CAWP Legislative News 5-10

Outlook for the Pennsylvania’s Governors Race

General Election
The Pennsylvania gubernatorial election of 2010 will be held on November 2. The winning candidate will serve a four-year term from 2011 to 2015.

There will be no incumbent running. Incumbent Democratic Governor Ed Rendell is prohibited from seeking a third term under Pennsylvania's existing state law which limits governors to two consecutive four-year terms.

Primary Election
Before the general election, the Republican Party and Democratic Party must first select a candidate through a primary election. This will occur on May 18, 2010.

The Candidates
There are currently four Democrat and two Republican candidates running for governor. The following provides information on those candidates, including links to their websites and the candidates’ responses to a survey conducted by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. One of those questions asked each candidate to describe their transportation plan for Pennsylvania.

Democrat Candidates

Joe Hoeffel
Current Position: Montgomery County Commissioner (Former U.S. Representative)
Website: http://joehoeffel2010.com/
I strongly support tolling I-80, and if the present plan for tolling is not approved I will submit a new plan which dedicates I-80 tolling revenue to the maintenance of I-80 and surrounding local roads. I will fund transportation infrastructure through diverse sustainable and dedicated sources based largely on usage. I will partner with federal, local, and private funding sources in order to more than double the maintenance, repair, and construction of roads, bridges, and public transportation, and to triple the amount of liquid fuels tax sharing to local and county governments.

Dan Onorato
Current Position: Allegheny County Chief Executive
Website: www.voteonorato.com
I supported Act 44 because it is essential to economic development that we fund our infrastructure – including roads and highways, bridges and mass transit. If the state’s application for I-80 is disapproved, it is important for the state to immediately act to fill the revenue hole and if it does not, I will be prepared to work with all stakeholders to do so when I take office. If the state’s I-80 application is approved, I believe revenue should be used for improving I-80 and protecting local commuters.

Jack Wagner
Current Position: Auditor General of Pennsylvania
Website: http://www.jackwagner.org/
As Governor, I will direct cost savings from implementing my audit recommendations and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in state government to addressing our public transportation needs. If additional revenues are needed for infrastructure specifically related to highways and roads, the needs should be funded by user fees. I will challenge the Pennsylvania Turnpike to become one of the better highways in America. I will also make the Pennsylvania Turnpike the first multi-fuel highway in the country, with the infrastructure to support vehicles powered by electricity, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel. This will help us get off oil and, at the same time, stimulate the green economy. I will partner with the governors of our neighboring states in this important effort. Finally, I will use the Turnpike to market the many positive attractions throughout Pennsylvania, such as the National Constitution Center, Hersheypark, and the Gettysburg battlefields.

Anthony Williams
Current Position: State Senator
Website: http://www.williams4governor.com/
I’ve lived most of my life in southeastern Pennsylvania. Every time I drive to Harrisburg, or to Lancaster, or to Pittsburgh, I pay tolls. This reality is not unique to me; it is a cost that comes for those who live in the southern half of Pennsylvania. So, as a matter of fairness, tolling I-80 is not unprecedented. The challenging economic climate we are in has led many to forget that tolling I-80 is Plan B. the fact of the matter is, revenue has to be made up somewhere. We’re at the point of trying to find the least offensive solution. We already considered increasing the gas tax, which was rejected for myriad reasons. Considering greater power efficiency standards and the fact that this economy has led people to travel less and waste less gas, those revenues would have been tempered, anyway. Increasing car registration fees or vehicle transfer fees would be terribly burdensome, and the General Assembly has been unwilling to do that. Efficiency efforts such as moving the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission into the state Department of Transportation may save some, but the projected $5 million in savings does not eradicate enough of the $400 million problem we face. If tolling I-80 does not occur, it is likely we will have to revisit some of those less palatable options in order to provide the support we need for our bridges and roadways.

What the Polls are Saying
While an April 7, 2010 poll conducted by Quinnipiac Poll shows Dan Onorato with a slight lead in the Democratic primary race for Governor, the most interesting result shows that 47 percent are undecided and 70 percent of those who name a candidate say they might change their mind.


Republican Candidates

Tom Corbett
Current Position: Attorney General of Pennsylvania
Website: http://www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com/
A comprehensive revenue plan is needed to provide for the long-term maintenance and enhancement of our transportation infrastructure. Declining revenue projections and the looming deficit will mean that state expenditures must be prioritized according to the return we can expect in terms of supporting an economic recovery. Expenditures for our infrastructure should be maintained or enhanced wherever possible to help make Pennsylvania more competitive in attracting job creators. PennDOT will be directed to reduce costs through the incorporation of best practices, conducting research to extend infrastructure longevity and evaluating the potential of public-private partnerships. The Commonwealth’s State Transportation Improvement Plan will be built upon collaboration and partnership between metropolitan planning organizations and local development districts to ensure that every public dollar spent will be maximized in terms of its return in spurring economic development.

Sam Rohrer
Current Position: State Representative
Website: http://www.samrohrer.org/
Did not respond to the survey.

What the Polls are Saying
Recent polls have found that Tom Corbett continues to hold on to a large lead over challenger Sam Rohrer.