PHIA News Digest – Vol. 66
State police eating up big chunk of Pa. transportation budget
Call it Pennsylvania’s highway robbery.
A pot of money from a huge increase in fuel taxes and motorist fees under a 2013 law designed to shore up Pennsylvania’s highways and bridges is not so huge anymore, as a growing amount is getting diverted to the Pennsylvania State Police.
Now, alarmed transportation planners, construction firms and engineers are looking at 12-year Department of Transportation projections that show a fattening state police budget consuming more dollars meant for construction projects. Lawmakers are taking notice, too.
“I think people are shocked to find that what they voted for is going to the Pennsylvania State Police,” Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards said.
