THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY PETRI, LENTZ, SCAVELLO, HELM AND O'NEILL, MAY 11, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MAY 11, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study

intermodal transit in southeastern Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The regions of this Commonwealth consisting of

Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Northampton, Lehigh, Berks,

Philadelphia and Montgomery counties are presently served by the

following transportation systems:

(1)  Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

(2)  Philadelphia Parking Authority.

(3)  Delaware River Port Authority.

(4)  Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission.

(5)  Philadelphia International Airport;

therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

undertake a study of replacing the current transit entities in

southeastern Pennsylvania with a regional system to make

recommendations for dedicated funds from locally derived sources

and shall meet with the affected transportation systems; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That among the sources the committee may consider

are a levy to be imposed on parking facilities, including

airport parking facilities, naming rights, advertising, bridge

tolling, privatization of road systems, direct revenue sources

derived from tolling of specific lanes or structures or

surcharges for use of certain lanes by motorists at specified

times during the day and dedicated taxes or fees; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That the committee be precluded from identifying

any other local revenue derived from the imposition of a realty

transfer tax, earned income tax or regional sales tax upon the

residents or businesses located within the geographical

boundaries of the district without public recommendation from a

two-thirds majority of the members of the committee for any

other locally derived revenue which would require legislative

enactment by the General Assembly; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee also hold public hearings on the

matters to be considered by it at locations throughout

southeastern Pennsylvania, including specifically those areas

most likely to be served by any system that may replace the

existing transit entities in southeastern Pennsylvania. All

meetings and public hearings of the committee shall be deemed

meetings for the purposes of and subject to 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7

(relating to open meetings); and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

report its findings and recommendations to the House of

Representatives on September 15, 2010; and be it further

RESOLVED, That upon receipt of the final report of the

committee, the House of Representatives promptly review and

consider the recommendations of the committee and develop

legislation based on those recommendations for consideration as

it deems appropriate.