Turnpike counties would get some of toll money under Senate bill

A state senator says it’s time to give something back to residents in the four Turnpike counties.

Sen. Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, introduced a bill Tuesday that would take one-half of one percent of the Turnpike’s annual gross revenues and give the money to the county commissions in Kanawha, Fayette, Raleigh and Mercer counties.

“I didn’t go for one percent or two percent or five percent. I went for one-half of one percent, which would be about four million dollars,” Chafin said. “I don’t want to affect their ability to pay their bond. That’s not the purpose at all. But it would at least lighten the load on those who have paid it for years and years and years.”

Sen. Chafin introduced the bill and made his comments on Mercer County Day at the state capitol. Turnpike tolls have long been a sore point for Mercer County residents.

Chafin says the money would go to the county commissions to use on things like tourism. He says it would help Mercer County.

“About a million dollars a year to compete with what’s going on in Virginia where they have no tolls,” Chafin said. “They want to do a horse park. They want to do all kind of things that will add to the coffers of West Virginia.”