent tax credit for tolls paid with a $500 cap per filer. Only those individuals, corporations, or small businesses with tax liability will be eligible. In order to qualify, all tax credit filers must submit valid EZ Pass documentation. Additionally, the tax credit will be extended to Pennsylvania residents and Pennsylvania-based companies that shoulder an additional cost when accessing the toll bridges operated under the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission and the Delaware River Port Authority of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Please join me in supporting this fair minded legislation.

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