On Thursday February 28, 2013 ten state representative from across Pennsylvania held a hearing at the America On Wheels Museum in Allentown. The purpose of the hearing was to gather public input concerning the Governor’s proposed transportation funding plan and needs of our state’s citizens. Pete Terry presented the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Funding Policy. Representatives from PennDOT, LANta, and other interested groups also provided testimony.
The Chamber’s policy recognizes the importance of bridges, roads, public transportation, airports, and rail freight to the economic viability and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley. The policy supports transportation infrastructure with the following points:
Promote Efficiency in Transportation Projects
Promote The Setting Of An Appropriate Prevailing Wage
Wider Use Of Tolling In New And Existing Public Highways
The Creation Of Dedicated Funding For the State Police
Private-Public-Partnerships (P3)
Gradual Adjustment The Cap On The Oil Franchise Tax (OCFT)
Implement Inflation Based Increases In Fuel & User Fees
The full policy is available at: http://www.lehighvalleychamber.org/chamber-information/transportation-committee.aspx
From the discussion following the presentations it was clear that there is an understanding that the Governors proposed $1.8 B funding program will have a significant impact on improving our infrastructure but will fall well short of the needs which have been identified.
A link to the Easton Express news article on the hearing is below.
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2013/02/greater_lehigh_valley_chamber_2.html
