Schmotzer Calls for Moratorium on Further PAT Cuts
State representative from Whitehall also wants a summer legislative session on transportation.
State Rep. Martin Michael Schmotzer will only be in office for the rest of this year, but the Democrat from Whitehall Borough is hoping to make the best use of his time.
Schmotzer is calling for a moratorium on further mass transit cuts in Allegheny County and a special summer session of the Pennsylvania Legislature to deal with transportation funding.
"The Port Authority of Allegheny County is dying a death by a thousand cuts," Schmotzer said in a news release. "We're at the point where, if the next round of cuts goes through—cutting 46 of the remaining 102 bus routes—we will not have a viable and legitimate mass transit system in Allegheny County.
"I am also concerned about the elimination of several Light Rail Transit (commonly known as The T) stops, which could impose hardships on seniors and people with disabilities and put riders at risk by forcing them to walk along busier roadways."
In addition to a moratorium on further mass transit cuts in Allegheny County, Schmotzer is calling for:
- Gov. Tom Corbett to call a special session of the state Legislature this summer to deal with transportation funding, particularly for mass transit, which is facing massive cuts in Allegheny County.
- Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald to turn over all proceeds from the county's drink tax and vehicle rental tax to Port Authority. Schmotzer said that the public expects that money to go for transit. Yet, he said, the county is keeping more than $9 million of that $36.684 million per year for its general budget.
- All dedicated and interested parties to be at the proposed summer session to solve the transit problem, including state government officials, county government officials and Port Authority officials.
Schmotzer's 22nd House District includes at least parts of Whitehall and Baldwin Township.
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In This article
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Borough of Whitehall Municipal Complex (Administrative Offices and Outdoor Recreation)
100 Borough Park Dr, Pittsburgh, PA -
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Baldwin Township Municipal Building (Administrative Offices)
10 Community Park Dr, Pittsburgh, PA
bd
5:02 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Big deal. The weekly Patch Schmotzer column. Old news which has been proposed before. This dude would be better off proposing the elimination of all expense accounts for state representatives and state senators since they do not have to show any receipts. Oh, wait - that would be money out of his pocket and money he does not have to prove he spent in order to get it from the taxpayers. Can't cut that right, Schmotzer? It would save tens of millions.
Kelly O.
6:17 pm on Saturday, June 16, 2012
Here we go .... this is the Marty Schmotzer story of the week. I agree with bd ... I don't think much, no, I correct myself ... I don't think anything about Marty Schmotzer and I am still shocked that ANYONE would cast a vote for him, especially knowing what he did and what he is like. Yeah, why doesn't he propose the elimination of these reps having this walking around money that they don't even have to account for? And why is it that we let them do this? Why don't we do something to stop this ... this is OUR money, not theirs.
Marty, find something else to do during your short time in this position. Let's have a countdown calendar to mark how many days ......
Robert Edward Healy, III
9:04 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Jean, you are entitled to state your opinions regarding our elected officials, but you can't make statements containing would-be facts without evidence. I'm sorry.
bd
9:20 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Mr. Healy - you have just defined a blog site. People come to this site and state many comments without facts. Your site, your rules, I understand. But, carrying your "facts without evidence" ruling further means that you cannot print any articles from politicians if you get my drift.
bd
10:42 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
ML - true, but you can say XYZ was a thief in the past and it is my opinion that a tiger does not change it's stripes, therfore I think an audit might be in order in the future.
Jean Smith
1:14 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Pennsylvania General Assembly
http://www.house.state.pa.us/
http://www.house.state.pa.us/rules/2011HouRules.htm#12
Rule 14
Members' and Employees' Expenses
"All annual audit reports shall be available for public inspection."
Robert Edward Healy, III
3:51 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
ML, correct you are.
Robert Edward Healy, III
10:30 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Not a blog, though, bd—an online news service with a comments section.
Jean Smith
10:47 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Robert there was truth in there also, and all of what I wrote shouldn't of been deleted but you work for the patch and have to respect that.
NB resident
9:53 am on Sunday, June 17, 2012
If Fitzgerald is no handing over the drink tax and car rental funds, Is that not a violation of the law. Those funds were raised for the port authority. Fitzgerald needs to go, came in lied to us and just does what he wants
cc
10:14 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
They also promised when they started the drink tax that the money would go no where but to the Port Authority. Today on the news Port Authority was talking about spending Millions in the East Suburbs of Pittsburgh. They cut buses, raise fairs and now expanding. It is about time Port Authority goes up on the market for sale.
Robert Edward Healy, III
11:17 pm on Sunday, June 17, 2012
Jean, thank you for understanding and for continuing to be an active contributor.
Jean Smith
5:44 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Did you see what the Port Authority Plans to spend now in the East Hills. Take buses away from the South Hills and spend money elsewhere. Hopes the county doesn't give them another penny and they get rid of the stupid drink tax. Let them sink their own ship.
Jon Wain
10:04 pm on Wednesday, June 27, 2012
We have to thank Dan Onotaxo for the drink tax but don't waste time talking about it cause no americans will stand up and fight. That is unless we send the air force in to bomb the port authority. Then we will stand up and flex our muscles and say hell ya take that. You clowns don't like what the port authority is doin ...take action Make yins selves be heard.WHAT EVER IT TAKES