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Pocono News Section
Public Hearing on I-80 Tolls
Public Hearing on I-80 Tolls - Friday, October 26, 2007 at 4:32PM EST
Reported by: Lorena Beniquez
Friday, Oct 26, 2007 @04:32pm EST
BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY - The debate on Interstate 80 tolls went public in Bloomsburg. A three hour hearing on the Bloomsburg University campus brought out fierce opposition to Act 44.
Todd Spencer attended the hearing and heads the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. Spencer said the organization represents 7,500 truckers statewide and close to 200,000 nationally. "Our typical Pennsylvania truck driver member pays $17,500 every year in state and federal highway user fees for these roads we operate on. We more than pay for our fair share of use," said Spencer. He added, "They are just aghast the state of Pennsylvania would be considering tolls on Interstate 80, actually not just considering it, plans to do that and do it quickly."
Along with Spencer, policiticians and citizens sounded off. According to testimony at the hearings, the tolls will affect more than just truckers. It could have a domino affect on tourism and small businesses. Representative John Peterson said, "The future economic viability of Pennsylvania is threatened by Act 44. Act 44 is one of those bills that comes along in a decade or two that, literally, makes a state non-competitive."
Legislators are set to make a decision on the tolls in July 2008.
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