Legislation was introduced this week in Harrisburg to abolish the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, following grand jury findings highlighting waste, fraud and abuse within the agency. House Bill 1197, which I co-sponsored, would transfer all operations, maintenance, construction and other responsibilities for the turnpike to PennDOT in an effort to streamline government and enhance efficiency. The commission is currently run by nine executives and is in charge of 545 miles of roadway. By comparison, PennDOT is run by seven executives and manages more than 41,000 miles of roadway.
Also this week, another bill I co-sponsored was introduced that would dedicate funding to repair Pennsylvania’s road and bridges. House Bill 220 would use the money from the privatization of the liquor store system, estimated at up to $1 billion, to help pay for infrastructure projects over the next four years.
In addition, the House approved legislation this week to eliminate the inheritance tax on property transferred upon the death of a natural, adoptive or step-parent to a child under age 21. House Bill 659 would eliminate the current 4.5 percent tax placed on a property transfer of that type. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.