Advocacy Blog

 May 22, 2019

Dear Sen. Corman and Rep. Cutler:

On behalf of the five chapters of the Associated Builders & Contractors throughout Pennsylvania, collectively known as ABC PA, we are writing to advocate in support of legislation that would provide additional resources for the Commonwealth’s infrastructure and development efforts.

As you know, Pennsylvania sits in the top ten number of states by total public road miles and currently has more than 3,700 publicly used bridges with a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rating of “Poor.”  While Act 89 of 2013 was implemented to address these needs, the law is scheduled to sunset in the next few years and also only addresses Pennsylvania’s dire transportation needs.  Act 89 does nothing to address the multitude of other infrastructure needs, including technology expansion to rural areas, blight restoration, and perhaps most important of all, workforce development.

For years, ABC has been a leading advocate for additional resources for workforce development, including apprenticeship programming, facility development, pre-apprenticeship, and post-secondary career & technical education.  For the first time in Pennsylvania’s history, Governor Wolf called for specific state resources devoted to apprenticeship in the 2018-2019 budget.  While this landmark decision demonstrates a commitment to addressing the growing workforce shortage, it is woefully delinquent in stemming the actual need.

Recent proposals like Restore PA would strategically invest resources into much-needed sectors of development, allowing Pennsylvania to continue growing as a Commonwealth, providing private sector businesses a path forward to hire new workers and develop the next generation of workforce.  They would restore aging and crumbling infrastructure and encourage private investment in new development, propelling Pennsylvania on a path to revitalization.

As you continue the 2019-2020 legislative session, we would encourage you to consider these proposals and the merit of much-needed, significant infrastructure investment like Restore PA.  In the meantime, thank you for your continued commitment to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.