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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 30, 2023 11:46 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Perry S. Warren |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Commuter and Commerce Tolls Tax Credits |
| As we well know, highway tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike increase annually, and the cost of tolled bridges increases regularly, too. Tolls are critical to maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s road infrastructure and public transit. However, increased tolls impact Pennsylvania commuters and encourage motorists to travel on non-tolled roads, thereby increasing the traffic and putting greater strain on local roads. Further, highway and bridge tolls have an uneven impact on Pennsylvania residents. Part of the reason for the disparate impact of tolls arises from the non-tolling of Interstate 80. In 2007, the General Assembly passed a law that increased state support for transportation needs by proposing tolls on Interstate Route I-80, increasing tolls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and issuing revenue bonds. However, the federal government denied Pennsylvania’s request to toll I-80. Accordingly, Pennsylvania has not received toll revenue from I-80, and transportation costs have fallen more heavily on users of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. We should help relieve the burden on Pennsylvanians who need to use the Turnpike to go to work and visit family, while still providing needed funding to public transit services that many workers depend on daily. That is why I am introducing legislation that would provide a tax credit to cover 50 percent of a taxpayer’s toll-related expenses for the taxable year, up to a maximum of $1,000. Tolls incurred while traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, as well as all toll bridges operated under the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission or the Delaware River Port Authority, would be eligible. Please join me in supporting Pennsylvania commuters, while providing for a robust public transit system in our state. Your consideration and co-sponsorship are appreciated. |
Introduced as HB1222