When we talk about Homeland Security, we usually think about defending the United States against physical attacks from outside the country.
However, there’s a different kind of assault involving the security of our homeland right here in Mercer County and it’s coming from our own state leaders. The financial security of our county is being threatened by the rejuvenated attempt of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to toll I-80.
That became clearer than ever with The Herald story this week concerning a study done by Grove City College’s Tracy C. Miller, an associate professor of economics. The report demonstrates that the impact on our area might even be more devastating than initially thought.
A frightening part of the report detailed that a toll on I-80 would likely result in a loss of $1 billion to residents, businesses and communities along the highway, thus costing jobs and lowering property values.
Despite the efforts of all our local elected officials on the state level, a proposal to toll the road was still submitted to the federal government in an earlier attempt for approval. Luckily, the proposal was turned down by the Federal Highway Administration.
However, the proposal has been revamped and changed to try to appease the FHA and gain approval for tolling the road.
One of the brightest hopes against the tolling provided in the report indicates that the state may be exaggerating the need for the tolls. Miller said that the state’s own figures show the annual cost of maintaining the highway is about $80 million. But in 2006, trucks paid more than $90 million in taxes and user fees while cars paid more than $40 million in gas taxes for miles traveled on I-80.
Even people who aren’t smarter than a fifth-grader should be able to add those figures and come out with the state making a profit rather than losing money.
Miller’s report provided some true insight on the potential impact of the tolls, which is really just a hidden way to provide more funding for transit operations in the state’s two major cities — Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
He points out that about 75,000 people work for an employer depending on I-80 for shipping and some of those jobs will be lost. If there is a tolling of I-80, some of the businesses that have formed there, may move to areas which will allow cheaper transportation costs for their goods.
Many firms from the county would face higher transportation costs and one manufacturer reported that shipping costs would increase by as much as $900,000. How could that business hope to survive?
The report reveals many more facts that make it imperative that all our state officials from this locale continue to battle against the tolls. But more than likely the real war will come at the federal level where we need U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, who represents the majority of northwestern Pennsylvania, to continue to fight our cause.
The financial security of Mercer County — already unstable under the weak economy — is at stake over this issue. If tolling of I-80 becomes a reality, Miller’s next report might be on the economic death of Mercer County.
Opinion
OUR VIEW: Tolls on I-80 likely would devastate area’s economy
- Opinion
-
-
Juicy tips will be far fewer without ‘Scoop’ on the phone
I enjoyed calling him Scoop. I was the newspaper guy, but for more years than I can remember, Gary Douglas was at the other end of phone calls on a regular basis.
“Did you hear about this? Did you hear about that? Did you hear about so-and-so? Better check this out. I’ll bet you haven’t heard about this.”
That usually was the flow of the conversation. Most of the time he was right. Some of the tips turned into stories that were fit to print, and others not so much.
-
The only thing we have to fear is fear-mongering
To hear some folks tell it, it’s no longer morning in America, it’s five minutes to midnight. They say the United States, once the greatest nation on Earth, is today on a glide path to the ash heap of history.
-
Super Bowl Sunday brings a super boost for the local economy
The game is more than a glitzy international event. It serves as a one-day boon to local economies like ours here at home.
-
Punxsutawney Phil, Mitt and a litany of bad GOP hopefuls
Here are some thoughts from a guy who doesn’t put a whole lot of stock in rascally rodents that make weather forecasts.
-
In Ed Likovich’s yard, apples don’t fall very far from the tree
Adage tells us that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It really applies to the Likovich family of Hermitage, specifically Ed the father and teacher and Ed the son and student.
-
A smaller state legislature? Don’t hold your breath
Don't tell me that our state General Assembly is finally going to do what should have been done many years ago – cut the size of the Legislature.
-
A sad end to life: History will determine JoePa’s legacy
I had the privilege, yes privilege and honor, of meeting Joe Paterno several times in my life, both as a student at Penn State and in my role as editor of The Herald. It was with a heavy heart when I learned that he was near death during the Mercer County Hall of Fame’s annual dinner at the Park Inn by Radisson Saturday, and that he had died Sunday.
-
OUR VIEW: Dearth of candidate interest defies worth of legislative races
In case you hadn’t noticed, this is an election year. Actually every year is, but this is one of the big ones. Sure, there’s some sort of presidential race going on, but that’s just a sideshow to where the real action in this year’s election is – or at least should be.
Voters across the country will be electing every member of the U.S. House of Representatives, and here in Mercer County voters will help decide who represents three state House districts. -
Hall of Fame weekend stirs memories of ‘good old days’
Is there anything better than reminiscing about the “good old days”? That’s why I love the Mercer County Hall of Fame’s annual induction weekend.
-
We couldn’t fool anyone - the neighborhood always snitched
An old African proverb tells us that it takes a village to raise a child. At least two books drawing lessons from the proverb have been written, including the most famous in 1996 by Hilary Clinton, “It Takes A Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us.”
- More Opinion Headlines
-
