tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post3528799584706515521..comments2023-12-24T05:26:48.861-05:00Comments on The Pittsburgh Comet: Pass Transportation Funding! Make the Governing Happen! And other tales...Bram Reichbaumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-68947604609714112992013-09-29T19:39:47.963-04:002013-09-29T19:39:47.963-04:00The real problem in those scenarios is the state w...The real problem in those scenarios is the state would be collecting a lot more in taxes from Allegheny County without giving nearly as much back. That's bad, but if that was a given, then I am pretty sure more local taxes paying for more local transportation would still be a competitive positive from that bad baseline.<br /><br />Of course if spiking the local funding element could actually prevent the House tea-party-types' preferred state funding scenario from happening, then it might well be worth spiking it. But I am not sure that tie really exists.BrianTHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-53249341551814210132013-09-29T13:44:31.258-04:002013-09-29T13:44:31.258-04:00I hadn't considered the notion of adding those...I hadn't considered the notion of adding those local funding options over top of SB1 funding, and I don't think anyone else has either. But that's alright, we don't need to limit ourselves to legislators' constructs, and besides it might conceivably form the basis of compromise.<br /><br />As far as the point on local taxes and competitive pressures, I haven't done the math but my impression is that SB1 funding is so significant (in its bare adequacy) that a local sales taxes hike high enough to replace it, for example, really would be the kind of thing to disincentivize business. Similarly a higher income tax locally might encourage sprawl over reinvestment. And <a href="http://nullspace2.blogspot.com/2011/11/loopholes-r-us.html" rel="nofollow">do we even seriously collect</a> the real estate transfer tax?Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-91330685388488835482013-09-29T02:06:19.825-04:002013-09-29T02:06:19.825-04:00SB1 plus authorization for more local funding migh...SB1 plus authorization for more local funding might be the best possible outcome. On that subject:<br /><br />"We know that steeper and 'left-field' taxes are not really a practical option at the local level due to competitive pressures from just two miles down the road."<br /><br />Care to elaborate? I might note I highly doubt slightly higher Allegheny County taxes used to fund better transportation in Allegheny County would actually do anything to blunt Allegheny County's economic growth, and in fact if anything I think it would help.<br /><br />Of course screwing Allegheny County even worse than it is already getting screwed on the state funding side, as the Tea Party-types in the House want to do, would itself be a bad thing. But otherwise giving Allegheny County more tools to do its own transportation funding its own way would likely be a good thing, so if you could do the latter without doing the former that could work out well.BrianTHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-76096267175316126432013-09-28T09:51:08.127-04:002013-09-28T09:51:08.127-04:00I am unaware of any Dem gov candidates who don'...I am unaware of any Dem gov candidates who don't want to frack for cash, and precious few Dem legislators who prefer a "moratorium" to higher extraction taxes and more impact fees in this place called Pennsylvania. And I admit while chewing over the consequences of $100 extra per auto registration and per moving violation, my own mind went to, "Man this would be a lot simpler if we could tax our world record setting energy production industry as high as, say, Oklahoma."<br /><br />My issues are 1) the timeline; how long will this gambit take and what happens to transit in the meanwhile, let alone a bridge collapse 2) even if we get a Dem governor, do we really expect both houses of the Leg to just roll over and play ball 3) the optics of Dems so transparently turning over the moral authority on critical infrastructure after all this buildup and 4) well, getting structurally addicted to fracking doesn't seem like the best idea.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-32365112931828463992013-09-27T23:58:45.033-04:002013-09-27T23:58:45.033-04:00I wonder if this deadlock over a not-previously-no...I wonder if this deadlock over a not-previously-noted technicality might also <a href="http://triblive.com/neighborhoods/yourmckeesport/yourmckeesportmore/4659714-74/saccone-state-bridges#axzz2g9K775DO" rel="nofollow">smell</a> somewhat of <a href="http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2013&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1681&pn=2315" rel="nofollow">gas</a>. Of fermenting compromise deals perhaps <a href="http://www.pagop.org/2013/09/pa-gop-statement-rep-allyson-schwartz-gas-tax/" rel="nofollow">not of the present governor's liking</a> but perhaps of <a href="http://www.marcellusmoney.org/candidates" rel="nofollow">pecuniary</a> and <a href="http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/gov_tom_corbett_wont_let_get_o.html" rel="nofollow">political </a>advantage both to moderate Republicans who wish to <a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/pennsylvania-republicans-looking-to-push-out-their-governor-20130717" rel="nofollow">dump their lead balloon</a> and to Democratic <a href="http://allysonschwartz.com/allysons-plan-for-one-pennsylvania/" rel="nofollow">hopefuls</a> who can <a href="http://www.ragingchickenpress.org/2013/05/06/allyson-schwartzs-connections-to-big-gas-what-else-did-you-expect/" rel="nofollow">gain</a> a great deal from looking both practical and "moderate." <br /><br />And if Democrats oh so "bravely" tax Marcellus Shale a "moderate" percentage and also very publicly demand that public transit be funded along with Saccone's favored bridges, they can help set up Schwartz for the big slam dunk: <br /><a href="http://allysonschwartz.com/allysons-plan-for-one-pennsylvania/" rel="nofollow">"Allyson’s Plan for “One Pennsylvania”</a><br /><br /><i>This non-renewable resource presents the Commonwealth with an extraordinary opportunity. These resources belong to the people of Pennsylvania and they deserve a fair deal and a lasting positive legacy for the Commonwealth. This legacy should be world-class schools, a 21st century transportation network, clean and cheap energy, and new jobs that can power our economy for the future.</i><br /><br />So, to sum up this speculation, I'm wondering if the gamesmanship on both sides of the aisle might converge something like this: "Let SB1 die over it's newly discovered unconstitutionality, and then with a convincing tussle to include public transit in that Saccone proposal to <a href="http://www.law360.com/articles/467721/pa-bill-aims-to-raise-1b-for-roads-by-leasing-to-drillers" rel="nofollow">tax Marcellus Shale for transportation (instead of potentially vengeful taxpaying driver-voters)</a> for previously forbidden drilling of protected forest lands, we got our win/win/win."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Helen Gerhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07010369817073080001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-50453543763182048962013-09-27T22:00:00.731-04:002013-09-27T22:00:00.731-04:00Alright, we're going to let this sit until som...Alright, we're going to let this sit until somebody makes a next move, but this smells like a medium-rare Harrisburger with the works.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-51748714859496478072013-09-27T16:57:59.286-04:002013-09-27T16:57:59.286-04:00We have been assuming that - for lack of any ratio...We have been assuming that - for lack of any rational indications that we ought not do so. I assume at least a fair number of Republicans, just as Corbett, would be eager to rectify this issue. And we assume all Democrats would as well -- that is, outside of unnecessary, stunningly counterproductive and possibly life-threatening gubernatorial gamesmanship. Where and how exactly are those assumptions flawed, we are all eager to learn? Spare no detail.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-75876043311797525722013-09-27T16:42:15.833-04:002013-09-27T16:42:15.833-04:00You're assuming the House has any appetite to ...You're assuming the House has any appetite to just "pass it clean" in the first place?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-53880984810937558812013-09-27T16:33:39.681-04:002013-09-27T16:33:39.681-04:00Sounds like a technicality that has been very long...Sounds like a technicality that has been very long in abeyance, if Senate leadership acted as though totally unaware... if we know the mind of the Senate, can't Wheatley and the rest of the House introduce its own copy of SB1 and the Senate just "re-pass" it?Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-91708688022987456972013-09-27T16:16:54.373-04:002013-09-27T16:16:54.373-04:00http://t.co/Fltj0RsmERhttp://t.co/Fltj0RsmERAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-42035706866528190332013-09-27T13:51:53.705-04:002013-09-27T13:51:53.705-04:00YES!!! And then twist somebody else's arm to p...YES!!! And then twist somebody else's arm to plagiarize any of <a href="http://www.goburgh.org/Portals/0/Documents/PA%20Needs%20Transit%20Funding%20060613_sm.pdf" rel="nofollow">this info</a> that they want to, even if by copy-paste, and hit the send button!<br /><br />With big thanks to our co-authors, our diligent transit advocate allies, Go Burgh: <br /><br />http://www.goburgh.org/Portals/0/Documents/PA%20Needs%20Transit%20Funding%20060613_sm.pdf<br /><br />;)Helen Gerhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07010369817073080001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-84821201613738207092013-09-27T13:09:37.486-04:002013-09-27T13:09:37.486-04:00Can't I just send an email, because lazy.Can't I just send an email, because lazy.MHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-57036396302358273232013-09-27T12:55:58.329-04:002013-09-27T12:55:58.329-04:00Hey Dems. If you vote against the original SB1 to ...Hey Dems. If you vote against the original SB1 to make Corbett look bad, it will backfire. Some of your supporters enjoy being intellectually honest. Reporters also tend to relish such opportunities.<br /><br />Truly, this cannot be the plan.Bram Reichbaumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620172942925293407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1588280325775325323.post-65795575244652883802013-09-27T11:42:55.184-04:002013-09-27T11:42:55.184-04:00Okay,we public transit advocates are hearing that ...Okay,we public transit advocates are hearing that the Dems are smelling Corbett blood in the water and are morphing into frenzied sharks, ready to vote no even on the original version of Senate Bill 1, which was no banquet for public transit but would have kept Port Authority and SEPTA afloat for the next near-decade - along with all those jobs and businesses and the attendant urban taxes to pay for everything else in the state budget. <br /><br />Evidently they want to make the Governor look bad just before election year. Corbett already looks really, really bad even if the Dems help pass a transportation bill that will fulfill the most basic needs of the people who voted for them. <br /><br />So, all yinz out there who want the buses to keep rolling, the potholes to be filled, the bridges not to fall down on our heads, please call your legislators, Democrat or Republican, and talk some common sense to them. Please urge them to vote for the ORIGINAL Senate Bill 1 (printer number1162) that includes the minimum funding to prevent major public transit service cuts, not to mention fixing the decaying roads and bridges that we all need to roll on forward. <br /><br /><br />Helen Gerhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07010369817073080001noreply@blogger.com