HARRISBURG -- Increasing the state gas tax might be the only way to generate money for roads, bridges and mass transit as legislative leaders on Friday resisted calls to vote on a $12.8 billion offer to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a governor's spokesman said.
"To make up the shortfall, we're looking at a gas tax increase," said Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo. "Where else are we going to find the money for the shortfall in transportation funding?"
There had been little support in the General Assembly for Rendell's lease proposal, but lease proponents saw an opening last week after the federal government rejected the state's plan to charge tolls on Interstate 80. That created a $450 million void in Pennsylvania's transportation budget.
Rendell previously has opposed raising the gas tax, but Ardo stopped short of saying the governor would veto a bill to do so if there were no other options available.
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware County, said too few senators support Rendell's 75-year lease proposal to allow for a vote by the full Senate this year.
The proposal seems to have more momentum in the House, where Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans, a Democrat, and Minority Leader Sam Smith, a Republican, both support it.
Smith of Punxsutawney yesterday called for a House vote on the $12.8 billion bid from Spanish toll road operator Abertis Infraestructuras SA and Citigroup.
Jack Treadway, a retired political science professor at Kutztown State University, said Rendell might have to wait until next year.
"If the Senate says it's dead, I don't suppose they can resolve these differences in a few days," Treadway said. "I think the governor has a real tough sell on that."
Citing the difficult economic climate in a letter to GOP House members, Smith said higher taxes are not a viable option to offset the funding gap.
"Right now, the Pennsylvania Legislature can accept a proposal from a private company which will invest $12.8 billion in our state's economy," he wrote.
Rendell has said he doesn't believe Abertis' bid will still be valid when the Legislature returns to session in January.
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