Testimony: I-80 toll would hurt Pa.

By RICHARD L. BOCCIA

Some fear putting a toll on the interstate will drive truckers away.

SHARON, Pa. — Making Interstate 80 a toll road through Pennsylvania could threaten the commonwealth’s economy, said business and government leaders during a public congressional field hearing Friday.

U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie, R-3rd, convened the meeting at the Sharon Municipal Building, vowing to stop the proposed toll, “even if it takes a full-blown fight.”

English welcomed fellow Congressman John Mica, the Republican leader of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who came to listen and consider the national precedent of Pennsylvania’s road controversy.

“What we need is a fair and equitable [federal] policy,” Mica said before giving the floor to state Rep. Mark Longietti of Hermitage, D-7th, who shared concerns about the toll’s impact on local companies.

“If we toll it, they will leave,” Longietti said of trucking companies and independent drivers from Mercer County that depend on the interstate.

Others shared his concern that a toll would put Pennsylvania companies behind out-of-state competitors who don’t use I-80.

Larry Reichard, executive director of the Penn Northwest Development Corporation, presented the results of asurvey of 60 Mercer County businesses, with 85 percent reporting they’d become less competitive under the burden of a toll.

Anderson Coach and Tour of Greenville, Pa., predicted it would pay $500,000 in new toll expenses annually, a rate that would increase, according to the toll proposal.

Doug Anderson, president of the charter bus company, attended and said his company is just one of the regional businesses with a profit margin too small to absorb the toll in light of rising diesel prices.

“This isn’t just a western Pennsylvania issue — this is a Youngstown, Ohio, issue,” Anderson said.

This hearing marked the fourth or fifth time Richard Beech has spoken out against the toll. Beech is the CEO of the George J. Howe Co. based in Grove City, Pa., known for its “Here’s Howe” candy and nuts.

Beech spoke passionately as the 25-year employee of his family business, calling the toll “targeted taxation” that crushes the spirit of entrepreneurs. His company had planned to spend $10,000 on expansion that would have to go to the toll instead.

“Many neighboring states are welcoming new businesses with incentives and open arms. Pennsylvania simply taxes them out of the state, or worse yet, out of existence,” Beech said in his statement.

The owner of Arrowhead Wine Cellar near Erie, Pa., echoed that fear. “Tolling I-80 is going to be a nail in the coffin,” said Nick Mobilia, describing the negative business climate and fuel taxes that affect companies that ship their products out of northwestern Pennsylvania. “We just can’t take anything else.”

Ken Maleski, a Clarion Economic Development Corporation board member, described filming YouTube videos protesting the toll, including a demonstration planned for the end of June that will gather volunteers to an industrial park on I-80 to dance in a conga line.

“The state government is dancing to a different beat than what the people want,” said Maleski.

Shirley Cooper, a retired National City worker who lives in Transfer, Pa., brought a petition to the meeting that she drafted to oppose the toll, and in opposition of the larger practice of leasing commonwealth assets.

Representatives from the Manufacturers’ Association of Northwest Pennsylvania and the Shenango Valley’s Regional Chamber of Commerce also made presentations opposing the toll.