Another Open Letter to Ray LaHood
Dear Secretary LaHood and Mayor Nutter:
A few weeks ago, I wrote to both of you in support of using the $3.38 billion in ARC funds New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declined to fund necessary improvements to Southeastern Pennsylvania’s and Philadelphia’s public transit, including such items as implementing a smart card system, extending the Broad Street Subway to the Navy Yard, building light rail from Philadelphia to Reading, and other suggestions. While I hope you have taken these ideas into consideration, it has come to my attention that there may be an additional $400 million in funding, thanks to Ohio Governor-elect John Kasich’s announced decision to kill passenger rail connecting Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati.
While the governor of Ohio may be content with 10% unemployment, I can assure you that Philadelphia will not be satisfied until all of us are back at work. Directing the money Governor Kasich doesn’t want to transit projects in Philadelphia will help us lower our unemployment rate, improve our quality of life, and provide sustainable long-term jobs. I ask that you consider directing those federal funds to our city. I am sure Mayor Nutter would agree with me that this stimulative funding would be welcomed here.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Brendan Skwire
