Calling the state's gas tax an unreliable source of funding, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf is looking to phase it out.
As part of that process, Wolf signed an executive order that creates the Transportation Revenue Options Commission, to be chaired by PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian.
According to a release from the governor's office, the commission " will develop comprehensive funding recommendations for Pennsylvania’s large and aging infrastructure."
Pennsylvania has nearly 40,000 miles of state-owned roads and oversees more than 25,000 bridges as well as numerous transportation modes and programs.
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“Our economy, our communities, and our future rely on a strong transportation system that supports our safety and growth. We have more than $9 billion in annual unmet needs across our state-maintained transportation system alone. At the same time, Pennsylvania is relying too much on outdated, unreliable funding methods, and the federal government hasn’t taken meaningful action in decades,” Gov. Wolf said.
“Phasing out the burdensome gas tax, coupled with seeking long-term reliable funding solutions that will keep pace with our infrastructure needs, deserves a close examination. Forming this bipartisan commission will bring multiple, bipartisan voices to the table to ensure that we can examine reliable, sustainable revenue solutions to address both near-term and long-term funding needs,” he continued.
Fuel-efficient vehicles and new technologies are making the gas tax less dependable according to the administration.
If the gas tax is phased out, the state says it would happen in conjunction with "new or replacement revenue."
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The first meeting of the commission will be March 25 and a goal to submit recommendations to the governor by August 1, 2021.
“I am grateful to all the commission members for contributing their time and expertise to this critical issue,” said Secretary Gramian. “We must work together to find sustainable, future-focused funding solutions that will keep Pennsylvanians moving.”