Lawmakers approve more transit money, grants for local roads and bridges and EV fees
The compromise $47.6 billion state budget approved late Thursday provided the first increase in the state transit subsidy in more than 10 years and set up a special grant program to help smaller communities get money to fix roads and bridges. A day earlier, legislators passed a bill to establish the state’s first fees for drivers of electric vehicles, who don’t pay gasoline taxes that provide the vast majority of funding for road and bridge construction in the state.
EV owners to pay a $200 registration fee under legislation passed last week
The owners of EVs would pay a $200 fee when registering or renewing their registration next year. The fee would increase to $250 in 2026. Owners of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles would pay $50 next year and $63 in 2026, under the version of Senate Bill 656 passed by the House in a 190-12 vote.
Pa. Turnpike ‘smishing’ scam making rounds again
If you received a text from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services,” it is a scam, the Turnpike Commission said Sunday. The texts center around urgent requests with the account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance isn’t settled, PTC said.
Biden gives $1.7B to states, including Pa., for electric vehicle work
The Biden administration is awarding nearly $2 billion in grants to help restart or expand electric vehicle manufacturing and assembly sites in eight states, including the presidential battlegrounds of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
Tolls set to increase on 4 major bridges in Philly area
The plan increases passenger vehicle tolls from $5 to $6 for those traveling on the Ben Franklin, Walt Whitman, Commodore Barry and Betsy Ross bridges. The Board of Commissioners will vote next Wednesday, July 17. The earliest it would take effect is August 1.
Pa. unveils new highway welcome sign, license plate designs
The new design comes as the country prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026 and are meant to “highlight Pennsylvania’s place as the birthplace of American democracy and freedom.”
Another turnpike goes to open road tolling
Toll agencies across the United States are adopting new technology. The Pennsylvania Turnpike is moving to open road tolling – meaning, no toll booths, no slowing down and no stopping to pay.