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December 18, 2009

Lawmakers from Pa. voice opposition to tolls on I-80

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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A month after 10 state senators sent the U.S. Secretary of Transportation a letter urging him to reject a proposal to toll Interstate 80, some of those legislators headed to Washington to join congressmen in asking the Federal Highway Administration deputy administrator to do the same.

After the meeting with Greg Nadeau, U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski said he will continue to oppose tolling I-80. Kanjorski, D-Nanticoke, said tolling the 311-mile east-west interstate “so clearly discriminates against Northeastern Pennsylvania.”

“We must invest in projects and policies that will benefit Pennsylvanians and tolling on I-80 will do just the opposite,” Kanjorski said.

Since 2007, Kanjorski has sent multiple letters to the Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration stating his opposition to tolling on I-80 and urging them to reject the turnpike commission’s application.

Fifteen state senators and representatives attended the meeting, including Sen. John Gordner, R-Berwick, and Rep. Mario Scavello, R-Mount Pocono.

Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, was one of the 10 signers of the letter to Secretary Ray LaHood in November but wasn’t in Washington Thursday.

At the time, Baker said the plan would have a devastating effect on many Pennsylvania businesses, a number of which have contacted her to voice their concerns.

“I have heard from many local businesses that are concerned about the economic impact and that view this as a major obstacle,” Baker said.

The chance to hear from state legislators who could relay reactions from their constituents to federal officials spurred the meeting Thursday.

“This meeting provided a good opportunity for the administration to hear from people in our region who would be directly impacted by the tolling of I-80,” said U.S. Rep. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township. “I have made my opposition clear from the get-go. Tolling I-80 would stifle economic development along the I-80 corridor, seriously hurt our region’s businesses and put an undue burden on our neighbors who use the highway on a daily basis.”

In addition to Carney and Kanjorski, two other congressional representatives with districts that touch I-80 were on hand – U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-Erie and U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Bellefonte.

“It was good to have members of the Pennsylvania Legislature join us here to meet with the Federal Highway Administration and let them know the strength of the opposition to the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s funding scheme,” Thompson said.

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