Bill seeks to reduce funds diverted from transportation to state police

State Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong County) announced Monday that he would soon introduce legislation designed to reduce the amount of funding diverted from transportation improvement projects to state police operations.

“The State Police definitely provide an essential role in promoting highway safety, but the ultimate way to improve highway safety is to rebuild our deteriorating highways and bridges,” Pittman said. “My bill does not reduce funding for the State Police, but rather shifts the source of the support to the General Fund budget. The State Police need and deserve the full funding necessary to fulfill their mission.”

The Motor License Fund has provided more than $4.25 billion for police operations since fiscal year 2012-2013. The funds otherwise would have allowed the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to begin more highway and bridge improvement projects.

Money from the fund to the police was capped at $801 million as part of the fiscal year 2016-2017 budget. Over 10 years, the amount is scheduled to decrease to $500 million.

Approximately 4 percent of the fund will be transferred through fiscal year 2027-2028. Pittman’s bill would double the transfer so the $500 million is reached in fiscal year 2023-2024.

Only 47 percent of state police manpower hours were dedicated to highway safety in 2016.