Tolling I-80 Not Dead Yet

[agentsteel53]

Public transit in this country (except in cities like New York and Chicago where there just isn't any way to drive for the most part) is for the more unsavory types.

I don't think "unsavory" is the word you are looking for.  Bankers and AIG executives and senators and other low-grade scumbags who hosed the economy are definitely not the sorts of people who ride public transit.

[mightyace]

Public transit in this country (except in cities like New York and Chicago where there just isn't any way to drive for the most part) is for the more unsavory types.

I don't think "unsavory" is the word you are looking for.  Bankers and AIG executives and senators and other low-grade scumbags who hosed the economy are definitely not the sorts of people who ride public transit.

There are always exceptions.  When Vice President Joe Biden was still Senator Joe Biden, he regularly took Amtrak between Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC.  Whether Joe Biden is a low-grade scumbag or not is a matter of personal opinion, but he definitely was a senator! 

[agentsteel53]

There are always exceptions.  When Vice President Joe Biden was still Senator Joe Biden, he regularly took Amtrak between Wilmington, DE and Washington, DC.  Whether Joe Biden is a low-grade scumbag or not is a matter of personal opinion, but he definitely was a senator! 

good for him!  (yes, is low-grade scumbag until further notice )

[Nexis4Jersey]

I wonder if really rode Amtrak each day or is did he ride the Cheaper yet fast MARC service?

[froggie]

MARC would not have gotten him to Wilmington.  He rode Amtrak.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Oh thats right hes in Wilmington , they plan on connecting Septa and MARC together and finishing up the World's Longest commuter line.  Form Boston to DC.  instead of expensive Amtrak you could take numerous cheaper services.

[mightyace]

Penn Pike hiring firms for I-80 toll conversion

Do they know something we don't know?  Or are they just getting their ducks in a row if things go their way?

[Nexis4Jersey]

yes , its called Govt sneaky ness ........there trying to hide it form the public.

[vdeane]

I think they're just being way overconfident.

[PAHighways]

Tolls For I-80 Still Key to Transit Funding, Rendell Says

[mightyace]

^^^
I would have been surprised if he said anything different.

IMHO: This is the scary part.

Is there a Plan B?

"There is no backup plan that I am aware of at this point," said Mr. Kirkpatrick.

Mr. Markosek said Act 44 was Plan B, enacted because the Legislature did not want to raise taxes or fees.

WTH are they thinking?  If this is "Plan B" and it fails, they need a PLAN C.

[vdeane]

PA seems to be very ignorant regarding their chances of tolling I-80.  Personally I wouldn't mind if this gamble results in ruing their budget - it would hopefully teach their politicians a lesson they won't forget.

[froggie]

That's the problem....if history is any indication, they'll push/shrug off the lesson and forget it.  Remember, as Jeff has noted, they've been trying to toll this since BEFORE it became an Interstate...

[Chris]

Politicians tend to have a short term memory. Or no memory or common sense at all.

[J N Winkler]

Question:  does Pennsylvania have term limits for members of its legislature?  If it does, then there is a good chance the current incumbents are counting on not having to clean up the I-80 debacle.

[PAHighways]

No and people love their encumbents here, even after the pay raise debacle of 2005.  There is a term limit on Governors, so Rendell will be gone in November.

[vdeane]

People love incumbents everywhere.  The typical congressman has a 90% chance of being re-elected.

[PAHighways]

Thompson Expects "Good News" on Interstate 80 Tolls

[froggie]

It sounds like the "good news" he's expecting is that FHWA shoots it down again...

[mightyace]

People love incumbents everywhere.  The typical congressman has a 90% chance of being re-elected.

Yeah, several years ago, I remember hearing of a poll of the type.

Do you approve of the job that congress is doing?  about 60-65% said no

Do you approve of the job that your congressman is doing? about 75-80% said yes

Or, "It's congress' fault, but not my congressman!"

Hence the problem...

It sounds like the "good news" he's expecting is that FHWA shoots it down again...

Yep.  Of course, as I said in the link that I posted as well, it's all just speculation at this point.

[PAHighways]

State House Speaker Lobbies U.S. for Approval of I-80 Tolls

[mightyace]

State House Speaker Lobbies U.S. for Approval of I-80 Tolls

Speaker Keith McCall comes from Carbon County, which is just south of I-80 in northeast Pennsylvania.

...

Mr. McCall recently announced he won't seek re-election to the House this year.

<sarcasm>
Way to take a stand Mr. McCall since you aren't going to have to face the voters again!  
</sarcasm>

[yanksfan6129]

State House Speaker Lobbies U.S. for Approval of I-80 Tolls

Speaker Keith McCall comes from Carbon County, which is just south of I-80 in northeast Pennsylvania.

...

Mr. McCall recently announced he won't seek re-election to the House this year.

<sarcasm>
Way to take a stand Mr. McCall since you aren't going to have to face the voters again! 
</sarcasm>

Typical politician . . .

[PAHighways]

Pennsylvania Really Needs Federal Government to Approve Tolls for I-80

[froggie]

No they don't.