[PRCo] Re: why is it so quiet?

[Derrick J Brashear]

So after typing this, I see it's become a political rant.

So I'll just tell you they all suck, and I hate them all, it's easier
that way. If you don't want to see me rant, I'll suggest you delete now,
or send me hate mail telling me to never, ever do it again.

On Tue, 8 Apr 2003, John Swindler wrote:

> And what about the county commissioners??  In the end, it is the county
> commissioners, through appointment of PAT board members and setting local
> subsidy payment levels, that determine PAT service levels and fare
> structure.  That has nothing to do with state nor federal government.

Sure, but I bet the workers won't show up to drive their trips if there's
no money to pay them, so why bother setting a service level you can't pay
for? But that wasn't your point:

> But since all politics are local, it is politically correct for local press
> to blame entities that are outside Allegheny County.  How much are Allegheny
> County residents willing to pay in local property taxes and wage taxes to
> support low transit fares and high service levels??

Well, let's use the Hempfield Township* (Westmoreland County) approach:
"I pay my state taxes just like you, I have this coming to me"

As not an Allegheny County resident I cannot opt to vote for someone who
will raise my taxes to pay for transit. I'd vote for a regional
transit agency if given the chance. Likewise, it's not clear to me
that it's not the state's fault. I'll bet Allegheny County has a more
favorable (to transit) ratio of spending on transit to highways than the
state does. But you're in a better position to know that than I am.

I can't vote anyone in Allegheny County out. If Rendell does nothing for
me, I can try to vote him out, and guess what?

-D

*Hempfield, with 2 malls, admittedly one of them about to be demolished,
and a pile of major stores, refuses to pay for its own police force,
instead letting the State Police patrol it.