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| From Our President |
| The economic downturn has put state and local governments in an unusual position when it comes to spending public money. Just as they are bracing for a bout of severe belt-tightening, they are also gearing up for what could be an unprecedented spending spree, thanks to the stimulus package that is now making its way through Congress. While most economists see the stimulus as essential to economic recovery, many Pennsylvanians fear a wave of unbridled "pork-barrel" spending that will burden our children with debt and leave us little in return.
How can we distinguish between pork and prudent investments? We need a set of principles to help us identify public investments that will create good jobs, promote efficiency, build on our existing assets, strengthen our communities and produce lasting results. State agencies and local governments should use the principles to screen potential funding proposals and weed out those that fall short. And recipients of government funds should be held accountable to the principles to ensure that they are using the money as intended. ...More | |
Senate Deliberates Transit Funding
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 Thanks to your outreach to our U.S. Representatives, the Economic Recovery and Revitalization Act passed the House with the Nadler amendment for transit and rail funding intact. Today, the bill is being considered in the Senate, where several amendments have been proposed that would strip much of the bill's transit funding in favor of more highway money.
Senator Kit Bond has proposed two amendments that would strip all funding in the stimulus from high-speed rail and move it into highway construction. Meanwhile, Senator Jim Inhofe and Senator Barbara Boxer have an amendment of his own that would establish a slush fund for road construction. According to our legislative sources, the Senate is in the middle of a discussion to cut $3.4 billion from transit funding in the name of fiscal restraint, while adding to the proposed highway funding.
Contact your senators TODAY and urge them to vote against raiding transit and rail funding for a highways-only slush fund! Imagine it: billions with no strings attached - no language for accountability, no prioritization for repair, and no promise of clean energy solutions for the 21st Century.
We need your help NOW. The Senate is currently deliberating on this, and now is the time to make your voice heard. Tell your senators: "No blank checks for highway construction!" |
10,000 Friends To Host Multi-Municipal Planning Roundtable Forums
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 Throughout February and March, 10,000 Friends staff members Ed Wilson and Josh Karns will be touring to state to host a series of roundtable discussions on multi-municipal planning to follow the publication of the report Plan Regionally, Implement Locally. The roundtable are being organizated with cooperation from the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and the Local Government Academy.
These discussions are intended for professional planners, municipal officials, and other individuals with some experience in multi-municipal planning. They will be structured to draw on the experiences of those in attendance with opportunities for everyone to offer input.
The roundtables have no registration fee and will be held on the following dates:
- February 10 - Cumberland Co. (morning)
- February 18 - Chester Co. (afternoon)
- March 10 - Centre Co. (afternoon)
- March 11 - Lackawanna Co. (morning)
- March 17 - Allegheny Co. (afternoon)
- March 18 - Crawford Co. (evening)
Please read the brocure for more information, and visit the PSATS website to register.
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A Fond Farewell
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Julie Lalo, Vice-President for Communications and Policy at 10,000 Friends is now working in a new position as Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative for the National Wildlife Federation. She will be serving as the liaison between seven states and affiliates and the NWF headquarters, building capacity and strengthening networks amongst the affiliates and related organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region (including Pennsylvania). It's an exciting opportunity for Julie to further her passion for advancing strong climate solutions and reconnecting people with nature. Julie's efforts at 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania will be missed and we wish her the best of luck in this new venture.
Josh Karns, our Regional Outreach Coordinator has ably assumed the role as Editor of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania E-Newsletter. Josh is also working on updating our web-site adding new features including direct links to legislators to make your advocacy efforts a seamless process. Look for a brand-new site in March.
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Good Reading
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In an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, David Lewis, emeritus distinguished professor of urban studies at Carnegie Mellon University, nails the importance of vibrant urban neighborhoods to the health of both our economy and our communities. While many of these neighborhoods have experienced decline, they are also ripe for revitalization. The senate's current plan to investing additional money into highway infrastructure will do little to stimulate our cities or remedy the increasing challenges being felt in suburban communities. With so much infrastructure already built in our urban areas, renovations and upgrades to these existing systems may be the most strategic "shovel ready" projects out there.
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| Stay Connected |
We update our site regularly with articles, opportunities and links, so please bookmark the home page of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and stop by often.
To find your legislator and get copies of introduced legislation, visit the State General Assembly website. As always, thank you for staying connected to 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania. Please contact us if you have questions or would like more information.
Our e-newsletters are designed to keep you in the loop on all of our activities. Click Join Our Mailing List! in the top left column to choose the e-newsletters you'd like to receive. |
| 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania |
 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania works as an alliance of organizations and individuals committed to promoting land use policies and actions that will enable Pennsylvania to strengthen its diverse urban, suburban and rural communities. Through a diverse coalition focused on a positive agenda, we seek proactive solutions and options for local, regional and state leaders. Visit our website. | |
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