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WILKES-BARRE &mdash; Sen. Lisa Baker Friday said it is &ldquo;greatly troubling&rdquo; that Gov. Tom Wolf&rsquo;s bridge tolling plan gives PennDOT the authority to further tax motorists and appropriate funds without legislative oversight.
				Following extensive feedback from constituents who have voiced concerns regarding the Wolf Administration plans to toll nine interstate bridges across the state, Baker, R-Lehman Township, joined colleagues to announce the introduction of legislation to stop the proposed new tolls for motorists.
				Baker said Senate Bill 382 would reform the Public-Private Transportation Partnership (P3) statute and void the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation&rsquo;s (PennDOT) Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative.
				&ldquo;The legislation that we have introduced in the Senate today is a way to stand up for the hardworking residents of our Commonwealth and come together to address the negative economic impacts of the pandemic, while forcing government to be accountable to taxpayers,&rdquo; Baker said. &ldquo;We cannot ignore the fact that motorists are already feeling the pain of increased prices when filling their gas tanks, and that Pennsylvania already has a gas tax, which is dedicated to supporting our transportation infrastructure.&rdquo;
				On Nov. 12, 2020, the P3 Board, under PennDOT&rsquo;s jurisdiction, supported a proposal to impose user fees or tolls on major bridges throughout the interstate system. Baker said this was the first time in the P3 Board&rsquo;s history to consider a proposal with user fees.
				Baker said the serious gaps in the P3 statute became clear when PennDOT finally announced the details of the proposal three months after the P3 Board meeting. The P3 statute requires a detailed analysis prior to the meeting.
				Senate Bill 382 will accomplish the following:
				&#8226; Increases transparency by requiring PennDOT to publish a detailed analysis prior to the P3 Board&rsquo;s voting meeting, and mandating PennDOT to distribute a copy of the P3 Board&rsquo;s resolution, with or without a user fee, within 24 hours.
				&#8226; Incorporates public input by creating a new 30-day public comment period prior to the P3 Board meeting.
				&#8226; Creates checks and balances on the obscure P3 Board by clarifying any P3 project with a user fee shall be deemed disapproved unless the General Assembly approves.
				&#8226; Voids the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3 Initiative and requires reconsideration by the P3 Board following the new process outlined in Senate Bill 382.
				Baker said Act 88 authorized the creation of the P3 Board to expedite transportation projects in Pennsylvania. She said there are various P3s benefiting the Commonwealth&rsquo;s transportation system, such as the construction of compressed natural gas fueling stations at transit agencies and the rapid replacement of 558 state-owned bridges.
				The Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing on Jan. 25, to examine the loopholes of the P3 Initiative. The Committee is expected to consider Senate Bill 382 this month.
				PA Bus Association
				opposes bridge tolling
				Patricia Cowley, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Bus Association, also sent a letter to PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian, urging PennDOT to reconsider its decision to toll bridges on interstates and &ldquo;to look for a more fair and equitable approach to funding our transportation infrastructure.&rdquo;
				A spokesperson for The Martz Group in Wilkes-Barre, member of the PBA, said the company agrees with the association&rsquo;s stance on the issue.
				&ldquo;The decision to toll bridges on the interstate system is one that PBA strongly disagrees with,&rdquo; Cowley&rsquo;s letter stated. &ldquo;Our industry already pays more than its fair share to operate on Pennsylvania roadways and additional tolls would only add to that increasing cost.&rdquo;
				The letter went on to state that the COVID-19 shutdown and restrictions in Pennsylvania and around the country has had a devastating impact on travel and transportation operators.
				&ldquo;The motorcoach, tour and travel industries are dominated by small businesses, and most often these are family owned, multi-generational businesses,&rdquo; the letter stated. &ldquo;These small businesses are not capable of withstanding even a modest downturn in domestic travel and tourism, let alone the devastating situation the travel industry is currently experiencing.&rdquo;
				Cowley&rsquo;s letter also stated: &ldquo;s the motorcoach, tour and travel industries are struggling to remain in business, the imposition of tolls once we emerge from this pandemic may be the death blow to our industry. Small businesses form the backbone of the U.S. tour and travel industry, as well as provide vital links for rural communities, commuting employees, school children, and price-sensitive travelers.
				&ldquo;According to PennDOT, tolling for the construction, maintenance, and operation of bridge projects would free up funds for other projects that might not otherwise be possible. Other possibilities include charging fees for using busy roads at peak times and for use of newly constructed express lanes with less traffic.
				&ldquo;However, bridge tolling and fees for using busy roads will threaten the viability of the motorcoach, tour, and travel industries as rising costs will reduce ridership and impact the small businesses at the destination sites.&rdquo;

Baker backing bill to put the brakes on tolling of interstate bridges