Submitted by ktappe t3_11ty6xw in Pennsylvania
Comments
ballsonthewall t1_jcldqhe wrote
I'd rather use the money for other infrastructure improvements or school funding or something, not continuing to further subsidize car dependency.
Phl_worldwide t1_jclesaj wrote
Nah, bad idea. If it’s actually a problem with employees paying too much toll, it should be up to the employer to reimburse the employee. Not the state. PA’s roads are filthy in every corner of the state. Why don’t think hire some trash men with the money to clean it up
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_jclflzo wrote
~ten years after this passes~
"Wow, why are the roads so fucking bad??!? I pay taxes!!!!"
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_jclfq0y wrote
And the turnpike is optional. No one's being forced to take it.
Legitimate_Soft5585 t1_jclfsxb wrote
Surplus? Aren't they crying for money and need to raise rates, annually? How is there a surplus? That's not explained in the article.
No-Setting9690 t1_jclgltm wrote
LMAO. Dude that's been going on for decades in PA.
fugazishirt t1_jclhlmn wrote
Why are the rates going up when there’s a surplus?
embeeclark t1_jclhs1s wrote
Aren’t bridges just like falling down and in total disrepair?
SamuelLCompassion t1_jcliytx wrote
Sure, we can send it to the State Police.
lexispots t1_jcljt0m wrote
Why do EZPass users need to provide the state with EZPass receipts, when the state has access to the EZPass system? As an EZPass user, I would prefer improved roadways over a refund.
remembersomeone t1_jclkrz0 wrote
You’re right. It’s often the ONLY route that won’t take 3hrs though. Kinda have to get on it at some points in PA unless you wanna drive all day and spend more in gas/time.
defusted t1_jcllhmx wrote
Penndot is such a joke. They've raised turnpike rates every year for the last 15 years, the roads and bridges are literally crumbling away, and the asshole says they have a surplus and want to give the money back? If they have a surplus then why do we keep paying more? Fix our god damn roads.
berraberragood t1_jclmxrv wrote
Some other states give discounts to home-state EZ-Passes, we could too.
Excelius t1_jclne2v wrote
This isn't going to happen. It's just one state legislator with a harebrained idea.
ewyorksockexchange t1_jclo23b wrote
There is a difference between the Turnpike, PennDOT, and the state budget. PTC is a separate entity from the state, with its own budget and funding stream.
This plan is essentially to refund tolls to PA drivers out of the state budget without reducing PTC’s income.
zmiller834 t1_jclofac wrote
Because the turnpike commission had to issue bonds to make payments to penndot to pay for mass transportation around the state.
Excelius t1_jcloqac wrote
There is a state budget surplus currently. It's not unique to PA, most states are enjoying budget surpluses right now.
It's likely a temporary situation due to a confluence of factors, but of course many politicians are rushing to make big changes in taxes and spending as though this will be some sort of permanent condition.
States are still sitting on piles of Federal cash, from pandemic aid to infrastructure bills. In the short term inflation leads to a bump in tax revenues, as higher wages and higher prices translates to improved tax receipts. Corporate profits are still running strong.
zmiller834 t1_jclos2d wrote
Some are, some have been totally replaced, some have been refurbished. https://www.penndot.pa.gov/ProjectAndPrograms/Bridges/Pages/default.aspx
nittanylion t1_jclp9op wrote
PennDOT and the PTC are separate entities.
igotsthepoo-onme t1_jclptxr wrote
FIX THE DAMN ROADS OR AT LEAST CLEAN THE TRASH OFF THE SIDE OF THEM
ewyorksockexchange t1_jclq1wa wrote
The turnpike and PennDOT are separate entities, and neither of them are funded by PA’s general fund, which is what has the surplus.
thunderGunXprezz t1_jclrlyn wrote
We do already.
jersey_viking t1_jclrp09 wrote
Tamed t1_jcls35f wrote
Every state thinks their roads are the worst. PA actually ranks #12 \ 50 for road quality.
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_jclsej3 wrote
And that's why you're paying a premium to use it. Convenience / saving time.
JoshS1 t1_jclssrb wrote
My EZ Pass is technically a Delaware EZ Pass because that's where I got it. I am a PA resident though.
ktappe OP t1_jclweuy wrote
Probably true. He’s likely just pandering so he has something to campaign on.
stronkreptile t1_jclwixr wrote
Sorry best I can do is a fleet of hellcats for the state police.
MomsSpecialFriend t1_jcly7l1 wrote
Can’t you just reduce my outstanding bill, please and thank you.
[deleted] t1_jclyx5n wrote
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ShatterZero t1_jclz48i wrote
I want you to know that the original shitty roads "How I drive while drunk vs how I drive while sober" meme was about PA roads.
Lopsided_Cup6991 t1_jclz6sw wrote
Can you fix the right lane in both directions of 78 or I will continue to drive in the left lane of both directions until you do.
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_jclziqa wrote
It's just a harebrained idea until it passes, whoops
internetcommunist t1_jcm1zgh wrote
The funny thing about roads is all of the trucks and cars will destroy it faster than it can be repaired
[deleted] t1_jcm26a6 wrote
TheJediJoker t1_jcm2sqj wrote
Doesn't the Federal Cash expire if not used though
[deleted] t1_jcm59rk wrote
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FawltyPython t1_jcm5bsg wrote
No no, I don't think you heard us, exactly. We want road repairs, not state police pensions starting at age 56. Roooooaad repaaaaaairs
atlashoth t1_jcm66mg wrote
Hmm. I dunno. Its wild out here.
discogeek t1_jcm77vt wrote
I'll take "things that'll never happen" for $500.
insofarincogneato t1_jcm8f7k wrote
Maybe fix the toll by plate system with that money, me and like 3 other people I know never got an invoice. I'm starting to think they wait till you forget you never payed so they can add late fees.
SamuelLCompassion t1_jcm9ogw wrote
Stop resisting.
Nemacolin t1_jcma2gl wrote
Nope. EZ pay tolls are a Libertarian dream. Those who use the roads pay for them.
jetsetninjacat t1_jcmcj5g wrote
I've been saying this for years. The staties need that aircraft carrier for lake erie. Maybe some cruisers and corvettes for the rivers. Reactivate the carrier in Philly and the sub in Pittsburgh.
/s if not obvious
ParfaitMajestic5339 t1_jcmdw3i wrote
So the state is using tax surplus to pay off the Spanish pirate equity guys they sold the tpk's revenue stream to? Recognized the mistake they made after they made it...
STLLC2019 t1_jcmpc8b wrote
PA gonna offer the same refund to the trucking carriers that use the Turnpike?
Cause doing so might tempt more carriers to open up the Turnpike to their drivers, thus lessening the ever-increasing congestion on I-80. Either that, or toll I-80 at the same rate as the Turnpike.
UnaffiliatedOpinion t1_jcmpgvi wrote
There's a line to draw somewhere, but nobody has enough time to process every time a local, state, or federal representative comes up with a dumb proposal that probably won't even get a committee vote.
106473 t1_jcmr5rr wrote
It's fiat so it expires when the US financial system does. Which seems soon.
106473 t1_jcmrasr wrote
Turnpike was initially made and promised to be free.
roonroon1122 t1_jcn26k2 wrote
I'm surprised people still pay tolls tbh lol
69FunnyNumberGuy420 t1_jcn5pm0 wrote
That was before your grandpa had a driver's license.
You might as well complain about the coal mines in Shamokin all closing in the 1940s.
HogwartsKate t1_jcnv3v1 wrote
Their accounting software is a nightmare! To get a correct accounting is pathetic at best!
starion832000 t1_jcnx3yl wrote
Want the turnpike supposed to be free?
Potstocks45 t1_jco4bj2 wrote
Ny living in Pa 🤓
Joe18067 t1_jcohhxe wrote
The most expensive toll road in the country.
ktappe OP t1_jcohpfr wrote
No, never. The very word “turnpike“ refers to the bar that they would only raise to let you through once you paid the toll.
banhammerrr t1_jcoo97y wrote
Mine is NJ cause it didn’t have fees.
JoshS1 t1_jcoopl3 wrote
DE also doesn't have fees; does PA?
CDavis10717 t1_jcopxsh wrote
I paid $38.70 on PA TPK to drive a car from Valley Forge to Ohio, but I’m not from PA, so I wouldn’t get the refund. However, I’m betting the metrics show the vast majority of PA TPK drivers are from out of state, so the lost revenue is smaller than it sounds, which makes its political advantages bigger than it is.
CDavis10717 t1_jcoq2ck wrote
A burdensome refund process discourages the applications. Meanwhile, the full funds are collected. It’s part of the grift.
banhammerrr t1_jcos0tl wrote
Not sure. I got mine when living in CT and was looking at NY vs NJ. I’m sure plenty of people have them from different states. That was the only point.
lexispots t1_jcovcv5 wrote
You are 100% correct
[deleted] t1_jcoyqj1 wrote
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ItsjustJim621 t1_jcp2rxa wrote
I would prefer a refund rather than funds that were supposed to be going towards road improvements instead going to the state police
PM_ME_DIRTY_DANGLES t1_jcp8f46 wrote
Meanwhile, the Senate GQPers: Best we can do is refund 50% of toll roads to the PSP
Expensive_Job1395 t1_jcpa0ht wrote
How to get the refund plz?
starion832000 t1_jcphh4g wrote
When the turnpike was sold to the Pennsylvania public we were told that the tolls would end as soon as the project was paid for. Then, corruption.
CaraHanna t1_jcq16l6 wrote
PA charges a good amount to get an ez pass. I too live in PA and got mine from NJ
ktappe OP t1_jclcynm wrote
I'd really rather they use the $ to fix the roads, instead of issuing refunds.