Two legislative committees are taking opposing positions on the question of West Virginia Turnpike tolls: Should they stay or should they go?
The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday began consideration of a bill that would keep tolls on the Turnpike after the current round of 30-year bonds is retired in 2019 (SB 397), citing the $85 million a year in revenue the Turnpike produces, and the estimated $60 million a year in costs that would be shifted to the already severely underfunded Division of Highways to take over operations and maintenance of the 88-mile roadway.
"We have a huge problem funding our roads," Transportation Chairman Chris Walters, R-Putnam, said Tuesday. "This is just one of the bills we need to do to find more money and fix our roads."
Under existing law, once the bond issue is paid off, operations of the Turnpike will transfer to Highways, contingent on the approval of the commissioner of highways.
A bill that advanced from the House Roads and Transportation Committee on Monday would make that transfer mandatory, and it also spells out the process for how Parkways employees are to be transferred to other state agencies - or laid off (HB 4222).
Delegate Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, committee chairman and lead sponsor of the bill, said he's "comfortable and confident" in moving to repeal Turnpike tolls.
"I would consider anything to the contrary to be a broken promise to the people of Southern West Virginia," said Gearheart, a longtime foe of Turnpike tolls.
He said the tolls amount to "double taxation" for residents who use the Turnpike.
Walters, however, said it would be irresponsible to eliminate an $85 million a year source of state revenue, particularly when out-of-state vehicles account for $64.5 million of that amount.
He also noted that West Virginia would receive no additional federal highways funding if the tolls are removed.
"I'm not going to run a bill to remove tolls from the Turnpike," Walters said Tuesday.
Earlier, Parkways General Manager Greg Barr said 310 full-time jobs are at stake, including 160 toll collectors.
"They've got house payments. They've got car payments. They're putting their kids through college, and now they're knowing the tolls may come off in three years," he told the Senate committee. "It's very unsettling for them."
Sen. Art Kirkendoll, D-Logan, noted that other states have no qualms about operating toll roads.
"When you travel as a West Virginian to other states, you pay higher tolls, and you pay more tolls," he said.
"Looking to take tolls off something when we have deficit funding in Highways, I don't get it," Kirkendoll added.
On Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox said studies indicate that the state government needs $16 billion in additional funding to complete all the highways projects on the books, and about $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion in additional annual funding to adequately maintain existing roads and complete new projects.
"That is, essentially, doubling our current budget," he said.
However, not all committee members were sold Tuesday on continuing Turnpike tolls.
Sen. Jeff Mullins, R-Raleigh, said that, while 80 percent of the Turnpike traffic might be from out-of-state, Southern West Virginians pay a disproportionate share of the other 20 percent.
"So many people from Southern West Virginia travel the toll road," he said. "It's a cost to them. It's a cost to their families."
The Senate committee is awaiting information on available tax credits or deductions for commuters and other frequent Turnpike travelers before advancing the bill.
Reach Phil Kabler at philk@wvgazettemail.com, 304 348-1220 or follow @PhilKabler on Twitter.