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Governor's Transportation Report: No Progress

http://2cccd5dfe1965e26adf6-26c50ce30a6867b5a67335a93e186605.r53.cf1.rackcdn.com/TFAC Wrap_Emily Farah_SOC.mp3

Last year, the Corbett administration's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission (TFAC) reported the state's transportation systems are underfunded and out of date.

But one year later, nothing has been done to address transportation infrastructure.

Chairman of the state's House Appropriations Committee, Joe Markosek, said the report highlighted many needs in various aspects of the the state's infrastructure.

"We have a growing need for additional funds for our transportation infrastructure in Pennsylvania which includes roads, bridges, rail, certainly locks and dams, and those kinds of things as well."  Markosek said.

Markosek added mass transit is also in need of rethinking in the commonwealth, and the only thing causing inaction on the commission's recommendations is Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett.

"The one person holding the whole thing up has been the Governor," Markosek said.  "I'm not sure what his reasons are, but whatever they are they're hurting Pennsylvania and just simply cannot go on with this any longer."

Markosek said he can't think of any other factor or person halting action on the Commission's report.  He added a change in the state's transportation infrastructure has bi-partisan support and both parties have proposed legislation for funding and transportation logistics.

"It's just the Governor that's standing in the way," Markosek said.

Markosek stressed an overhaul of transportation infrastructure in the state would also create jobs.

"We have so much work out there, and we certainly can't get it all done in a few years," Markosek said.  "It's going to take years and years and years but we can start putting people back to work."

The TFAC report recommended generating 2.5 billion for infrastructure repair over a five year.  Recommendations to fund the infrastructure changes included nixing the cap on the Oil Company Franchise Tax and raising fees on drivers' licenses and vehicle registrations.