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March 20, 2009 Jay Finegan, 287-1445
Republican Legislators Fight Increased Turnpike Tolls

AUGUSTA - In a vote today in the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation, Reps. Rich Cebra (R-Naples) and Doug Thomas (R-Thomas) voted to strip recently enacted Maine Turnpike toll increases out of the budget. The vote came as the Maine Turnpike Authority, which administers 109 miles of road, sought approval for its $83.2 million budget.

“For the turnpike to increase tolls when Maine families are tightening their belts and trying to balance their budgets is disturbing,” said Rep. Thomas. “Not only will it be a hardship to families, it will add to the costs of products traveling the turnpike to market. It will also increase the strain on other roads as people take alternate routes to avoid the higher fares.”

The rate increases were announced by the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) earlier this year and enacted February 1. In some cases, tolls went up by as much as 66 percent. While the MTA has already approved and enacted these increases, the Legislature has the power to reverse that decision as part of the budget process. As a state agency, the MTA’s bonding level and annual operating budget are subject to legislative approval.

“It’s inconceivable that they would increase fares in this economy, when working Maine families are struggling to get by,” said Rep. Cebra. “This toll increase will be a drag on the entire state, whether you use the turnpike or not.”

The Maine Turnpike Authority is an independent agency created by the Legislature in 1941 to construct, manage and operate the toll highway from Kittery to Augusta. The MTA is governed by a five-member board whose members are appointed by the Governor, subject to approval of the Legislature.

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