A guest post by Rep. Rick Geist, Chairman of the PA House Transportation Committee            As Pennsylvania struggles to maintain, rebuild and expand a deficient transportation infrastructure that is deteriorating by the day, a harsh reality has set in: The needs far surpass the public sector’s ability to fund them.             According to a 2010 study by the State Transportation Advisory Committee, an additional $3.5 billion a year is needed to fully meet...

NEW BLOG FOCUSES ON DRIVE FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO REBUILD PA HARRISBURG (Jan. 19, 2012) --`A new blog dedicated solely to informing and educating thought leaders on the need for public-private partnerships (P3s) to promote infrastructure development, community investment and improved public services (www.citizens4rebuildingpa.com) was launched today.  “People of every political stripe and persuasion agree that public-private partnerships are a good way to address some of the...

Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner recently stated that the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is in a state of fiscal crisis. Now, the Commonwealth Foundation has weighed in to assure us that Wagner’s warnings are not of the Chicken Little variety. Long term debt in the Commission has seen a 181 percent increase since 2007 despite a 25 percent increase in Turnpike tolls in 2009 and an expected 10 percent increase in cash rates this year.  During the tenure of former Pennsylvania...

(Jan. 10, 2012) -- The Maryland Joint Legislative and Executive Commission on Oversight of Public-Private Partnerships submitted to Governor Martin O’Malley and the General Assembly a series of recommendations for the bright future of public-private infrastructure projects in Maryland today. The commission and its chair, Lt. Governor Anthony Brown have estimated that public-private partnerships used to oversee capital projects would contribute between six and ten percent to Maryland’s...

Public-private partnerships aren’t just for infrastructure anymore as states are now taking P-3s to the internet. Instead of using state and municipal websites as merely sources of information, states like Texas and Utah have contracted private firms to turn their internet presence into Web portals where governments can offer services to citizens at a much lower cost. A report from the Center for Digital Government outlines the process and its successes. With many other services being...

The U.S. is struggling with how to prioritize, pay for and build new infrastructure, as well as how to maintain, repair and expand existing roads, highways, bridges and airports. The latest Reason-Rupe public opinion poll surveyed 1,200 adults (777 on landlines, 423 on cell phones) across the country to see how Americans think we should prioritize and pay for the transportation challenges we face. The findings include: - 77 percent of Americans oppose increasing the federal gas tax, just 19...

By now, if you’re like most Americans, you’ve just about given up on Washington to find ways to help us create new jobs and strengthen our economy.  If you’re like most Americans, you know that somebody has to do something but you’re not quite sure who should do what or where to start. There are a simple set of answers that should please voters and policy makers of every political persuasion.  The “who” is the private sector operating with the blessing of the public sector.  The...

Lots of folks are fearful of public-private partnerships (P-3s) because, generally, people are uncomfortable with any new idea. Problem solved: P-3s are almost as old as the Republic, with the first P-3 being launched in 1792 with the beginning of construction on the Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike – built and operated by a private company because the Commonwealth couldn’t afford to pay for its construction and upkeep. The Philadelphia and Lancaster Turnpike is an amazing case study...