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| Greetings! |
 The state legislature is in its final weeks before summer recess. The most pressing deadline is the state budget, due to be signed into law on July 1. At 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, we think the most critical policy issue is transportation funding and reform, and we strongly believe that it should be part of the budget negotiations. After you read our alert, would you please take action? |
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| Your Action Needed on Transportation Crisis |
 As the July 1 state budget deadline looms, it is important to encourage your state legislators to fix the way transportation investments are made in Pennsylvania. It's one of the most important decisions facing our lawmakers, and should be included in the budget negotiations of the next few weeks.
Please urge your legislators to:
-- Create a stable program that includes prudent funding and strategic management of the system as a whole. Time is running out to address our transportation system before communities throughout the state suffer economic impacts. With a shortfall to maintain what we have, let alone build new capacity, we are at a crisis. State-owned roads and bridges aren't the only issue; the same financial and maintenance pressures exist for municipality-owned roads and bridges. The solution must reach all of our governmental levels.
-- "Fix it First" to invest in our existing communities. 10,000 Friends believes in a "fix-it-first" policy, building on the Governor's Keystone Principles for Growth, Investment and Resource Conservation.
-- Support our public transit authorities. Transit systems serve citizens of every county, and are essential to the solution. Transit needs a stable, dedicated source of funding. With gas prices increasing, transit choices are more important than ever before.
-- Link our land use and transportation funding. We must tie infrastructure decisions to land use, and give local governments the tools they need to help raise revenues locally.
The bipartisan Transportation and Funding Reform Commission issued its final report last November, and recommended the financial need as $900 million in additional funding for highways and bridges, and $760 million in targeted public transit funding. We agree with state Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler when he said, "No new revenue without reforms," in releasing the report. "Our highways and bridges and public transit systems are critical to the economic well-being and success of our businesses and communities."
We urge you to tell your legislators that you support one of the commission's guiding principles: "Transportation must be integrated with land use, economic development and environmental policies, programs and goals." The commission recommends linking land use and transportation through incentive-based funding, "smart transportation" design practices, and preconditioning major capacity improvements on a community land use/transportation vision that provides sustainable investments. Please encourage your legislator to take this comprehensive approach. For more information, visit our transportation web page. |
| Help Farmers Clean Up Pennsylvania Rivers |
 Legislators are considering the Resource Enhancement and Protection Act (REAP), a bill that has the dual benefits of improving and protecting Pennsylvania's natural resources while keeping Pennsylvania's agriculture competitive. Please send a note to your representative and your senator to express your support for House Bill 100 and Senate Bill 690.
The centerpiece of the REAP program - transferable tax credits for conservation - will provide critical resources to agricultural producers who are good stewards and want to do more to protect our streams and water supplies. In the face of stagnant commodity prices and rising production costs, many farmers find it difficult at best to implement new conservation measures without such assistance. Helping farmers prevent agricultural runoff is cost-effective public policy, because it saves money on drinking water treatment costs and enhances recreational and tourism assets. 10,000 Friends believes that farmland preservation depends on healthy and profitable farms. REAP is a tool that will help farmers protect water resources without jeopardizing their bottom line.
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| 2007-08 Legislative Directories Now Available |
| You possess one of the most important and effective tools in helping our state legislators understand the issues that are critical to Pennsylvania's future. That tool is your voice. Now 10,000 Friends can provide you with one more important tool - our 2007-08 Legislative Directory. This pocket-sized guide will provide you with all of the information you need to call, e-mail or visit your state leaders about the issues that are important to you and your community. To request your copy, please contact Michelle Last in our Philadelphia office or Andrea McCormick in our Harrisburg office. |
| PA Update "Committing to Prosperity" Now Available |
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| Wanted: Regional Field Organizer |
 We have friends all over the state - from Erie to Wilkes-Barre, Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, and Williamsport to Harrisburg. Do you want to work with us to stay in touch with our many friends and partners around the state? If so, be sure to see our job description for the Regional Field Organizer. ... MORE |
| Stay Connected |
| We have three other e-newsletters designed to keep you in the loop on all of our activities. Click Join Our Mailing List! in the top left column to choose the e-newsletters you'd like to receive.
As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information. |
| 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania |
| 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders. Visit our website.
The Campaign to Renew Pennsylvania (RenewPA) is an initiative of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. RenewPA is dedicated to building partnerships and coalitions to improve the competitiveness of our regional economies, and the health and quality of life of our communities. Visit our website to learn more. | |
