Gasoline: Like it Wasn't High Enough

Southwestern Pennsylvania will receive at least $78 million from an increase in the gas tax. Of that, $33.2 million will go to road and bridge work in the region.

However, the possibility exists that Governor Ed Rendell may use some or all of that money to aid the Port Authority, which has declared a $30 million deficit.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will also receive funds from the gas tax increase: $13 million for the Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway toll road expansion projects. Some municipalities will share $8 million for streets and equipment. Also, some PennDOT offices will share $24 million for work such as road resurfacing.

The gas tax increase is an extra 3.8 cents per gallon on gasoline, and 5.2 cents per gallon on diesel. Motorists currently pay 44.5 cents in taxes on every gallon of gas they buy.

1 comment:

Jim Sandoval said...

Geez! Isn't the state legislature controlled by the Republicans? I would HOPE they would vote this down! How frustrating!