Blair Lawmakers Like Early Turnpike Lease Numbers
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May 20, 2008, 07:58
A $12.8-billion deal to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike is finding some support from two of Blair County’s state lawmakers.
Altoona State Representative Rick Geist, who has openly supported the idea of a public-private partnership, says the main selling point of Governor Ed Rendell’s proposal is that future transportation funding needs won’t fall on the backs of state taxpayers.
Geist says a strong system of checks and balances will need to be in place to make sure the terms of the deal are strictly followed. And he wants to make sure the money isn’t specifically funneled to Philadelphia. 30th District State Senator John Eichelberger agrees that the early numbers look good. But he says if the state does find itself with an influx of money to fund transportation needs, those dollars will need to be better managed.
State Representative Jerry Stern is still reviewing the terms of the proposal. He says he’s paying close attention specifically to how the deal came together in the first place.
