More Road & Bridge Funding, No Tax Hike

Member Group : Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania

November 15, 2013:

Maintaining transportation infrastructure is a legitimate function of government. The challenge for Pennsylvania government has become ensuring that tax dollars are prioritized toward this core function and not diverted according to political whims.

On November 12th the House Finance Committee held a hearing on HB 762 (introduced by CAP legislator Rep. Eli Evankovich) and HB 1630. Both of the bills propose directing the sales tax collected on the sale of "on road vehicles" and "on road trailers" to pay for roads and bridges. Considering that the items purchased are used on the roads, it makes perfect sense for the taxes collected should be spent on the roads.

This simple change to the tax code would transfer roughly $1 billion a year from the General Fund to the Motor License Fund (and the repair of roads and bridges). Proponents of big government will be quick to point out that shifting these funds to fix roads and bridges will require cuts elsewhere. They would be correct. It is time for our government to handle our tax dollars the same way families treat their own budgets.

Responsible families take care of their needs before their wants. Our legislators would be well served to follow that lead.

Unfortunately, it appears that House Republicans will be voting on legislation that will hike gas taxes and fees. Contact your Representative today and let them know it is time for Pennsylvania government to get its priorities straight.

Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania (CAP) is a non-profit organization founded to raise the standard of living of all Pennsylvanians by restoring limited government, economic freedom, and personal responsibility. By empowering the Commonwealth’s employers and taxpayers to break state government’s "Iron Triangle" of career politicians, bureaucrats, and Big Government lobbyists, this restoration will occur and Pennsylvania will prosper.