XPost: pgh.opinion, pa.politics   
   From: nospam@verizon.net   
      
   The appointed Turnpike Commissioner, Joe Brimmeier is recommending a toll   
   increase.   
   What a surprise!  Mr. Brimmeier is a prime example that the Pennsylvania   
   Turnpike   
   Commission is the bastion of political patronage jobs.   
      
   So, what are the costs of these political patronage jobs that reflect in the   
   tolls   
   charged?  Turnpike toll-takers make considerably more than your local Giant   
   Eagle   
   cashier.  The educational qualifications/requirements are the same.  Yet   
   Turnpike   
   toll-takers start out at $15/hour.  Just think how much groceries would cost   
   if Giant   
   Eagle cashiers were paid a comparable salary.   
      
   It was also reported that this would be the first increase in turnpike tolls   
   since   
   1991.  However, no mention of increased gasoline taxes diverted for the PA   
   Turnpike   
   was mentioned.  In 1997, the Legislature approved a gas tax hike and increased   
   vehicle registration costs under the Ridge Administration.  This also allowed   
   the   
   heavier trucks onto the roadways.   
      
   I guess it is also forgotten that the PA Turnpike was supposed to be paid off   
   and   
   become a toll-free road like Interstate 80.  Whatever happened?   
      
   Commissioner Brimmeier insists that every singling penny of the additional   
   tolls   
   would go for road and bridge construction..  Really?  What about the gas taxes   
   that   
   come to the PA Turnpike?  Did that tax pay for their recent trips to Paris?    
   Will it   
   upgrade the Turnpike Commission’s computer system, keeping pornographic   
   photographs   
   like those of Senator Jubilier’s ex-wife.   The Senator's ex-wife must have   
   gotten   
   the turnpike job based on qualifications.  I am sure that her looks, patronage   
   and   
   being a State Senator's wife had anything to do with the hiring.   
      
   Governor Rendell, which supported the income tax increase, cell phone tax,   
   malpractice insurance tax on cigarettes also supports the Turnpike toll   
   increase,   
   what a surprise!   
      
   Regards,   
      
   Gary J. English   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)