Governor Corbett Ceremonially Signs Public and Private Partnerships for Transportation Act and Announces Board Appointments

Act Authorizes Public Private Transportation Initiatives in Pennsylvania

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett ceremonially signed a bill today that authorizes public private partnerships (P3) for transportation initiatives in the commonwealth.  These partnerships have the potential to strengthen the infrastructure of Pennsylvania and create jobs for Pennsylvanians.

Sponsored by Rep. Richard Geist (R-Blair), H.B. 3, The Public and Private Partnerships for Transportation Act, authorizes public private transportation projects in the commonwealth, allowing PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in the delivery, maintenance and financing of transportation related projects.

"I want a job for every Pennsylvanian who wants one," Corbett said. "That means a policy of growth. To accomplish this, especially in an age of shortage, we need to think creatively. I am here today to ceremonially sign new legislation that provides for new ways of thinking about how to fund transportation in our state."

The act provides for a seven member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board to examine and approve potential public private transportation projects. If the board determines a state operation would be more cost-effectively administered by a private company, the company will be authorized to either completely or partially take over that operation.

"Our newly created board will look over the proposal and, if the numbers make sense for the taxpayers, we will allow that private entity to take on the job of administering the project," Corbett said. "People are already taxed too much, so the question is, how can we reduce the overall cost so we can deliver more services with what we have? P3 opens the door to that solution."

The board is comprised of the Secretary of Transportation as chairperson, the Secretary of the Budget, one member appointed by the governor and four members appointed by the General Assembly.

"When this bill went before the legislature, a fiscal note from the House Transportation Appropriations staff reported the legislation had the possibility to generate significant revenue or reduce expenses for the Commonwealth," Corbett said. "So today in this ceremony, I'm putting my name on this bill in the hopes that partnership will pay off for our motorists, our employers and our taxpayers."

To read the full text of the legislation, visit the General Assembly's website at www.legis.state.pa.us. Corbett originally signed the bill on July 5.

For more information about PennDOT's Office of Policy & Public Private Partnership and the Public Private Transportation Partnership Board, visit www.P3forPA.pa.gov.

For more information on the Governor's commitment to job creation, visit www.governor.pa.gov.

Editor's Note:

The Public Private Transportation Partnership Board members are as follows:

Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch – Chair
Budget Secretary Charles Zogby
Nick DeBenedictis, President and CEO AquaAmerica
Ron Drnevich, former Chairman / CEO Gannett Fleming
Mike Murchie, M&T Bank Executive
Ryan Boyer, Laborers International
Rep. Steve Santarsiero

Media contact: Kelli Roberts, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor