Op-Ed: Kampf's Position on Road and Bridges Bill

The following Op-Ed was submitted by Dariel Jamieson, Chair of the Tredyffrin Township Democratic Committee

Warren Kampf – Too Extreme for Tredyffrin

The state of roads and bridges in PA is unacceptable.  Governor Corbett is backing a bill that would provide funding and a comprehensive approach.  State House Representative Warren Kampf, who represents the 157th district including Tredyffrin Township, has been a staunch opponent.  

Kampf has not only taken the Grover Norquist “No Tax” pledge, but his position puts him to the right of Tom Corbett.  Kampf’s position puts him at odds with his constituents, with three former governors  -Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker and Ed Rendell - who support the bill (see this article), and neighboring State House Representative Duane Milne.

There are two issues in the bill that are especially critical for Tredyffrin – the future of the Paoli Transit Center and the project to widen the PA Turnpike, including the installation of sound barriers.  Kampf pays lip service to supporting these projects, but passage of the transit bill he is opposing is critical to their success.  However, the bill in its entirety will help EVERY single of one Warren’s constituents and ALL residents of the state of Pennsylvania. 

First, spending on infrastructure creates jobs.  As construction workers, carpenters, electricians and others gain employment, they spend money to buy cars, go to restaurants, and otherwise patronize local businesses, in addition to paying taxes.  Then these businesses owners hire more workers, spend money and pay more in taxes.  If Kampf is so concerned about hard times that have befallen his constituents, he should vote for this bill to create jobs and prosperity.

Second, there are safety and economic costs associated with any further delays in addressing the many years of deferred maintenance of our roads and bridges.  If funding is not generated this year, many bridges in PA will have weight restrictions imposed.  This means detours for commuters, delivery trucks, school buses and fire engines.  Each additional mile driven burns more gas and wastes hours of time. 

In Tredyffrin, both fire houses are south of Route 30, and many areas of the Township are already outside the safe time limits to be reached by the fire companies.   Residents who live in areas like Chesterbrook, Glenhardie, Valley Forge Mountain and others could have delayed response times.  The bridge just across from the Berwyn fire station, on Old Lancaster Avenue, already had its pedestrian lanes closed down temporarily.  Who wants to be the Kampf constituent who is driving over a bridge as it collapses, or whose house burns, or whose sick family member worsens before relief can arrive?  For details of the bridge closing click here.

Third, residents of Tredyffrin, and the rest of southern PA are already paying a disproportionate share of state road repairs.  There exists Act 44 that requires the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to pay $450 million in cash each year to PennDOT for statewide transportation needs.  A transportation bill that provides a stable source of funding for road repairs would make it possible for Act 44 to expire and the costs of statewide road repairs to be born equally across the state.

Paoli business owners and residents support the bill and its assistance to funding the Paoli Transit Center because that project would build a new station and multi-level parking garage for commuters, improve area roads and streetscapes, slow traffic, and expand shuttle and bus service to local employers. It would act as a magnet for additional investment in the Paoli area, creating jobs and increasing property values as the Paoli area becomes a more desirable place to visit and spend money (see story here).

Other compendiums of reasons the transit bill should be passed include Community Matters and an editorial in the Philadelphia Inquirer. For a summary of these issues in another county, click here.  To join a petition from the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia urging passage of the bill, click here: 

Kampf is standing in the way of job creation and prosperity.  It’s time to get in step with the vast majority of people in Tredyffrin who recognize that economic vitality is the best way to help Kampf’s constituents and keep tax rates low.

Dariel Jamieson

Chair, Tredyffrin Township Democratic Committee    

What do you think? Tell us in the comments at the bottom of this article.