The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) rejected the plan to toll Interstate 80 because it did not meet the requirements set forth by federal law. That is the revenues generated by the tolls were not to be used for the maintenance and upkeep of the road itself. Instead legislators and the architects of 2007’s Act 44 viewed the highway as a cash cow to be milked for the benefit of a select few.
Obviously, there are those who wish to ignore federal law. In a recent opinion piece, it is suggested that President Obama bully the FHA into allowing I-80 to be tolled. They reason that Pennsylvania’s transportation funding concerns warrant violating federal law and would "stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy". The only people who stand to get stimulated would be unionized construction workers who will get prevailing wage labor on any new construction projects.
And who else would benefit from tolling the highway? Mass transit in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia would be the big winners. They will once again receive outside money without having to reduce costs, privatize, or become efficient. By extension, labor will then profit as these transit systems’ unions will not have to accept any concessions to current or future wages or benefits. They can keep asking for more knowing there is yet another revenue stream to underwrite their greed. And finally the Turnpike Commission will benefit as they too will have extra money at their disposal and can continue their patronage ways as those new toll booths on I-80 can be staffed with friends of lawmakers.
This will not stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy, it will only benefit a few favored groups while adding more burden to Pennsylvania’s citizens.
