|
|
|
| From our President |
|
Dear Friends:
Have you noticed that stories on the state of transportation, not only in Pennsylvania but nationally, are cropping up in the daily news more often? The National Association of Governors recently met in Washington D.C., and discussed infrastructure and transportation funding issues at length. In addition, the governors met with President Bush to ask for another economic stimulus plan with a focus on infrastructure funding from the federal government. At 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania, we think the discussion is long overdue because infrastructure is a crucial determinant of how we grow and develop as a state. ... MORE
Judy Schwank
President and CEO | |
| Our Transportation Messages |
|
Pennsylvania Newsmakers
Pennsylvania Newsmakers host Terry Madonna asked Judy Schwank, and Bob Latham, Exec. VP of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors, to discuss the funding of roads, bridges and mass transit in the state. Watch their segment here. (Note that their segment is in the second half of the streamed program.)
Testimony Delivered to Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
On January 28, 10,000 Friends presented testimony to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission regarding proposed amendments to the 2035 Transportation and Development Plan. We presented three policy principles that we believe have application throughout the state:
1. Fix it first, by investing in maintenance and reconstruction before building new;
2. Adequately and sustainably fund our public transportation systems; and
3. Strongly link land use and transportation funding.
We see these principles as helping to provide clarity in a time of increasing scrutiny over diminishing resources, increasing energy and material costs, and a growing reliance on local government to find financial support to rebuild deteriorating infrastructure.
And then we asked the commission to consider three questions prior to voting on the amendments ... MORE |
| Transportation Funding Update |
 With the enactment of Act 44, Governor Rendell presented his 2008-09 budget, reflecting the provisions of the Act to provide funding for highways, bridges and public transportation.
However, more than 5,900 state-owned bridges are structurally deficient, so the Governor's budget proposed $200 million per year for the next 10 years to repair bridges. With an infusion of $15.5 billion, 1,000 bridges will be repaired in the next three years and, over the next 10 years, the number of structurally deficient bridges will be cut by 40%. For more information about the Governor's "Rebuilding Pennsylvania" proposal, click here. |
| On the National Transportation Front |
Clogged Arteries
In this essay in the March 2008 issue of The Atlantic, Bruce Katz and Robert Puentes, of the Brooking Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program, explain why America's aging and congested road, rail, and air networks are threatening our economic health.
 They write: "The nation's 100 largest metropolitan regions generate 75 percent of its economic output. They also handle 75 percent of its foreign sea cargo, 79 percent of its air cargo, and 92 percent of its air-passenger traffic. Yet of the 6,373 earmarked projects that dominate the current federal transportation law, only half are targeted at these metro areas." For the rest of the essay, click here.
Working on the Railroads
The Wall Street Journal provides a great read with interactive graphics on the new era in rail building across the country. Of relevance to Pennsylvania: Norfolk Southern's most ambitious project, the Crescent Corridor, a network of tracks between the New York City area and New Orleans. The company touts the corridor as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to widening highways such as Interstate 81. To read the article, click here.
Cities as Alternative to Cars
Business Week wonders if the best car-related innovation we have is not to improve the car but to eliminate the need to drive it everywhere we go. For their take on the recent study, Growing Cooler, published by Smart Growth America, click here. The study notes that if 60% of new developments were even modestly more compact, we'd emit 85 million fewer metric tons of tailpipe carbon dioxide each year by 2030 - as much as would be saved by raising the national mileage standards to 32 mpg. For a direct link to the study, click here. |
| Stay Connected |
We update our site regularly with articles, opportunities and links, so please bookmark the home page of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and stop by often. To find your legislator and get copies of introduced legislation, visit the State General Assembly website. 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 has produced a pocket-sized guide to our state leaders. If you need the 2007-08 Legislative Directory, please contact us at 10,000 Friends.
Our e-newsletters are 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. |
| 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. | |
