Senate leaders Wednesday hailed Senate passage of a comprehensive proposal to fund Pennsylvania’s transportation needs-- Senate Bill 1 (Rafferty-R-Montgomery), saying the measure is vital to public safety and economic development.

The bill was approved by a vote of 45 to 5 and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 1 will invest more than $2.5 billion in the Commonwealth’s highways and bridges, transit agencies, railways, airports and ports. It follows the major recommendations made by the Governor’s Transportation Funding Advisory Commission.

More specifically, the bill would--

-- Increase funding for the Dirt and Gravel Road Program from $5 million to $35 million annually;

-- Establishes a $60 million natural gas conversion program for transit agencies; and

-- Provides the Fish and Boat Commission with an estimated $6.4 million annually based on power motorboat use.

“I am very pleased by the collaborative effort of members from rural, suburban and urban communities in crafting this legislation,” Sen. John Rafferty, Majority Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, said. “It received such strong bipartisan support because it will benefit residents in every area of our state.”

Sen. Rafferty said the bill represents a bipartisan effort to fund transportation projects throughout the state and address critical safety issues. Pennsylvania has more structurally deficient bridges – nearly 4,400 – than any other state in the nation, and 23 percent of its 44,000 miles of state-owned roads are in poor condition.

“A recent report by a national transportation group found that the poor state of Pennsylvania's roads and bridges costs state residents $9.4 billion annually in vehicle operating costs, congestion delays and traffic accidents,” Sen. Rafferty said. “When you look at those statistics, it is very clear that state residents are paying the price for our deteriorating infrastructure. There is a cost if we don’t take action.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) praised Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch for his efforts to gain passage of the bill.

“Senate Bill 1 takes a crucial step towards solving the current demand to fund our rapidly deteriorating roads and bridges across Pennsylvania,” Sen. Scarnati stated. “Secretary Schoch’s advocacy and determination to find a fair and well-thought-out funding plan was instrumental to the passage of this bill.”

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) said the measure is crucial not only to public safety but to economic growth.

“Transportation funding is a core responsibility of state government, and it has been 16 years since Pennsylvania enacted a meaningful transportation funding program,” Sen. Pileggi said. “The time for action is now.”

Senate Bill 1 will raise revenue through a number of sources, including adjusting outdated vehicle driver fees for inflation, increasing fines, uncapping the Oil Company Franchise Tax over three years and modernizing many PennDOT services for cost savings.

Sen. Rafferty said the fact that the bill received overwhelming support in the Senate indicates that the need to increase funding is critical.

“Pennsylvania is at a crossroads. Our roads and bridges continue to crumble, our mass transit systems lack the funds for expansion needed to meet continued demand, and our railways, airports and ports struggle to be economic generators for the 21st century,” Sen. Rafferty said. “This bill will enable us to begin investing in our transportation network now – rather than putting off much-needed maintenance, construction and safety upgrades that are crucial our state’s future.”

“The time has come to do something to fix our roads and bridges and provide the type of transportation system that is safe and promotes growth” said Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), Majority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “Transportation infrastructure is a core function of government, and the Commonwealth’s ability to provide an adequate system has deteriorated to the point where the overall cost to consumers to do nothing is more than the cost to actually fix the roads.”

“Since the last action on transportation funding, the cost of construction has increased while the actual funding dollars have decreased due to increased fuel economy in vehicles,” said Sen. Corman.  “This has provided a circumstance where PennDOT is now unable to maintain current conditions, let alone increase capacities where needed, stay on top of bridge repairs, or create efficiencies and modernizations to produce future savings.”

Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of a signature transportation funding bill saying--

“The Senate passage of a significant and comprehensive transportation bill sends the signal that we are serious about addressing transportation funding, creating jobs and improving the safety of our roads, bridges and transit systems.  It also signals to the state House of Representatives that it is time they get moving on transportation.

“Without sufficient funds to repair our crumbling roads, bridges and mass transit systems, safety will be compromised and we will be at a severe economic disadvantage.  In addition, there is a dire need to invest in our rail system, airports and ports so that new business can be developed.    

“The legislation would ensure that we have financing available to fix our transportation system, generate jobs, avoid additional drastic cuts to the Port Authority transit routes and aid all mass transit operations statewide.”

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6/10/2013