GOP lawmaker drafts funding plan to fix Pa.'s roads, bridges
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HARRISBURG -- A key Republican lawmaker is trying to jump-start discussions about funding improvements to Pennsylvania's crumbling roads and bridges and ailing public transit systems.
Sen. Jake Corman, R-Centre, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday that he would introduce a package of legislation that adopts the recommendations of a commission empaneled by Gov. Tom Corbett. They include higher registration and license fees and lifting a cap on the wholesale gasoline tax.
The governor's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission delivered its report to Mr. Corbett on Aug. 1. Since then, the governor has said little, other than that he is reviewing the matter.
"The governor appreciates the fact that Senator Corman is focusing on the infrastructure needs of the commonwealth," spokesman Kevin Harley said. "The challenge is how we pay for our aging infrastructure in these challenging economic times."
He said Mr. Corbett would voice his intentions about transportation funding "in the very near future."
Legislative leaders say nothing will happen without upfront support from the governor. "It's hard to get members to vote for something he doesn't want," Mr. Corman said.
"The governor put together a commission, and it put forth recommendations and then everything just stopped," said Rep. Rick Geist, R-Blair, chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Mr. Geist said he supports the funding measures and may introduce similar legislation in the House.
"The evidence is very clear that we have a transportation infrastructure problem in Pennsylvania," Mr. Corman said, citing 8,000 miles of poor roads, 5,000 structurally deficient bridges, 650 weight-restricted spans and another 50 that have closed altogether. "To my knowledge, no one's disputed that we have this problem. How we go about fixing that problem is the issue of the day."
Mr. Corman said numerous business and industry groups -- including the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and trucking companies -- have "listed this as a top priority."
First Published October 20, 2011 12:00 am
