Presenter
Presented by Mr. Peduto
Body
WHEREAS, in order to reduce air pollution, congestion on our streets and highways, promote investment in our neighborhoods, and provide affordable and reliable transportation to our residents and employees of our local businesses, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh strongly supports the broadest use of public transportation; and
WHEREAS, the Port Authority of Allegheny County has a $20 million revenue shortfall in the current fiscal year 2004-2005 budget and an expected shortfall of $35 million in the proposed fiscal 2005-2006 budget; and
WHEREAS, as a result of the revenue shortfall the Port Authority of Allegheny County is planning to initiate significant fare increases, layoffs of hundreds of employees, and cuts in service that will have a considerable negative impact on residents and businesses of the City, County, and the Southwestern Pennsylvania region; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Pittsburgh has and continues to recommend that the Governor of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania General Assembly establish a stable, predictable, and dedicated source of funding for public transportation; and
WHEREAS, Governor Rendell recently proposed a transportation funding plan that would make $412 million available for Pennsylvania's public transportation agencies, including the Port Authority of Allegheny County and the other Southwestern Pennsylvania public transportation systems that serve the City of Pittsburgh, over the next two years; and
WHEREAS, the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission's (SPC) approval of Governor Rendell's plan is required to immediately make available $25.3 million to the Port Authority of Allegheny County to avert the impending layoffs, service cuts, and fare increases.
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh expresses its support for Governor Rendell's plan and urges the SPC to vote in favor of using "flex" funds that will allow the Port Authority of Allegheny County to prevent layoffs, service cuts, and fare increases.
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