Altmire questions PAT bailout

Count Jason Altmire among those questioning Ed Rendell's 11th hour bid to forestall the budget mess (and transit cuts, layoffs and fare increases) at the Port Authority. He says the guv's plan would cut $20 million from a road project in his district, which the McCandless Democrat calls "shortsighted." From his office:

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-04) today expressed strong opposition to a proposal that would divert approximately $20 million away from the Route 228 improvement project and use that money to temporarily fund the Port Authority of Allegheny County's budget. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman Altmire has consistently fought to advance the development of Freedom Road and Route 228.

"Developing Freedom Road and Route 228 is one of the most important transportation improvement projects in our region today," Congressman Altmire said. "It would be wrong to delay this project's continued development in order to provide a tenuous, short-term fix to offset Pennsylvania's seemingly perpetual budget shortfalls. I urge the members of the Southwest Pennsylvania Commission to reject this shortsighted proposal."