DEFCON 2

Pardon my French, but this is bullshit.

I am sick and tired of this. I am so frustrated with Act 44. The state legislature passed the buck down the line a few years, hoping something would pan out. When it didn't, we're in the same position we were before, but now we're dealing with one of the worst budget years in history. The state legislature has completely let down my trust, and has demonstrated an unwillingness to even seriously weigh the benefits and losses of this issue.

I'm sick of Northern PA. The congressional representatives and lobbyists were able to prevent the tolling of I-80 in a move that just plain wasn't fair. How many roads have been paved up there off of the dollars of Southern residents? Northern PA needs to recognize they are parts of this state. Not to mention the fact that transit systems aren't exclusive to the Southern communities.

I'm sick of the fact that public perception is still anti-transit. If the lack of funding was half a dozen other things, there would be a crowd of pitchforks at the state capitol. There is still this perception, for whatever reason, that transit is this side show issue for a fringe community of environmentalists and urbanists. In reality, one more bus rider is one less car on the road. Better for the public, better for the government, better for everyone.

Please, call your state senator and representative. Let them know that they need to get their act together and actually deal with this issue.