Who pays for state police coverage / Innovation U

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In this March 27, 2015 file photo, Pennsylvania State Police block the road to an apartment complex where Charles Cottle barricaded himself, in Hempfield, Pa. The latest effort by Gov. Tom Wolf to impose a fee on municipalities that use state police troopers, instead of a local police force, is getting the same pushback as the state tries to wean the state police budget off highway construction funds. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

What to look for on Smart Talk, Thursday, June 20, 2019:

In 2013 the Pennsylvania legislature passed Act 89 which was designed to generate transportation infrastructure funding to repair and upgrade the state’s roads and highways. The law increased the state’s tax on gasoline — giving Pennsylvania the highest gas tax in the country.

More than five years and a few billion dollars later, that promise appears to have not been fulfilled. A significant portion of the gas tax revenue is now diverted to pay for operations of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Part of the issue is two-thirds of Pennsylvania municipalities rely on state police for part- or full-time patrol services because they don’t have a full-time local police force. The diverted revenue is helping cover their service.

Should municipalities pay for their own state police coverage?

Joining us on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss legislation that would impose a fee for police service is Pennsylvania state Rep. Mike Sturla, a Democrat serving part of Lancaster County.

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Rep. Mike Sturla

Also, today’s marketplace encourages entrepreneurs to develop new ideas. But once you have an idea, where do you go? Who can help you take the idea to the next level?

Universities across Pennsylvania offer campus space where students and community members connect with fellow entrepreneurs, experienced business people and interested financiers.

Appearing on Smart Talk to share stories of how entrepreneurs and academic incubators collaborate to bring new ideas to life are James Delattre, Penn State’s Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship & Commercialization, Jim Hoehn, Regional President for PNC in Central PA, and Joseph Kitonga, Penn State alumnus and founder of Vitable Health.

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Jim Hoehn