Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf urged his states’ Congressional Delegation to prioritize critical infrastructure need as a part of any new COVID-19 stimulus or infrastructure package on Friday.
In a letter to the Congress members, Wolf said that the state needs to be able to invest in its infrastructure – from high-speed internet access to transportation and stormwater infrastructure – to move the state forward.
“Record job losses continue to impact Pennsylvania even as we are taking steps to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wolf said. “It is vital to the future success of our commonwealth that additional funding be allocated through a comprehensive and robust infrastructure package, as well as stimulus funding, to address the immediate and long-term needs of those left behind by the changing dynamics of our industries, as well as provide additional job opportunities across many sectors.”
The governor said the COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted needs across the state, including the state’s massive, aging transportation network. In 2018, the American Society of Engineers’ “infrastructure report card” gave Pennsylvania a D+ rating for the quality of its roads and bridges and a D for its transit.
“This is unacceptable but can easily be remedied with additional funding from the federal government to improve our highways, bridges, and secondary roads as well upgrade our strained transit systems,” Wolf said.
Wolf also noted the need for high speed internet access to bridge the digital divide. According to the Federal Communications Commission, more than 800,000 Pennsylvanians (520,000 in rural areas) lack access to reliable high-speed internet, impacting their ability to find jobs, attend school through remote learning or communicate in emergency situations.
“It is absolutely critical that additional funding for broadband access be included in federal legislation so that our commonwealth can meet the challenges of the 21st century and embrace new opportunities for growth and competitiveness,” Wolf said.
The governor also called for funding to address blighted properties, to build new or to revitalize old manufacturing facilities, and the state’s stormwater infrastructure’s inability to keep up with new developments and the effects of climate change.
“The potential for Pennsylvania is endless, but additional funding is needed to achieve the goals of vibrant towns and cities, with new development and opportunities in rural and disadvantaged areas, creating a modern, interconnected commonwealth,” Wolf said. “These priorities of reinvesting in our communities, if given robust funding through stimulus money and a comprehensive infrastructure package, will ensure Pennsylvania is ready and able to compete in our post-pandemic economy.”