LD 661-- "Resolve, to Provide Equitable Tolls on the Maine Turnpike"
Representative Kathy Chase has sponsored the following bill slated for public hearing on March 20th with the Transportation Committee at 10 a.m. in room 126 at the State House.
LD 661-- "Resolve, to Provide Equitable Tolls on the Maine Turnpike".
Sec. 1 Equal cost per mile for commuter pass users. Resolved: That, beginning January 1, 2010, the Maine Turnpike Authority shall implement a method of toll collecting that levies a standard and equal cost per mile for the miles driven on the Maine Turnpike by drivers using a commuter pass, also known as an E-Z Pass. Failure to do so will result in the rollback of turnpike tolls to the schedules used in fiscal year 2007-08, which must remain in effect until such time as the Maine Turnpike Authority demonstrates to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters that the standard and equal cost per mile driven rate for drivers using a commuter pass has been implemented.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Maine Turnpike Authority, beginning January 1, 2010, to implement a method of toll collecting that levies a standard and equal cost per mile for the miles driven on the Maine Turnpike by drivers using a commuter pass, also known as an E-Z Pass. Failure to do so will result in the rollback of turnpike tolls to the schedules used in fiscal year 2007-08, which must remain in effect until such time as the Maine Turnpike Authority demonstrates to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters that the standard and equal cost per mile driven rate for drivers using a commuter pass has been implemented.
Our current tolling system is inequitable. We in the southern Maine area pay a much higher cost per mile then other areas in Maine. This bill will require the tolls to be the same price per mile for those with E-Z pass, regardless of how far or where or what direction someone travels. Right now the cost per mile to travel the entire length of the Turnpike (Wells to Exit 102) is about 70% per mile cheaper than it is to travel from Wells to York. And the cash price to travel from Wells to Exit 102 is the same cost as it is for the E-Z pass ($4). So anyone can travel whether cash or E-Z pass the entire length from Wells to Exit 102 for 70% of the cost per mile it would be to travel from Wells to York with the E-Z pass discount.
End bill summary.
Everyone’s help is needed to get this bill passed. Together we can get equity in our tolls through the E-Z pass system. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please pass on to anyone who may be interested.
* Contact me if you would be willing to testify: 468-0747 or email kathydhchase@hotmail.com <mailto:kathydhchase@hotmail.com>
* Write a letter of support that I can read when I testify. It does not have to be fancy, just why you believe we should have equitable tolls.
* EMAIL THE MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMT WITH YOUR COMMENTS. To: kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov <mailto:kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov>
Transportation Committee Clerk: Kathie Bilodeau kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov <mailto:kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov>
Senator Dennis S. Damon (D-Hancock), Chair <http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/bios/bio28s.htm>
Senator Joseph C. Perry (D-Penobscot) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/bios/bio32s.htm>
Senator Walter R. Gooley (R-Franklin) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/bios/bio18s.htm>
Representative Edward J. Mazurek (D-Rockland), Chair <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/mazuej.htm>
Representative George Hogan (D-Old Orchard Beach) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/hogagw.htm>
Representative Ann E. Peoples (D-Westbrook) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/peopae.htm>
Representative Charles Kenneth Theriault (D-Madawaska) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/therck.htm>
Representative Charles W. Harlow (D-Portland) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/harlcw.htm>
Representative Michael E. Carey (D-Lewiston) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/careme.htm>
Representative William P. Browne (R-Vassalboro)* <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/browwp.htm>
Representative Douglas A. Thomas (R-Ripley) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/thomda.htm>
Representative Richard M. Cebra (R-Naples) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/cebrrm.htm>
Representative Kimberley C. Rosen (R-Bucksport) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/rosekc.htm>
LD 661-- "Resolve, to Provide Equitable Tolls on the Maine Turnpike".
Sec. 1 Equal cost per mile for commuter pass users. Resolved: That, beginning January 1, 2010, the Maine Turnpike Authority shall implement a method of toll collecting that levies a standard and equal cost per mile for the miles driven on the Maine Turnpike by drivers using a commuter pass, also known as an E-Z Pass. Failure to do so will result in the rollback of turnpike tolls to the schedules used in fiscal year 2007-08, which must remain in effect until such time as the Maine Turnpike Authority demonstrates to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters that the standard and equal cost per mile driven rate for drivers using a commuter pass has been implemented.
SUMMARY
This resolve requires the Maine Turnpike Authority, beginning January 1, 2010, to implement a method of toll collecting that levies a standard and equal cost per mile for the miles driven on the Maine Turnpike by drivers using a commuter pass, also known as an E-Z Pass. Failure to do so will result in the rollback of turnpike tolls to the schedules used in fiscal year 2007-08, which must remain in effect until such time as the Maine Turnpike Authority demonstrates to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters that the standard and equal cost per mile driven rate for drivers using a commuter pass has been implemented.
Our current tolling system is inequitable. We in the southern Maine area pay a much higher cost per mile then other areas in Maine. This bill will require the tolls to be the same price per mile for those with E-Z pass, regardless of how far or where or what direction someone travels. Right now the cost per mile to travel the entire length of the Turnpike (Wells to Exit 102) is about 70% per mile cheaper than it is to travel from Wells to York. And the cash price to travel from Wells to Exit 102 is the same cost as it is for the E-Z pass ($4). So anyone can travel whether cash or E-Z pass the entire length from Wells to Exit 102 for 70% of the cost per mile it would be to travel from Wells to York with the E-Z pass discount.
End bill summary.
Everyone’s help is needed to get this bill passed. Together we can get equity in our tolls through the E-Z pass system. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please pass on to anyone who may be interested.
* Contact me if you would be willing to testify: 468-0747 or email kathydhchase@hotmail.com <mailto:kathydhchase@hotmail.com>
* Write a letter of support that I can read when I testify. It does not have to be fancy, just why you believe we should have equitable tolls.
* EMAIL THE MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION COMMT WITH YOUR COMMENTS. To: kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov <mailto:kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov>
Transportation Committee Clerk: Kathie Bilodeau kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov <mailto:kathie.bilodeau@legislature.maine.gov>
Senator Dennis S. Damon (D-Hancock), Chair <http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/bios/bio28s.htm>
Senator Joseph C. Perry (D-Penobscot) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/bios/bio32s.htm>
Senator Walter R. Gooley (R-Franklin) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/bios/bio18s.htm>
Representative Edward J. Mazurek (D-Rockland), Chair <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/mazuej.htm>
Representative George Hogan (D-Old Orchard Beach) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/hogagw.htm>
Representative Ann E. Peoples (D-Westbrook) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/peopae.htm>
Representative Charles Kenneth Theriault (D-Madawaska) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/therck.htm>
Representative Charles W. Harlow (D-Portland) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/harlcw.htm>
Representative Michael E. Carey (D-Lewiston) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/careme.htm>
Representative William P. Browne (R-Vassalboro)* <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/browwp.htm>
Representative Douglas A. Thomas (R-Ripley) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/thomda.htm>
Representative Richard M. Cebra (R-Naples) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/cebrrm.htm>
Representative Kimberley C. Rosen (R-Bucksport) <http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/hsebios/rosekc.htm>
posted by Kathleen Chase at
12:03 PM
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