PennDOT to Turnpike: Pay $118 million or we're taking over
PennDOT invokes Act 44 and demands more money to fix state roads, bridges, transit
PennDOT to Turnpike: Pay $118 million or we're taking over
Joseph N. DiStefano
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has demanded that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission pay PennDOT $118 million by Sept. 18, or it will force the commission to require "a unanimous vote of all Commissioners" for any action it takes, which would have the effect of giving PennDOT secretary Allen D. Biehler, an appointee of Gov. Rendell's, veto power over the Turnpike's future decisions.
The letters were disclosed in a supplement, filed yesterday, to the Turnpike Commission's planned $273.5 million bond issue prospectus from last month.
According to the supplement, the turnpike made PennDOT a payment of $112.5 million last month for state road, bridge and transit work, as required by the state's Act 44 transporation subsidy law. But PennDOT, in letters Aug. 4 and Aug. 16, says the Turnpike owes another $118 million, under that same Act 44.
The Turnpike disputes PennDOT's interpretation, but tells potential bondholders that, under the Act 44 funding agreement, PennDOT says it will invoke its veto rights, and also seek additional, unspecified "remedies", if it doesn't get the money by the September 18 deadline.
Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo says the Commission doesn't believe it owes what PennDOT demands. PennDOT declined to comment. UPDATE: Harrisburg Patriot-News says Gov. Rendell doesn't support PennDOT's action. Previous proposals to raise transportation funds by leasing the Turnpike to private owners (Rendell) or raising tolls on I-80 (the Turnpike's idea) have been shot down. So where's road, bridge, and transit-fixing money supposed to come from?
Joe, the Motor Vehicle Fund collected $2.6 BILLION last fiscal year. Where did that money go?????
Why do people even drive anymore, move to a decent commuting location, take mass transit. Stop being fat redneck pigs, its auto-addicted people that are ruining this nation.— Capsulef
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- Bag, my guess is Cap's a student, and poor. He might feel different about public transit in 10 years when he can afford a car and a place with a yard? Tho I've come to like Septa trains. Keeps me off I-95. Mostly.— distefj
- Bubba Capsulef must own a yugo— chesterfield
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- Capsule is just the transit version of car lovers who hate transit. taking the train to work is nice, but the city has done a good job making sure there aren't many jobs near train stations making it hard for many. I like driving for fun, but commuting by car is mostly a necessary evil for me, I'd rather be reading on the train.— dreinterests
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- Can gov. Ed blame the Obama government???
5 years ago driving from philly to pitt on the turnpike cost $13... today it costs $25...
118 Mil......How many Cupcakes is that ???- aka.....A reason to raise tolls now— admin
- Here's another patronage cesspool!!!!!!! It's 2010. Do we really need a Turnpike Commission???????— Marchmadness
