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This place is an amazing place to hike.
Founded in 1970, the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust is a nonprofit land trust headquartered in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. The Trust is staffed by professionals and volunteers dedicated to the stewardship of the lands that are protected by the Trust in its Pennypack Preserve natural area. The Trust offers a variety of programs and services including, but not limited to:
- Trails in the Preserve open free to the public to explore
and enjoy the natural world all year long - Professionally managed natural area restoration
- Urban deer herd management
- Volunteer training
- Meeting facilities for community organizations
- Professional education and internships
The Price of Inaction: An Analysis of Economic Impacts Associated with SEPTA's FY 2008 Operating Budget "Plan B" Alternative
Executive Summary
As of May 2007, SEPTA has a budget shortfall of $129.6 million. Without a source of funding that can balance the transit organization's budget this summer, SEPTA would be forced to implement "Plan B," which would cut service by 20 percent and increase fares by 31 percent.
The Economy League worked with Econsult Corporation to analyze the economic impacts of Plan B on individuals, businesses, governments and the region's overall competitiveness. The analysis builds upon generally accepted data sets and research models including SEPTA's ridership figures, Delaware Valley Planning Commission congestion modeling, Philadelphia Tax Reform Commission work, and U.S. Census data.
It isn't surprising Pennsylvania wants to offload its shabby 66-year-old turnpike. What is shocking, though, is that nearly 50 firms, including a few of Wall Street's finest, should want to lease the highway. True, not all will end up bidding. But this is a sure sign that the infrastructure frenzy, which has been going strong in Europe over the past couple of years, has spread to America.
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The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission, directed in 2005 to examine the funding crisis plaguing Pennsylvania’s highway, bridge and transit systems, had produced a preliminary report of its inital findings. The Transportation Funding and Reform Commission has completed its final report in November. The full report can be viewed as a PDF by clicking on the cover of the report below.
A report recommends raising the gas tax 12.5 cents a gallon for roads, bridges and transit.
Inquirer Staff Writer
HARRISBURG - Higher gas taxes. Steeper car registration fees. Hikes in local realty transfer taxes, wage taxes or sales taxes. Perhaps even a lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
That politically risky prescription for fixing Pennsylvania's crumbling network of roads and bridges and ailing public transit was presented to state legislators yesterday by a bipartisan advisory commission. At least $1.7 billion in new funding annually, the panel said, is needed to prop up the transportation system.
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