Pennsylvania’s Rendell Calls Special Session to Address Gap

NEW YORK - Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell Wednesday called a special session of the Legislature, to begin Tuesday, to address a $472.5 million transportation funding gap for fiscal 2011 that resulted from the federal government rejecting the state’s request to begin tolling Interstate 80.

The Democratic governor, who will finish his second term in January, addressed a joint session of the Legislature at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

His administration had included potential I-80 toll revenue and the anticipated bond proceeds generated from the new revenue stream in its fiscal 2011 budget.

The Federal Highway Administration on April 6 said it would not allow Pennsylvania to toll its portion of I-80 as the request did not meet the federal requirement that toll revenue be used exclusively for the facility being tolled.

“As a result of this federal decision, the commonwealth immediately needs to replace $472 million in transportation system improvement funds in fiscal year 2011 or forego making significant bridge, road and transit capital improvements and reduce the incremental increases in transit operating subsidies provided for in that fiscal year,” the governor said in a proclamation calling for a special season. 
 

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