Corbett Wants To Keep Transportation Budget Healthy Without Tax Hike
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - His transportation funding commission has recommended an increase in gas taxes and vehicle fees to raise new money for roads, bridges and mass transit, but Governor Corbett is hinting that he may have other ideas.
It is a well-known fact that Governor Corbett has taken a pledge not to increase taxes. But his transportation funding commission, which issued its official report on Monday, is recommending that a cap on wholesale gas taxes be lifted and that vehicle registration and driver's license fees be increased.
How does he reconcile that with the no tax hike pledge? On Wednesday, while saying he was still reviewing the panel's report, also indicated there were other options he might consider.
"There's a whole lot of options there," Corbett said. "I think there's some other options out there that I'm not going to talk about right now that we could be taking a look at because obviously the issue we need is revenue."
When pressed further, Corbett again declined to offer details.
"There's some ideas out there that I want to explore."
Transportation funding is just one of several big-ticket items awaiting lawmakers when they return in the fall.
Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio 1060
