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| From Our President |
We have been hearing the term "earmark" quite a bit lately. Generally, the discussion centers on reining in federal spending for frivolous projects. But I learned something about the federal budget recently that I never knew. The federal government has no capital spending plan.
By contrast, local, county and state government budgets are prepared annually with funding for major capital expenditures like building new office space, replacing heating and air conditioning units, or repairing bridges and roads. Now, more than ever, we need a new vision for how we allocate tax dollars for transportation. ...More | |
Transportation Planning In Our Changing World
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) defines smart transportation as "partnering to build great communities for future generations of Pennsylvanians by linking transportation investments with land use planning and decision-making." That's a philosophy that 10,000 Friends has been advocating for years, and we're excited about a bold initiative that PennDOT is launching to plan for transportation in our changing world.
By recognizing the influence of transportation on existing and future land use and the character of communities, PennDOT is taking steps to ensure that Pennsylvania's communities are desirable places to live and work. Because PennDOT cannot make many land use decision on its own, the agency is committed to developing local governments as strong land use partners.
10,000 Friends played an integral role in the development of one part of the Smart Transportation Initiative -- Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative (PCTI). This program is PennDOT's plan to implement smart transportation through a new funding stream for programs that meet the PCTI guidelines. Between now and December 15, PennDOT is accepting applications for projects that demonstrate smart transportation principles. PCTI projects should aim to achieve the following goals:- support local development projects and encourage walkable, mixed use developments;
- enhance and utilizing the existing transportation network infrastructure; and
- improve regional connectivity and support transit oriented and brownfield developments.
Take the time to visit PennDOT's Smart Transportation website. Besides finding the PCTI application, you'll find plenty of valuable resources, case studies, and ways for all of us to play our part in transportation planning in our changing world.
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Pennsylvania Loses a Friend
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 We at 10,000 Friends join with all Pennsylvanians in mourning the loss of Senator James Rhoades of Schuylkill County who died in a car accident on October 18. Senator Rhoades was a strong supporter of community revitalization both in his district and throughout the state. By introducing legislation to eliminate blight, Senator Rhoades showed a commitment to giving municipalities the tool they need to maintain clean, safe neighborhoods. This legislation is supported by a strong coalition including 10,000 Friends. We valued Senator Rhoades leadership in the Senate on these important issues, and we will miss his dedication to all of Pennsylvania.
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Transportation Initiatives Around The State
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As the transportation funding crisis in Pennsylvania approaches gridlock in southeastern Pennsylvania, Montgomery County is proposing a creative solution to supplement federal and state transportation funding projects - developing a county fund to provide "local funding for local projects."  On October 3, 270 elected officials and other regional stakeholders gathered to discuss the merits of creating a county-wide transportation fund. The group supported the idea, admitting that something had to be done to move projects important to local communities forward. Click here to read more about the idea and the forum. At the other end of the state, the Pittsburgh Port Authority is looking to reshape public transportation in the region. The Port Authority is in the midst of an 18-month initiative it calls "Connect '09," developed to connect the region, its neighborhoods and resources, and Port Authority customers and employees. One of the anticipated outcomes is the creation of a Transit Development Plan based on public input. Visit the Connect '09 website for additional information about how to add your voice to the plan.
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| Good Reading |
You may recall the Intergovernmental Cooperation Success Stories wiki we featured in last month's e-update. However, the Local Government Academy is not the only organization in the state to experiment with this promising new technology.
The
Pittsburgh CitiWiki Project is an effort to create a strategic transportation vision
for the Pittsburgh region. While numerous plans and transportation projects currently
exist in the region, this wiki is enabling many interested parties to join together in the creation of an integrated transportation
vision for the entire region. If you have something to add to this vision, register an account and start contributing! To learn more about the project, be sure to read this article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. |
Stay Connected
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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.
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. | |
