Transportation chairmen get input on plan to ensure road and bridge funds
Committee received input about Motor License Fund supporting State Police
Rep. Ed Neilson April 12, 2023 | 3:55 PM
HARRISBURG, April 12 – State Rep. Ed Neilson, D-Phila., majority chairman of the PA House Transportation Committee, held an informational meeting Tuesday to discuss whether the Motor License Fund should be used in funding the state police. Minority chairman Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre/Mifflin joined Neilson in leading the meeting.
In his first budget address, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed reducing the $500 million transfer from the Motor License Fund to the state police by $100 million per year for the next five years, with the goal of reaching $0 by Fiscal Year 2027-28.
That would provide an additional $1.5 billion cumulatively over the next five years for road and bridge projects in Pennsylvania.
According to Neilson, since 2013, PSP has received more than $6.3 billion that should have been spent on roads and bridges.
According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, every $1 spent on transportation generates up to $3.60 in economic activity.
Shapiro has proposed establishing a Public Safety and Protection Fund to provide a dedicated source of funding to the state police for public safety and law enforcement.
“Fully funding the state police remains a top priority,” Neilson said. “The state police provide an invaluable service to the Commonwealth. They protect our communities, they protect us on the roads, they protect us while we sleep. The governor’s proposal establishing the Public Safety and Protection Fund will provide a dedicated source of funding to the state police that is not subject to political squabbling.”
Both Neilson and Benninghoff said they support the governor’s proposal, which they have introduced joint legislation to implement.
Neilson said that funding for Pennsylvanian’s 120,000 miles of roadway and 32,000 bridges is a constant challenge because the state’s road system is larger than New Jersey’s, New York’s and all of New England’s combined.