ALLENTOWN (TNS) — New ideas can be scary, especially new ideas from government that have the potential to cost you money.
But I hope we can set aside any fears and take a serious look at a proposal for revamping how Pennsylvania pays for its road maintenance, road construction and mass transit.
A recommendation to scrap our oppressive gas tax and replace it by charging drivers for every mile traveled was delivered to Gov. Tom Wolf and state lawmakers on Friday.
People who use roads more should pay more for their maintenance.
The gas tax no longer can be the centerpiece of the funding system because it’s no longer a fair measure, or sufficient to cover the needs.
Vehicles on our roads have a wide range of fuel efficiency. People who have to buy gas more often should not subsidize the system for others. People driving electric vehicles, especially, need to be made to pay their fair share.
Friday’s report was written by the Transportation Revenue Options Commission.
Formed by Wolf in March, it had nearly 50 members, including state lawmakers and administrators, municipal and transportation industry officials, and representatives from the construction industry, business associations and labor unions. The executive director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Becky Bradley, was a member.
The commission’s report recommends phasing out the gas tax — Pennsylvania’s is the second-highest in the nation at 58.7 cents per gallon — and replacing it with an 8.1 cent fee for every mile driven.
Some people would pay more and others would pay less under that plan. I believe the idea has merit. And I say that knowing I could be paying more.
While I am working from home now, if I had to resume commuting to an office in Allentown and was charged for miles driven, I’d be paying about $5.18 cents per day. When I was commuting, I was burning about two gallons of gas a day, which cost me about $1.17 in state gas taxes.
As lawmakers and the governor consider the recommendations, they need to evaluate the impact of people working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s unlikely that everyone will resume traveling to work. Some offices have been closed permanently, as employers recognize they can operate with a remote workforce.
The decision makers also must keep in mind that everyone benefits from roads, not just those who drive on them regularly.
Roads allow emergency vehicles, trash trucks and delivery drivers to reach our homes. They are community assets, and everyone should contribute something to their construction and upkeep. The system should be supported with general tax revenue, too.
A similar attitude should be held toward mass transit. Users should pay their fair share, but bus and subway systems should be funded as a public service, too. They reduce congestion, cut pollution and provide transportation for people who cannot afford a car.
Friday’s report had other recommendations for restructuring transportation funding.
They include to expand tolling; double the cost of annual vehicle registration; increase the tax rate on vehicle sales; increase fees on vehicle rentals and leases; impose a fee on taxis and ride sharing services such as Uber; charge a $1 fee for every package delivery; increase the jet fuel tax and impose a registration fee on aircraft.
The aircraft revenue would be used strictly for air-travel improvements.
In addition to creating a fairer funding system, charging drivers for every mile they drive could help the environment, too, by reducing pollution.
People might drive less if they knew they were going to pay every time they got in their car. They already are through the gas tax, but that’s a hidden cost.
Maybe they would carpool. Bike. Take a bus. Order products online instead of driving to the store. Run multiple errands in one trip instead of making separate trips.
Pennsylvania is $9.3 billion short every year on the money it needs to adequately care for the state transportation system. The longer that major expenses, such as bridge replacements, are put off the more they could cost in the future.
The recommendations from the commission would help to raise the additional money that is needed. And do it in a fair way. They deserve serious consideration.
(Paul Muschick is a columnist for The Morning Call of Allentown.)
