City Council cell phone ban attacked elsewhere in state, could cost city $90M

All of that ended quickly.
Last week, we reported City Council created quite a buzz by unanimously passing legislation that would have made illegal the use of mobile devices while driving — unless using hands-free technology. That has some fuming.
PennDOT has called the bill  a violation of the state Motor Vehicle Code, saying cell-phone use legality cannot vary county to county, according to the Daily News.
On Monday, the state House approved legislation which included a provision that would withhold state funds from municipalities that were not in compliance with that vehicle code, according to a press release from the office of Rep. Dick Geist of Altoona, who introduced the provision.
There’s little doubt that’s a swipe at Philadelphia and the funds in question could be state gas tax, which gives Philadelphia in excess of $90 million per annum.
The state House Legislative committee struck down its own cell phone ban last week, but it did pass a bill that would give police the right to fine anyone who was driving carelessly due to mobile phone use. Careless, of course, would be determined by the police officer.
I reported from the Harrisburg state capital for a time, and if I only learned one thing, it’s that legislators outside of Southeastern Pennsylvania hate nothing more than the sway of Philadelphia. They don’t take kindly to our city passing its own laws that interfere with their politicking. That’s why Mayor Michael Nutter, with declining popularity, is going to figure out the political pitfalls before he moves ahead city council’s ban. He’s balked so far, but the bill could have new life if the Nutter administration thinks it can hold water — which it might not.
Don’t worry, though, as ITWorld reported, (h/t to WHYY) more than 20 cities will soon have access to a new TV broadcast format that would allow tube watching easier from the car.