Sen. Gordner Proposes Alternative Plan to Tolls on I-80

The Governmental Affairs Committee of The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce met on Friday, Jan. 18, at the Chamber Business Center to discuss the analysis of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Public/Private Partnership Legislation. Among those in attendance was Sen. John Gordner, who shared a summary of discussions held by the Transportation Committee, a bipartisan committee chaired by the Secretary of Transportation.  Membership in the Transportation Committee includes both the majority and minority chairs of the House and Senate Transportation Committee and 10 members appointed by the Governor.

The proposed plan states that the Transportation Committee will be given the power to negotiate 50 year public/private agreements with American-based and majority American-owned companies in return for an upfront payment to the Commonwealth.  The existing Pa. Turnpike will be divided into three distinct sections for the purposes of entering into public/private partnership agreements.  The three sections will include the eastern section, from mile-marker 247 in I-76 to the border of New Jersey; the northeast extension section will be from mile-marker 20 to marker 131 on I-476; and the west section will be from mile-marker 247 on I-76 to the border of Ohio.  The plan suggests that by dividing the Turnpike into three sections, it will allow for greater competition among a larger pool of companies.

The Governmental Affairs Committee of The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce works in a regional manner, advocating for major legislative issues as listed on the Pennsylvania’s Chamber Web site. The 2008 legislative priorities are business taxes, healthcare, legal system reform, energy, and the environment, labor laws and regulations, economic development programs, transportation, education and workforce.