PENNSYLVANIA — Mayors from big cities and small towns across the commonwealth who see every day the need to invest in our crumbling roads and bridges are calling on Congress to pass the bipartisan infrastructure framework being negotiated by President Biden and members of both parties as soon as possible.
Following last month’s historic agreement on a bipartisan infrastructure framework currently being turned into legislative text, mayors from across the country, including seven from Pennsylvania, sent a letter to Congress urging them to take immediate action on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework. Included in this letter are Mayors from major cities and towns across the commonwealth including: Mayor Jim Kenney (Philadelphia), Mayor Paige Cogentti (Scranton), Mayor Ray O’Connell (Allentown), Mayor Robert Donchez (Bethlehem), Mayor Sal Panto (Easton), Mayor Joseph Schember (Erie), Mayor Matt Shorraw (Monessen).
The mayors stressed that federal leaders should continue to empower local leaders by investing in communities through proven delivery systems such as Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, Community Development Block Grants, and Surface Transportation Block Grants.
The roughly $1.2 trillion plan President Biden negotiated with congressional leaders last month would make a historic investment in our physical infrastructure. The framework would fix the hundreds of roads and bridges in poor condition in Pennsylvania, make critical investments in our clean energy future, and help America compete with China and other economic rivals. It would replace lead water pipes in our schools and houses, and connect every American to high-speed internet. It would create millions of high-paying jobs that could not be outsourced. Mayors across Pennsylvania agree: Congress must pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework.
“Nobody understands the real danger in a lack of investment in our roads, bridges and railways better than our mayors, and when they speak out with one voice like this in support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework, Washington needs to listen,” said Rosie Lapowsky, Pennsylvania Democratic Party Spokesperson. “With such a clear need for this relief, Republicans in Washington must join our local leaders and get behind the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework to ensure our infrastructure across Pennsylvania is finally in good condition.”
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