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Governor's Race
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Democratic Candidate Jack Wagner Proposes Infrastructure Reform Proposal

Auditor General Jack Wagner, Democratic candidate for Governor, this week released a plan to improve Pennsylvania's infrastructure, including transportation, broadband, alternative energy, trails and water systems.

           Wagner noted a 2006 Report Card by the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the Commonwealth a cumulative "D" grade.
            "With Pennsylvania continuing to experience job losses, state government must focus on putting our citizens back to work," Wagner said. "The Commonwealth's infrastructure has fallen behind; however, this provides a magnificent opportunity to employee Pennsylvanians in rebuilding the 'Keystone State.'" Smart public investment in infrastructure can create tens of thousands of jobs. We must make sure we pick the right projects and use the available resources wisely."
            Among the items included in the infrastructure proposal are these:
-- Build effective high-speed rail systems that connect Pennsylvania cities to each other and surrounding cities such as New York, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland;
-- Make the Pennsylvania Turnpike a model national superhighway and the first multi-fuel (natural gas, electric, gasoline, and diesel) road in the nation. I will ask Governors Christie (New Jersey) and Strickland (Ohio) to join Pennsylvania in that effort;
-- Convene a blue ribbon committee to offer realistic solutions to the bottlenecks throughout Pennsylvania including the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia and the Parkway East in Pittsburgh.
-- Fix the hundreds of high-hazard Pennsylvania dams;
-- Convert state government fleet vehicles, school buses, and mass transit buses to be powered by compressed natural gas and/or electric;
-- Consolidate water systems by tying city systems into surrounding communities and maximizing their output rather than building new systems and prioritize separation of ground water, waste water, and run off through incentives;
-- Advocate for Rails-to-Trails to create greater opportunities for walkers, runners, and bicycle enthusiasts;
-- Ensure that fair portions of Marcellus Shale revenue go toward water treatment and road repair; and
-- Invest in mass transit projects that make sense.
            Visit Wagner's campaign website to learn more.

 


4/12/2010

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