PennDOT and State Police plan to work together over funding
The Pennsylvania State Police Barracks photographed in Loganville on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. (Photo: Jason Plotkin York Daily Record)
(Harrisburg) — The main funding source for the State Police has been the focus of a recent hearing before the state House Transportation Committee.
The State Police receives almost three-fourths of its budget from the Motor License Fund, which is also used by PennDOT for highway and bridge maintenance.
“The fiscal year 2015-2016 budget for the State Police is approximately $1.2 billion,” said State Police Commissioner Colonel Tyree Blocker. “Of this, state funds account for approximately $1 billion, which is comprised of $755 million from the Motor License Fund and $245 million from the general fund.”
PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards says she and Blocker are working together to address this issue.
“Solving PennDOT’s problem without solving the State Police’s problem is not an option that we would support,” Richards said. “We really want to make sure the state police have what they need.”
Richards notes the portion allocated to the State Police is projected to increase.
A resolution approved by the House Transportation Committee directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to look into possible alternative funding sources for the law enforcement agency.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
