NEW CASTLE —
Whenever politicians make broad, blanket pledges, they often run the risk of making themselves look foolish.
And so it is with Gov. Tom Corbett, who once again is faced with the prospect of trying to explain how a tax increase is nothing of the sort.
You may recall that when he ran for governor, Corbett made the standard Republican promise not to raise taxes while in office. Since that time, he has supported the imposition of a fee on shale gas extraction in the commonwealth and authorized a new line on state income tax returns seeking payment of previously uncollected use tax.
Now comes an increase in gasoline taxes. Only don’t expect the governor to call it that.
News reports indicate that a major part of Corbett’s upcoming plan to upgrade transportation maintenance funding in the commonwealth will involve a change in Pennsylvania’s oil franchise tax. The move — which will require legislative approval — involves lifting a current cap on the tax.
The effect of this move would mean higher taxes for gasoline stations — to the tune of nearly $2 billion a year.
When Corbett floated this idea a few months back, he argued that lifting the cap wouldn’t necessarily lead to higher prices at the pump, because a variety of factors impact gasoline prices.
That’s true, but the same could be said of any consumer product. Does that mean government can boost taxes on them and then claim it did nothing of the sort?
Apparently so in Harrisburg, where Corbett’s press secretary, Kevin Harley, denied the plan would boost taxes. “How is he raising taxes?” Harley asked an Associated Press reporter wanting information on the subject. “I am curious how he is raising taxes.”
Well, we’re curious about how this can be anything other than a tax increase.
If oil companies have to pay Pennsylvania an additional $2 billion a year, we think it’s a safe assumption that the money will be tacked on to gasoline prices. Any argument to the contrary strikes us as ludicrous.
Be that as it may, it appears Corbett’s plan will receive widespread support in the Legislature, where lawmakers in both parties have been clamoring for more transportation funding. Democrats will accept the new tax, while winking and nudging at Corbett’s inconsistency. Republicans will seek to avoid the subject.
There is no doubt that roads and bridges in Pennsylvania need work, and that means they need money. Obtaining those funds from gasoline makes sense in terms of it being the equivalent of a user fee.
However, we hope that Corbett’s upcoming announcement on transportation funding comes with renewed state efforts at efficient, responsible spending. Pennsylvanians already shell out billions of dollars for state highways. The money needs to be used wisely.
Closer Look
Our Opinion: Transportation plan obviously increases consumer costs
- Closer Look
-
-
State Street project to restrict local traffic
Motorists should expect lane restrictions on State and Falls streets starting this week. Improvements are scheduled to begin Thursday on a stretch of the highway, running from Jefferson Street in downtown New Castle to Wilson Road in Union Township.
-
Ellwood hires borough manager
Ellwood City council has hired Bob Villella to serve as borough manager. At last night’s meeting, Villella was approved at a salary of $60,000 per year.
-
On The Record: Today’s police and district judge reports
On the Record is a periodic update of public information coming out of the Lawrence County Government Center and local police departments. Look inside for the latest listing of births and district judge reports
-
Bikers gather to honor lost loved ones
Dozens of area bikers participated in the first Memory Run on Saturday. S.C.A.R.S., a group that provides support for families who have experienced a sudden tragic loss of life, sponsored the event. Each motorcyclist rode in memory of someone he or she had lost.
-
Bridge News: Span on Wampum Road opens; plans on display in Ellwood
The Wampum Road Bridge over Hickory Run in North Beaver Township will reopen at 4 p.m. today. The bridge, owned by North Beaver Township, was closed to traffic in 1998, because of extreme deterioration.
-
County Marcellus Shale revenue outlined
Lawrence County and its 27 municipalities will receive near a half-million dollars in Marcellus Shale impact fee revenue. The revenue — $442,015 — was collected for 2012 under a measure passed last year by the Legislature.
-
John K. Manna: New ways needed to cover transportation improvements
Nobody can dispute the fact that bridges throughout the United States and Pennsylvania are on the verge of falling apart. Plus, roads continually need to be repaired or replaced.
-
On The Record: Today’s police and district judge reports
On the Record is a periodic update of public information coming out of the Lawrence County Government Center and local police departments. Look inside for the latest listing of births and district judge reports.
-
Ohio man suspect in Pulaski burglaries
A man jailed after being arrested by police in Ohio may be responsible for burglaries in Pulaski Township. Steven J. Direnzo, 41, of 954 Mathews Road, Boardman, was arrested Tuesday night. He was charged with driving under the influence, driving while under suspension, tampering with evidence and receiving stolen property by Boardman police and Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department detectives, who had used surveillance video to piece together several crimes.
-
Our Opinion: Vo-tech nursing program faces elimination in budget crunch
The past few years have been difficult financially for Pennsylvania’s education system. Tight budgets produced by an economic slowdown, weakening support from Harrisburg and an ever-increasing rise in personnel costs has created a fiscal bind for most school districts, those in Lawrence County included.
- More Closer Look Headlines
-
