News From the Daily Item

Rural Pa. lawmakers announce bill to stop tolls on Interstate 80

KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press
Published July 30, 2007
The Daily Item, Reprinted with Permission

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two Pennsylvania congressmen who disagree with Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to put tolls on Interstate 80 announced a new tactic to stop the plan on Monday.

Reps. Phil English and John Peterson said they plan to introduce legislation that would eliminate the state's economic incentive to place tolls on the interstate by establishing a federal excise tax equal to the amount of the toll that would go to a federal program.

"We are not going to stand idly by and watch Harrisburg politicians pick the pockets of western Pennsylvanians to prop up Philadelphia's mass transit system," English said in a statement.

The Republican congressmen, who were slated to hold news conferences Monday in Harrisville and West Middlesex, Pa., could have a tough time getting the legislation passed in the Democratic-controlled Congress.

I-80 runs for about 300 miles through Pennsylvania between New Jersey and Ohio, passing through both lawmakers' districts.