Feb. 28, 2019
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s visit to Bridgeville promoting his massive tax, borrow and spend “Restore Pennsylvania” proposal:
“While I am pleased the governor came to tour Bridgeville, his ‘Restore Pennsylvania’ plan is nothing but a boondoggle. The natural gas industry already pays an impact fee. Since 2012 more than $375 million from the fee has been given out in county conservation, hazardous cleanup, Growing Greener, and water and sewer grants throughout Pennsylvania
“The governor’s plan will fund these same kinds of projects but float a $4.5 billion bond at 5 percent interest that will be paid off over 30 years. It doesn’t take a mathematician to know billions of dollars in interest will have to be paid. This means our kids and their kids will be paying the cost back for decades, hamstringing future budgets and economic growth.
“When the flooding occurred last summer, I directed Bridgeville Borough Council to a number of grant programs funded by the impact fee. The borough applied for these grants, but continues to wait to see if it will be approved. While I have pushed tirelessly for approval, the governor himself can advocate too if he really wants to help.
“Unfortunately, the Federal Emergency Management Agency did not declare a state of emergency at the time of the flooding. As a result, Pennsylvania has been unable to access federal government money.
“I will continue to advocate for the people of the 46th Legislative District, but we cannot create a new debt program that will come at the expense of future generations.”
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships, and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
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tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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