PA Could Confiscate State Tax Refunds Of Turnpike Toll Scofflaws

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania could begin garnishing the state tax refunds and lottery winnings of those with unpaid turnpike tolls.

Democratic state Sen. Lisa Boscola has introduced legislation to address the chronic problem of people who do not pay their tolls when billed for traveling on the highway. From April 2021 to March 2022, the turnpike commission reported a total of $155 million in unpaid tolls - a 49 percent increase from the previous year.

"Unfortunately, the law-abiding turnpike users are being punished by this loss in toll revenue, with continued toll increases year after year," she said. "It is imperative we step up enforcement and give the turnpike tools to go after these repeated offenders."

The bill now goes before the Senate Transportation Committee. If the panel approves the measure, it will go before the entire Senate for a vote.

Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor last month released an audit of the turnpike commission, revealing the agency is $13 billion in debt. That's $2 billion more than Pennsylvania's total debt of $11 billion.

DeFoor blamed part of the commission's precarious financial condition on the increasing amount of uncollected tolls.

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