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July 15, 2008; Coverage
Excerpt from:
Philadelphia Inquirer
Rendell's focus in new governors' post: Infrastructure
By Thomas Fitzgerald
Inquirer Staff Writer
Gov. Rendell took the reins of the National Governors Association yesterday with a call for the group to push for investment in the repair and improvement of the nation's roads, bridges and railways.
One of the biggest challenges, he warned, would be to overcome "incredible public skepticism and cynicism" about spending on infrastructure. To milions of Americans it has become a "pork-barrel process" that results in projects like the now-infamous Alaskan "bridge to nowhere."
...This is not Rendell’s first foray into the issue of improving infrastructure. Earlier this year, he kicked off the “Building America’s Future” campaign with Republican California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The coalition plans to work with the presidential candidates and the platform committees of the national political parties "to ensure that the next president understands the enormity of the infrastructure crisis, is committed to increasing federal funding, and that both party platforms reflect these commitments."
[The Foundation has committed to providing substantial support to Building America's Future.]
Excerpt from:
Stateline.org
Govs turn to fixing infrastructure
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA – Improving the nation’s crumbling bridges, roads and sewage systems is a $1.6 trillion problem that governors intend to address in the next year.
“It’s not the sexiest of issues, but in many ways, it’s as important as anything we do,” Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) said July 14, as he accepted the chairmanship of the National Governors Association and formally kicked off his infrastructure initiative.
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