WHEREAS, According to the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee's 2010 Transportation Funding Study, the Commonwealth faces a $3.5 billion funding gap in its transportation needs. This gap is expected to total $7.2 billion in the next decade; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's transportation services and infrastructure are in serious need of improvement. According to the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee, [y]ear after year, there are more infrastructure and service deficiencies than money to address them. The significant backlog of critical projects hinders the state's economic competitiveness and takes a toll on our people, businesses, and environment; and
WHEREAS, The Governor's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission (TFAC) was established by Governor Tom Corbett in 2011 and charged with finding solutions to the funding challenges facing the Commonwealth's transportation system; and
WHEREAS, TFAC examined the issue and published a report in August 2011 which identified cost-saving measures and possible revenue sources to address the current transportation funding challenge so that Pennsylvania can adequately ensure the quality of Pennsylvania's highways, bridges, transit systems, ports and other transportation facilities; and
WHEREAS, TFAC outlined several cost-saving modernization options designed to allow the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to save money while providing quality services. The report detailed measures such as streamlining vehicle registration, inspection, and driver's license procedures; and
WHEREAS, TFAC also formulated ideas to save money and raise revenue through innovations in traffic control, enforcement, safety, interagency coordination, and project management. The report also discussed the advantages of exploring the use of alternative fuels for state-owned vehicles; and
WHEREAS, These cost-saving measures and potential revenue sources could help pay for much needed transportation improvements such as repairing bridges, improving roadways, and upgrading railways, airports and ports. In 2010, Pennsylvania ranked first in the United States for the number of bridges designated as structurally deficient; and
WHEREAS, Without sufficient funding, Pennsylvania's already aging infrastructure will fall into disrepair and services will decline. Neglected transportation and infrastructure could cause safety concerns, hinder economic growth, reduce reliability in transit systems, and impact the environment; now therefore,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the City Council of the City of Philadelphia hereby urges Governor Corbett to take action to address Pennsylvania's transportation funding needs by implementing the cost-saving and revenue producing provisions outlined in the Governor's Transportation Funding Advisory Commission Report of 2011.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Tom Corbett as evidence of the grave concern of this legislative body.
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