Posted: | February 18, 2021 12:27 PM |
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From: | Senator Wayne Langerholc, Jr. |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Reforming Pennsylvania’s Public-Private Transportation Partnership Statute |
In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation to reform the Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute to bring more transparency to its process. Passed unanimously by the Senate in 2012, Act 88 created the P3 Board. This board is the framework for public-private partnerships including but not limited to, the construction of Compressed Natural Gas fueling stations at transit agencies and the rapid replacement of 558 state-owned bridges. Recently, the P3 Board enacted a new initiative – the scope of which has never before been undertaken – the tolling of major interstate bridges in the Commonwealth. This initiative will permit PennDOT the authority to essentially tax and appropriate funds without additional oversight from the General Assembly. At a time when transparency to our constituents is of paramount concern, we must ensure the voices of our constituents are heard, that they are involved in the process, and that the General Assembly is ultimately the one responsible for such decisions in our Commonwealth. As such, my legislation will reform the P3 statute to provide a clear, fixed notice requirement, a public comment period specific to the scope of projects to be undertaken as well as strengthening the General Assembly’s oversight. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. |
Introduced as SB382