THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY LENTZ, PETRI, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, FREEMAN, GEIST, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, McILVAINE SMITH, MURT, M. O'BRIEN, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, STURLA, WATSON AND YOUNGBLOOD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, SEPTEMBER 9, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to

undertake a review of the existing transportation entities in

southeastern Pennsylvania and to complete a study and cost

analysis of the implementation of a comprehensive regional

transportation planning and investment entity.

WHEREAS, The regions of this Commonwealth consisting of

Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Northampton, Lehigh, Berks,

Philadelphia and Montgomery Counties are currently served by

several transportation entities including the Southeastern

Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, the Philadelphia Parking

Authority, the Delaware River Port Authority, the Delaware River

Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the Philadelphia International

Airport and the Lehigh Valley International Airport; and

WHEREAS, In southeastern Pennsylvania, there is no single

intermodal entity but several separate entities, each with their

own initiatives and budgets; and

WHEREAS, This system of multiple-entity governance prevents

the development and execution of comprehensive regional

transportation planning and investment; and

WHEREAS, Each entity raises and expends funds independently,

therefore no single entity can develop and execute a

comprehensive plan to transform the region's transportation

infrastructure; and 

WHEREAS, Population centers and employment opportunities are

increasingly expanding outside the Philadelphia urbanized area

which creates challenges for the existing transportation

network, resulting in congestion and commuting problems that

extend beyond the jurisdiction of any one county; and

WHEREAS, A modern efficient system would provide

sustainability and a cost-effective impact, which are both

instrumental for future economic prosperity; and

WHEREAS, An integrated entity could be in a better position

to modernize and transform the transportation system service in

southeastern Pennsylvania, to maximize rail and mass transit and

to coordinate investment and development of high-speed rail; and

WHEREAS, A multimodal regional transportation authority may

more effectively respond to Federal, State and local initiatives

as highlighted by the United States Secretary of Transportation

and Federal Highway Administration's increased focus on

multimodal initiatives through development of a national high-

speed rail implementation program, including further development

in the Northeast Corridor; and

WHEREAS, A multimodal regional transportation authority could

be in a better position to leverage revenue-generating projects

with available Federal, State and local funding sources; and

WHEREAS, The creation of a multimodal regional transportation

authority in southeastern Pennsylvania may present a unique

opportunity to address comprehensive land planning and

transportation development issues to better shape the future of

strategic regional planning initiatives by removing individual

agency boundaries that limit the effective implementation of

regional transportation solutions; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

undertake a review of the existing transportation entities in

southeastern Pennsylvania which shall include consultation with

representatives from transportation entities in the region; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

identify comparable national peer regions for comparisons with

southeastern Pennsylvania, which may include the regional

transportation authorities in the states of Georgia, Texas,

Colorado, Oregon, California and Florida, for purposes of

reviewing existing practices and functions and their

applicability to southeastern Pennsylvania; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

complete a study and cost analysis of the implementation and

continued administration of a comprehensive regional

transportation authority in southeastern Pennsylvania; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That, in an effort to alleviate the expenses to the

Legislative Budget and Finance Committee for conducting a study

of this nature and magnitude, the Legislative Budget and Finance

Committee identify and apply for government grants or private

funding, or both, for a study germane to this issue; and be it

further

RESOLVED, That, in furtherance of its study, the Legislative

Budget and Finance Committee shall:

(1)  evaluate the powers and duties of each individual

authority, including limitations of the individual authority

to plan, design, finance, construct, operate and maintain

existing transportation facilities and to provide a safe,

adequate and efficient surface transportation network for the

southeast region;

(2)  address agency revenue sources, governance,

coordination of work plans and coordination with local

comprehensive plans for all transportation facilities and

infrastructure development within the southeastern region;

(3)  recommend an implementation plan, which may include

the formation of a regional transportation network or other

implementation approach to provide a comprehensive multimodal

regional transportation network; and

(4)  recommend and itemize any legislative action, if

necessary, to implement a southeastern regional

transportation authority;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

report all findings, conclusions and recommendations to the

House of Representatives within one year of the adoption of this

resolution.