BCT Editorial – 12/18/06

This page was last updated on December 18, 2006.

Rubbish sale; Editorial; Beaver County Times; December 18, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“State leaders have crossed the median in considering the sale/leasing of turnpike

“Leaders in Harrisburg have made a living for years practicing do-nothing politics.

“Under this philosophy, they strive mightily to avoid issues. That way, they have no record, and no record in their minds means no ammunition for anyone looking to unseat them come election time.

“The most recent example of this involves the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

“Gov. Ed Rendell and some legislators are considering selling or leasing the turnpike to private interests in order to generate revenue for the state’s deplorable highways and public transportation.

“Rendell has been dipping into federal highway money for years to fund failing transportation agencies around the state because the Legislature has not devised a plan that would provide a steady subsidy stream for these agencies. The result has been that money earmarked to repair our pot-holed highways and decrepit bridges was frittered away on a short-term fix for ailing transportation agencies.”

[RWC] Hmm, I wonder if anyone considered rider fares as “a plan that would provide a steady subsidy stream” for “ailing transportation agencies?” No, that would be too simple, and I believe it’s safe to guess the Times wouldn’t support it.

“It is money lost that will never be regained.

“The governor and some legislators now see a potential windfall - estimates range from $2 billion to $30 billion - in the Turnpike. They are only considering it at this point, but their plan would be to invest money from the sale or leasing of the turnpike and use the interest as transportation revenue.

“Rendell says any deal would be contingent upon the buyer or renter agreeing to cap fares for several years and base any future increases on the rate of inflation. In addition, the governor would want to maintain existing turnpike jobs and have a set turnpike maintenance schedule.

“This is exactly how do-nothing politics works. Instead of fixing a problem, you avoid it at all costs, and then come up with a short-term solution.

“In this case future generations would once again have to contend with a boondoggle devised before they were born. A sale of the turnpike also has serious historical implications. The turnpike with its colonial roots was the nation’s first super highway.”

“And what would be next?

“Auctioning the Liberty Bell? Selling Valley Forge? Leasing Independence Hall?”

[RWC] I wonder if Randy Tetrick ghostwrote this editorial? <g> This is the same language you find in Mr. Tetrick’s two letters on this topic, though I critiqued only his first letter.

“Our highways must be maintained and, in some cases (remember Route 51 in Aliquippa?), rebuilt. We have to find a sure way to subsidize public transportation. Everyone agrees with that.”

[RWC] Whoa, hold your horses! The Times tried to sneak one by us.

The term “public transportation” usually means a government owned transportation service, like the Beaver County Transit Authority, the Port Authority of Allegheny County, et cetera. Here, though, the editorial also lumps in roads and bridges and then asserts that, “[e]veryone agrees” we “have to find a sure way to subsidize public transportation.”

I don’t think so.

When you use revenue sources like the “gasoline tax,” “drivers licensing fees,” “vehicle licensing fees,” et cetera to fund highway construction and ongoing maintenance, that’s not a subsidy. That’s people paying for the service they use.

When you use the aforementioned revenue to prop up mass transit authorities like the BCTA, et cetera, that’s “subsidiz[ing] public transportation.”

I could be wrong, but I believe most people believe bus riders should pay their own way, just as those of us who don’t ride buses pay our own way.

“Now it’s up to state government (shudder the thought) to act.

“If it means raising the gasoline tax, the legislature should do it.

“If it means raising drivers licensing fees, do it.

“If it means raising vehicle licensing fees, do it.

“Do whatever it takes.

“‘Nothing is off the table except doing nothing,’ Rendell has said.

“We’re going to hold you to that Mr. Governor.”

[RWC] Keep in mind that while this editorial whines about “do-nothing politics,” which is a correct observation, we also read editorials advocating so-called “independent panels” to handle issues that are “too political.” Apparently the Times sees no inconsistency in these positions.