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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Dan Frankel |
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Frankel, Fitzgerald: Corbett leadership needed now to prevent transit cuts, damage to region's economy
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 19 – House Democratic Caucus Chairman Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald today called on Gov. Tom Corbett to show leadership on transportation funding soon to avoid damage to western Pennsylvania's economy.
"We have to be able to move people, goods and services or our economy will suffer. Allegheny County is the economic engine of western Pennsylvania, but the fragile recovery could run out of gas soon if we don't update transportation funding to keep up with factors such as inflation and construction costs. Democrats and some Republicans in the legislature agree – we need action. We need Governor Corbett to lead by telling us what he is willing to sign," Frankel said.
Fitzgerald said, "The proposed cuts announced by the Port Authority will have a significant impact on our county’s residents and businesses, as well as our region’s economy. Solving this funding issue will require action at the local and state level and I am already taking steps to bring everyone to the table.
"Everyone needs to come to the table and work together to address this issue and provide real solutions for transit. I’m committed to doing my part to make that happen and to move this discussion forward by working with the labor and management to find cost efficiencies, to partner with the Allegheny County delegation in the House and Senate to address and advocate for legislative changes that could also impact the bottom line, like Rep. Frankel’s bill. There can be real change if everyone is at the same table working together."
Frankel said, "The Port Authority has already made one round of drastic cuts. Our area cannot realistically absorb another, and we don't have to."
Earlier this month, Frankel introduced a bill (H.B. 2112) that would provide money from the Pennsylvania Turnpike for mass transit. His bill is part of a package that largely resembles legislation introduced by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman, R-Centre. The Republican legislation was based on the recommendation of Corbett's own Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, which issued its report five months ago.
State Rep. Paul Costa, chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Delegation in the House, said, "This recent round of Port Authority route cuts are just another reason why we have to take a serious look at transportation funding in Pennsylvania. When Governor Rendell was in office, he approved $46 million to be used to help avert a crisis. But that was only a band-aid, not a permanent fix. The longer we go without addressing the issue in a very serious manner, the worse things will get and people won’t be able to get to their jobs, to go look for jobs, to get to their daily appointments, shopping, the doctor, etc. We need to do something now, and that means everyone working together toward a solution."
Information about the new round of Port Authority service cuts is available at http://www.portauthority.org.
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