VCTPP Action Alert:
On Tuesday night Representative Lee James voted to pass a transportation bill that includes the second largest tax increase in history — a $2 billion gas tax increase to be exact!! It would raise gasoline taxes by as much as 28.5 cents per gallon at the pump — making ours the highest in the nation , while drivers would pay more for licenses, registration and some traffic violations. This would provide more than $2.3 billion a year for roads, bridges and mass transit systems. Specifically, this legislation provides for nearly $500 million in additional funding for mass transit. It was defeated, 103-98, on Monday night, but Representative James voted for it then too! Intense lobbying from Governor Corbett and Republican leadership on Tuesday swayed enough waffling Republicans and urban Democrats whose constituents rely on mass transit to vote for it. It is apparent, though, that Representative James was not one of the waffling ones! The final vote is expected on Thursday, November 21st!
Action Steps
Contact Representative Lee James at his district office and express your disappointment in his votes to increase the gas tax in Pennsylvania. Also, ask him to vote against the Corbett transportation/gas tax hike bill when it next comes up for a vote. Remind him that you will be closely watching the roll call vote on this bill! His number is (814) 677-6413.