All Pennsylvanians rely on our roads, bridges, and public transportation networks. Whether you represent rural, urban or suburban residents, transportation is essential to them and our economy. However, we are also seeing significant strain on our public transportation systems and roads and bridges that weave through rural, urban and suburban communities. We currently face a crisis of funding and creativity in addressing these essential needs.
 
As such, I will be introducing legislation that will recognize the importance of roads, bridges, and public transportation in Pennsylvania, that will create a funding mechanism and that will strengthen a tool to provide better, less costly local services while increasing the capacity of PennDOT.
 
First, the legislation will increase the amount Pennsylvania’s municipalities receive for participating in the Highway Transfer Turnback Program (Turnback Program), where payments are made to local municipalities annually for the maintenance of these state roads. This will lighten the load on PennDOT, will create significant saving for PennDOT and allow municipalities, whose tax bases are structured to provide such services, the opportunity to better meet the demands of their residents. It has been almost 20 years since local municipalities were given more incentives for taking care of state roads, which destroyed the effectiveness of the program. The increase will be from $4,000 per mile to $12,500 per mile and will include a biennial cost-of-living increase to attract new municipal applicants.
 
Second, the legislation will create a $0.95 fee for rideshare rides in Pennsylvania. The proceeds from this fee would be divided equally between several infrastructure funds, including funds for the Turnback Program, public transportation, and money for our roads and bridges.
 
All Pennsylvanians deserve well-maintained roads and bridges and a functioning public transportation system. Whether you represent rural, urban or suburban residents, this bill will help your constituents. Please join me in supporting our municipalities, our public transit riders, and our transportation infrastructure.