Governor makes little mention of transit
Share with others:
Gov. Tom Corbett had very little to say about transportation in his budget message on Tuesday, dashing expectations that he would put forth a specific plan for raising money to improve roads and bridges and rescue ailing public transit systems, including the Port Authority of Allegheny County.
"This is not a budget item. It is too large for that. Transportation must be confronted as its own distinct and separate topic," Mr. Corbett said. "This problem has grown for the past several decades, and it will not be solved overnight. But, whatever solution we enact must be a lasting one.
"I have spent significant time considering this issue with my transportation team and developed some workable solutions. However, those solutions will only be possible with your input, assistance and support," he told legislators. "I look forward to working with you."
The governor's office did not respond to inquiries seeking details about the "workable solutions."
Some Democratic lawmakers assailed the lack of detail, but others who watched the speech said they were happy to hear Mr. Corbett call for a lasting solution to the state's long-standing transportation funding problems.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald interpreted the governor's remarks as an endorsement of the revenue-raising recommendations of his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission. Empaneled by Mr. Corbett last year, it called for lifting an artificial cap on the wholesale gasoline tax and adjusting some fees for inflation that has occurred since they were last raised.
"We're encouraged that the governor was so forceful in stating that a lasting solution to the transportation funding crisis is a top priority," said Ken Zapinski, a senior vice president of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, which has advocated increased transportation investment.
First Published February 8, 2012 12:00 am
