Number of Days Gov Tom Corbett still has no Transportation Plan....

[mixiboi]

... 400 (See down thread for updated days since 400.)

Last year, Corbett did not mention the dire need for transportation funding. This year, he acknowledged it, but only to say the problem was too massive to be a budget topic. He is right, it is a huge issue, but seven months after a special committee finished its work and provided him with recommendations on how to raise funding for transportation we still await his plan for our crumbling roads and bridges.

We can’t allow our transportation woes to go unattended any longer, and judging by the applause his comments on transportation received from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, they also should be eager to find a solution.

No guidance on transportation from Corbett

Corbett: Budget can't fix transportation problems - Philly.com

Pennsylvania has more structurally deficient bridges than any other state - more than 5,000.

But Corbett reduced transportation funding by about 9 percent in the budget he proposed Tuesday: $5.86 billion, down from $6.43 billion this year.

"It is critical that we address our transportation issues," Corbett said in his budget address. "This is not a budget item. It is too large for that.

SEPTA will get about $300 million for its capital budget to pay for such things as new vehicles and station improvements. That is the same as this year and down 25 percent from three years ago.

SEPTA will once again put off construction projects, such as the renovation of the City Hall subway concourse, for lack of money.

"Funding constraints are threatening SEPTA's ability to serve its growing customer base," the agency said in a statement Tuesday. "More than $600 million in critical upgrades, from bridge repairs to overhauls of aging electrical substations and renovations of outdated facilities...have been deferred indefinitely.

Corbett defends his proposed $27 billion budget

When he unveiled his budget proposal, Mr. Corbett said transportation funding was "not a budget item." He said transportation is too large and must be handled as its own separate topic. On Friday, he provided no solutions or details about possible answers to the Port Authority's funding crisis beyond saying he has "had some preliminary discussions behind the scenes" with legislators.

But he added that the transportation funding issue is not a crisis that originated on his watch.

"We didn't just get here. It didn't just happen," he said.

We don't want excuses, Mr Corbett, we want a solution.

[Nytecat]

This absolutely sucks. A number of badly needed projects are languishing statewide while Harrisburg fiddles. Some of them are do or die opportunities like expansions for SEPTA and Port Authority park and rides. If public agencies don't buy the needed properties now, they will be developed as something else and we'll have one less tool with which to increase ridership.

[mixiboi]

Yeah, SEPTA had to take out an $100 million dollar loan to cover construction things including the New Payment Technology because Pa is taking it sweet time to figure out a new plan since Rendell's plan failed.


That will come back sooner or later to bit SEPTA(and us) in the end if PA doesn't get its act together.

[mixiboi]

400 days and this man only has jokes: Corbett: Gripes about transportation funding 'ballsy' - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gov. Tom Corbett defended his $27.1 billion budget proposal on Friday, calling Democrats who criticized him for not boosting transportation funding "ballsy"

Democrats didn't fix what has been called a transportation funding crisis when they controlled the House and had Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, in the governor's mansion, Corbett said. A special legislative session on transportation that was called during Rendell's last year in office produced no results, he said.

"For them to call on me and say, 'We need to fix this problem in the first 14, 13 months you're in office,' ... It's ballsy," Corbett said during a news conference at Calgon Carbon Corp. in Findlay, adding that efforts to close a $4.2 billion budget deficit last year dominated the early part of his first year in office.

Sen. Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills, the Senate minority leader, blamed Republicans for torpedoing efforts near the end of Rendell's tenure to dedicate funding for transportation. He said there is bipartisan support now to get something done, but the governor has dragged his feet.

Corbett said Pennsylvania's transportation problems "didn't just get here."

Among problems, 23 percent of all state and locally owned bridges are structurally deficient, while 20 percent of Pennsylvania's state-maintained roads are in poor condition. Transit agencies face budget crunches, including Port Authority of Allegheny County, which receives most of its operational funding from Harrisburg and is considering a 35 percent service cut to help close a $64 million deficit.

Corbett's proposed transportation budget totals $5.67 billion, down 9 percent from this fiscal year. A commission Corbett appointed last year recommended ways to generate an added $2.7 billion annually for transportation within five years, but the governor has yet to offer legislative proposals.

Corbett said tough work lies ahead. The key question, he said, is, "Where is the Legislature going to be, particularly in an election year, when it comes time to make some very tough decisions?"

Rep. Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, the House minority leader, said in a letter to all House members that he plans to "highlight Gov. Corbett's inaction" by introducing legislation to rename PennDOT the "Department of Deferred Maintenance."

[mixiboi]

402 days...

But he has time to help out the poor freight train and airline industry: HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 23, 2012: Governor Corbett Announces State Investment in 16 Rail Projects | PRNewswire | Bradenton Herald Today

A $23 million state investment will fund 16 freight-rail improvement projects statewide, Governor Tom Corbett said today.

"Pennsylvania has a robust freight rail system that helps connect communities and businesses with wider transportation options," Governor Corbett said. "These investments will help businesses expand and improve their operations, paying dividends through economic activity."

The grants are distributed through the Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program, which is funded through state capital bond dollars in the General Fund budget. The grants leverage $10 million in local investments. Authorized by the General Assembly, the grants are administered by PennDOT's Bureau of Rail Freight, Ports and Waterways.


Read more here: HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 23, 2012: Governor Corbett Announces State Investment in 16 Rail Projects | PRNewswire | Bradenton Herald Today

Franklin Storage receives $600,000 rail grant - Chambersburg Public Opinion

A Chambersburg area warehouse was awarded a $600,000 grant to improve its freight rail access.

Franklin Storage LP received one of 16 grants that were announced this week by PennDOT and the governor's office.

PennDOT spokeswoman Erin Waters said the Guilford Township facility will construct more than 2,000 feet in new rail track and add a new turn-out and switch. There will be an asphalt loading pad adjacent to both tracks.

Waters said some of the grant money will be used for engineering and consulting services.

A company spokesperson could not be reached.

Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Announces Upgrades, Safety Enhancements at Nine Airports - MarketWatch

A $10 million state investment will fund important projects at nine airports across Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Corbett said today.

"Thousands of people rely on the aviation industry for jobs," Governor Corbett said. "These funds will help ensure that the airports continue to run safely and can meet the demands of their regional economies."

You know what millions of people rely on for jobs, Tom? Public transportation. I hope you remember that...

[mixiboi]

404 days....

And love this:

http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/fo...dizes-who.html

[Debbie1125]

As much as Rendell was a big spender, I would rather have him back as governor. At least he was doing his best to find a dedicated funding source for mass transit.

Corbett doesn't seem to give a damn.

[mixiboi]

416 days


Metro - Big delays expected on SEPTA

While acknowledging that additional funding for highways, bridges and mass transit is vital, Gov. Tom Corbett has yet to give a timetable for addressing the issue.

In his budget address last month, Corbett stated, “Transportation must be confronted as its own distinct and separate topic.”

Sen. Mike Stack, of Philadelphia, said he worries that the governor’s timing may be too late.

“We are waiting for the governor to show leadership, to unveil a plan that can help us move the issue forward. Unfortunately, he continues to remain silent,” Stack said.

He added: “He may only act after he hears the rescue sirens responding to a bridge collapse.”

[eldondre]

capital budget
Federal $175.6M (57.9%)
State $122.4M (40.4%)
Local $5.2M (1.7%)
http://www.septa.org/reports/pdf/bud...posal-cb13.pdf
I have to say, the local match is ridiculously low. if the same requirement existed for capital as does operating (15%), septa would have an additional $45 million in capital, not enough, but not an insignificant sum.

[BarryG]

capital budget
Federal $175.6M (57.9%)
State $122.4M (40.4%)
Local $5.2M (1.7%)
http://www.septa.org/reports/pdf/bud...posal-cb13.pdf
I have to say, the local match is ridiculously low. if the same requirement existed for capital as does operating (15%), septa would have an additional $45 million in capital, not enough, but not an insignificant sum.

If SEPTA bought the subway from the city, we could afford a more generous local match.

[eldondre]

If SEPTA bought the subway from the city, we could afford a more generous local match.

seems a bit backwards. who funds the improvements to the city owned subway? septa is refurbishing the city owned cars, they used ARRA money for spring garden and girard. where is all this money that the city is supposedly giving up? maybe they should sell the subway to the highest bidder, I'm curious how much it's worth to an operator. I don't buy the logic that not charging for the use of a public asset is somehow a contribution. maybe I can stop paying my rent and tell my landlord that by living in his place, he's really earning money since it would be a lot more rundown if it were empty. I think the ridiculously low match is indicative of how much commitment the localities actually have to transit outside of lip service. hell goode is already whining about the...gasp...15% match for operating.

[mixiboi]

428 DAYS....

Metro - SEPTA now expects to deal with deficit in 2013

We're a year away from having to start working on that budget," said Chief Financial Officer Richard Burnfield. "We're hoping that something happens in Harrisburg also. There's a lot of that can happen between now and next year when we have to roll out an operating budget."

SEPTA's eye on Harrisburg has to do with the possibility of additional funding for the commonwealth's roads, bridges and public transit. Gov. Tom Corbett has yet to act on recommendations from his Transportation Funding Advisory Commission, which delivered a plan last August to generate $2.5 billion annually for infrastructure and mass transit.

[eldondre]

$130 million to get rid of tokens....

[mixiboi]

442 Days

In 2011, SEPTA operated the City-owned assets at a $144.3 million deficit, in terms of money it made back from passenger revenue. It operated its own assets at a deficit of $341.3 million. In total, there was a gap of nearly $700 million between SEPTA’s total operating cost and its passenger revenue. Almost 80 percent of that gap was made up for by the state, with federal and Philadelphia subsidies of just under ten percent each. The surrounding counties subsidized 2.5 percent of the deficit.

SEPTA updates City Council on lease negotiations | PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

[mixiboi]

473 DAYS.....

And the clock keeps ticking away...till something goes boom:

FOX Exclusive: What's Holding This Bridge Up?

[Brian616]

In all fairness, he also doesn't have a plan for many, many other things. Could PA finally see a one-term governor? If the Dems can get a strong candidate, it could be a close race.

[seand]

In all fairness, he also doesn't have a plan for many, many other things. Could PA finally see a one-term governor? If the Dems can get a strong candidate, it could be a close race.

Well the gas lobby hasn't written those other plans for him. What do you expect?

[Nexis4Jersey]

Hows the state of PA? , it seems to be slipping in my opinion....maybe thats just me.....

[eldondre]

Hows the state of PA? , it seems to be slipping in my opinion....maybe thats just me.....

and yet the weakest part of the metro is in NJ..

[Naveen]

Could the privatizing of the PCLB stores raise enough money for transportation? That seems to be one of the other glaring omissions from Corbett's agenda.