Welcome to Pennsylaware. Pennsylvania proposes interstate highway tolls at state borders...

[madinmaryland]

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/05/pennsylvania_proposes_intersta.html

Pennsylvania legislators believe that charging drivers a border toll every time they enter and exit the state on its interstate highways is an innovative way to generate millions to fix their roads and bridges.

But Ohioans may consider the idea a new form of highway robbery. A local law professor said it may even violate interstate commerce laws.

A bill introduced this week would establish gateway tolls at the 11 locations where interstate highways cross Pennsylvania's border.

So a traveler from Ohio driving along Interstate 90 to a casino in Erie or one taking Interstate 80 to do some home shopping at IKEA would pay $1 at the state line and another buck on the way home.

A trucker would be hit even harder, being charged $5 to enter the state and another $5 to leave.

Pennsylvania lawmakers have to approve the legislation and if they do, the state's department of transportation would manage the program and decide how to collect the tolls. The department estimates 168 million vehicles annually cross the state's borders on nontolled interstate roads and bridges. The new tolls would raise about $300 million a year.

..snip

[azmouse]

1. There is a one word answer to PA:

Boycott.

If no one goes into the state, no tolls are collected and business suffers. They rethink the tolls. :shrug:

[charlie and algernon]

2. does that mean PA is getting rid of its sales tax too?

Then I might just have to move back home to PA, lol.

[KamaAina]

3. Patently unconstitutional

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#A1Sec9

No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

Clearly the Founding Fathers could not have envisioned the automobile, so "vessels" ought to include cars and trucks.

[bullwinkle428]

6. The NY state thruway has toll booths at the state border

along I-90 - I know from experience, having made that drive from the midwest via I-80 and I-90 countless times.

As long as they make it I-PASS compatible, I won't have a big problem with it. I've gotten spoiled by the system now that Indiana, Ohio, and NY allow me to use my Illinois-based transponder...

[KamaAina]

7. But the Thruway is toll along its entire length

NY residents have to pay it, too. PA's proposal targets vehicles entering the state only.

[madinmaryland]

9. Isn't that what Delaware's does also?

Of course it's only a four mile highway to get the Delaware!!

[Dappleganger]

4. So we have to pay to drive through your potholes now?

Yuck.

[Mopar151]

5. I've been to Pennsylvania

Charging people to get in is absurd. But you could sell a toll to let you out prety easily.....

[Captain Hilts]

8. VA wants to do the same thing at the NC border. nt

[Old Troop]

10. Well that ought to get the tourists flocking to the State

A little like California and the okies

[dsn]

11. Expect the side roads to be packed with independent trucks

If I had two choices: pay a toll to enter PA via the interstate, or drop off the superslab and cross the border on a side road free of charge, my ass would be on the side road so fast it would make your head spin. The fleet drivers wouldn't give a shit--if you're contracted to someone they generally pay tolls anyway--but the independents who pay their own tolls will really get pinched.