OOIDA Call to Action – Pennsylvania members
October 8, 2009

Pennsylvania truckers and other highway users who want nothing to do with paying twice to use I-80 are encouraged to show their support for a report that is scheduled to be released next week. The report, titled “I-80 Tolling Impact Study,” says tolls on the freeway would hurt the state’s economy.

Prepared for and funded by the No Tolls on I-80 Coalition, the group consists of chambers of commerce and other groups in the I-80 corridor.

The report examines the consequences of Act 44. Two years ago, lawmakers approved Act 44 empowering state transportation officials to pursue tolls on I-80. To date, the federal government has not accepted the state’s application.

The report will be released Monday, Oct. 12, during two public events featuring members of Congress and state lawmakers as guest speakers.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-PA, will address the first coalition event at 11 a.m. Monday at the Hampton Inn & Suites at Exit 173 in Lamar, PA.

The second rollout event on Monday is planned for 3:30 p.m. at Grove City College, Carnegie Hall, at Exit 24 in Grove City, PA, and will feature U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-PA, as guest speaker.

Those able to attend the event in Lamar are asked to call Clinton County Economic Development Partnership at 570-748-5782.

For the Grove City event, contact Elaine Morris at the Penn-Northwest Development Corporation, 724-662-3705 Ext. 1584, emorris@penn-northwest.com.

It’s more important NOW than it ever has been to call your local, state and federal lawmakers to voice your strong opposition to converting I-80 into a toll road.

We already pay for roads through fuel taxes and other user fees. Adding tolls on top of this cannot be tolerated. OOIDA members and other truckers are encouraged to make their voices heard on this issue.

Tolling I-80 is not the answer to the state’s transportation funding crisis. It will only create another enormous burden on small businesses trying to compete in our national and global marketplace. It’s critical to have your voice heard now on this extremely important issue.

To contact your state representative and senator, click here. In the right-hand corner you can enter in your information to get your state lawmakers contact info. For congressional lawmakers, call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.