To make up for a shortfall in transportation funding, the administration of former Governor Ed Rendell had applied to the federal government for permission to put paid advertisements on electronic road signs. Governor Tom Corbett's administration determined that such signs might pose a hazard by distracting drivers, so the application was withdrawn in April.
With money badly needed for bridges, highways and transit, Governor Corbett appointed a Transportation Funding Advisory Commission composed of transportation, government and finance officials to come up with ways to generate $2.7 billion annually. Proposals submitted to the governor in August include increases in franchise taxes paid by oil companies on fuel. There's a recommendation to raise fees for auto registration and drivers' licenses while increasing the interval for renewing licenses from four to eight years.
PennDOT spokesperson Dennis Buterbaugh says that the governor is still considering which recommendations to submit to the legislature, especially because the economy is still sluggish — not a good time for raising fees that might be a burden on residents.
