|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Joseph Markosek |
  
|
House Transportation Committee Chairman Markosek to speak on Act 44
CLARION, Dec. 4 – House Transportation Committee Chairman Joseph Markosek, D-Allegheny/Westmoreland, will present an overview Friday of Pennsylvania's landmark 2007 transportation law, Act 44, at a Transportation Funding Symposium, "Alternative to Funding Transportation in Pennsylvania."
The symposium is being held by the Clarion County Economic Development Corporation and the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry.
"I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the nuts and bolts of Act 44 and
why I believe it is an innovative and responsible transportation funding plan
for Pennsylvania," Markosek said. "Act 44 represents a clear
long-range solution to our massive transportation funding crisis, all without
raising taxes or relinquishing control of a valuable state asset.
"It will generate $2.5 billion in new transportation funding in a three-year period without I-80 tolls. Already, the law has provided $1.175 billion. I think most people would be surprised to learn the measure has already generated such a substantial amount of revenue for infrastructure improvements."
The symposium will include a presentation on three transportation funding solutions for Pennsylvania, along with a question-and-answer session afterward.
In addition to Markosek's presentation on Act 44, the symposium will include remarks from John Durbin, of Durbin Associates and Pennsylvania Transportation Partners, on leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Michael P. Joyce, owner and operator of the Independent Drivers Association, will speak about increasing the gas tax.
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will deliver a presentation on the Pennsylvania Transportation Funding and Reform Commission report. Other elected officials, including U.S. Rep. John Peterson, state Sen. Mary Jo White, and U.S. Rep.-elect Glenn Thompson, are expected to attend.
In 2006, the Transportation Funding and Reform Commission released a comprehensive report detailing Pennsylvania's highway, bridge and transit funding crisis. Last year, the legislature enacted a transportation plan, now Act 44, which authorizes a 50-year partnership between the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
###ac/2008/bfg l:'print'releases'
alt funding symposium.025
|