Minutes - Port Authority of Allegheny County
Minutes - Port Authority of Allegheny County
Minutes - Port Authority of Allegheny County
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The Chairman called on <strong>County</strong> Councilman Nick Futules.<br />
Councilman Futules reported that last night he started reading his packet and to tell you the truth, he<br />
fell asleep about the second paragraph. He then stated [after ripping up his speech], that he would<br />
like to speak from his heart.<br />
Councilman Futules took <strong>of</strong>fice on December 4, 2007, and that night was asked to vote for the<br />
biggest tax increase in the history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>County</strong>, the drink tax. The drink tax was passed<br />
[which he voted against], but noted that he did vote for the car rental tax that was passed to support<br />
<strong>Port</strong> <strong>Authority</strong> and the people who ride the buses.<br />
Councilman Futules believes this is an important issue and invited the Board to attend the Regular<br />
meeting <strong>of</strong> <strong>County</strong> Council on Tuesday, March 1 where he will be introducing a motion urging <strong>Port</strong><br />
<strong>Authority</strong> to devote the entire $45 million in flex funding received in December 2010 to FY 2010-2011.<br />
He believes these cuts would devastate <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>County</strong> and create widespread hardship for our<br />
citizens.<br />
The motion being introduced on Tuesday evening advises <strong>Port</strong> <strong>Authority</strong> to follow their own resolution<br />
suggesting that if funding became available the organization would utilize it for its budget shortfalls.<br />
Councilman Futules commented that he feels that if <strong>Port</strong> <strong>Authority</strong> does not use the money that was<br />
given to them, it is sending the message that the money is not needed.<br />
The Chairman called on Mr. Bland for a report.<br />
Mr. Bland started his report by addressing a lot <strong>of</strong> misinformation that is out there. The information<br />
that we’ve seen in recent flyers and newspaper ads is not only inaccurate, but it is disingenuous and<br />
frankly, it’s become very dangerous. It only spreads misinformation and false hope that the problems<br />
we face, our riders face and our employees face can be solved at this table or even on Grant Street.<br />
Before going on, Mr. Bland thanked Councilman Futules for his comments because <strong>Port</strong> <strong>Authority</strong><br />
really enjoys our working relationship with the <strong>Allegheny</strong> <strong>County</strong> Council.<br />
He continued by saying that the fact <strong>of</strong> the matter is, this problem [as Mr. Robison alluded to], lies in<br />
Harrisburg not Pittsburgh. The solutions lie with our community as a whole, not with some magic vote<br />
that this Board might conduct today or in a future meeting. There’s a fundamental problem with how<br />
Pennsylvania pays for transportation. It’s true <strong>of</strong> roads and bridges; it’s true <strong>of</strong> transit; it’s true in<br />
Philadelphia; and it’s true in Pittsburgh. Frankly, no amount <strong>of</strong> public pressure on him, this Board,<br />
<strong>County</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials or other elected <strong>of</strong>ficials can change that simple fact.<br />
Mr. Bland reiterated what we’ve been saying for a long time to riders, employees, communities and<br />
neighborhoods that are affected by these disastrous cuts, is that we agree with you. You’re angry,<br />
you’re hurt, you’re frustrated, you’re tired <strong>of</strong> it, and so are we. The $45 million provided by former<br />
Governor Rendell was a one-time gift. Governor Rendell acknowledged that when he provided it to<br />
us and the most responsible thing we can do is to make that gift last as long as possible to benefit as<br />
many people as possible. Now, as much as we appreciate that gift, it doesn’t solve our funding or<br />
financial crisis. It merely postpones it to allow reasonable people time to work out an affective<br />
solution. Frankly, if we waste our time fighting amongst ourselves, we lose precious time and we lose<br />
precious money. We could use these funds to prolong service to July, but beginning July 1, 2011,<br />
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