Gov. Tom Corbett's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission isn't likely to have all of its proposals implemented. However, the commission's recommendations will give lawmakers much to consider in coming months if the Legislature truly is committed to resolving an estimated $3.5 billion annual shortfall in funding needed to maintain the commonwealth's highway system and mass transit.

Unfortunately for drivers, the proposed changes, if implemented, will require them to dig deeper in their pockets — although with some of the proposals could come new conveniences that could be seen as partly offsetting the higher fees.

Still, for Pennsylvania drivers accustomed to low state fees for operating their vehicles and maintaining their driving privilege, the commission's ideas represent a significant change, although some of what the commission advocates would merely bring fees up to date, adjusting for inflation.

Amid the higher basic fees could be an incentive for drivers to more carefully obey traffic laws. The commission wants fines for some traffic violations increased by $50, while the panel also advocates adding a $100 surcharge to vehicle offenses that result in points against a driver's license.

In addition, the commission advocates red light enforcement cameras in places other than Philadelphia, the only city in which they currently are legal.

The commission's overall funding blueprint, which is scheduled to be reported to Corbett by Aug. 1, contains a total of $2.7 billion worth of annual suggestions targeted toward the $3.5 billion shortfall in question.

One of the most hotly debated elements of the commission's proposal could be the panel's call for elimination of the cap on the Oil Company Franchise Tax over five years. That levy, which is paid by fuel distributors, applies only to a maximum of $1.25 per gallon of the wholesale price. According to a Pittsburgh newspaper, without the cap in place, the current per-gallon tax would be 13.8 cents higher for gasoline and 18.7 cents higher for diesel fuel.

Another controversial topic might eventually be the transportation funding panel's belief that the state's gasoline tax is becoming inadequate and obsolete, because of vehicles' improved gas mileage and the use of alternative fuels, and should be eliminated. The panel wants the state Department of Transportation to initiate a study to determine whether an option such as a fee based on miles traveled would be a better revenue-raiser.

Under the commission's proposal, the annual vehicle registration fee, which hasn't been raised since 1997, would increase to $49 from $36.

Among the streamlining that the commission advocates is registration of vehicles every two years, instead of annually, permitting online renewals, and changing driver's license renewals to every eight years instead of every four.

For lawmakers, the commission's recommendations provide a lengthy agenda. At stake will be if and when the foundation for additional money for highways and transit will be in place.

The commission views its proposal as a path to better roads and bridges — and at least a partial solution to the funding constraints that have dogged mass transit for decades.

Again, the commission isn't likely to see all of its proposals implemented — at least, not to the degree that it advocates. However, the commission's plan is solid and reasonable on most fronts, with one of the exceptions possibly being the fee suggestion revolving around ending the gasoline tax.

Regardless of the outcome of the Legislature's coming work, the commission deserves praise for its effort. The panel needs to spread the word about the benefits to be derived from its suggestions, as well as what's at stake if its proposals end up on some dusty shelf.

The proposals will test lawmakers' willingness to make potentially tough decisions with an election year looming in less than six months.