Baker opposed to I-80 tolling law

HARRISBURG n State Senator Lisa Baker opposed the transportation funding bill which was recently signed by Gov. Ed Rendell. The bill, (HB 1590) calls for tolling on portions of I-80 locally. In remarks on the Senate floor, Baker said, “There are serious transportation needs across Pennsylvania and there is no doubt that this bill will put some badly needed funding into some places that do need the money.” However, Baker said the dispersal of funds and its new revenue sources hurts rural areas coming and going. “There are serious concerns about the consequences of tolling. Traffic will move off the Interstate and onto local roads that are not equipped to handle the load. The economic growth usually generated at access points will be curtailed or hampered,” she said. On the spending side, “The plan invests too much money into Philadelphia and Pittsburgh for mass transit, and not nearly enough for the badly needed roads and bridge projects in my region. Not enough is being asked of those who use mass transit or of those areas where mass transit is a major part of the picture. Conversely, rural areas that I represent are being asked to contribute too much for too little in return. “Lastly, this plan renews an old habit in Pennsylvania - one that has proven to be bad public policy n borrowing for road improvement... I do not believe that this bill is the solution for the people of my district, or for rural Pennsylvanians anywhere.”