Save the Pa Turnpike

I would like to thank everyone who came out to support our "Save the Turnpike" Rally. I am strongly opposed to the idea and appreciate all your support.

The proposal of leasing the Pennsylvania Turnpike to a foreign entity is nothing more than a one-time money grab by our currently-elected politicians...the same politicians who continue to spend our hard-earned money faster than we can make it. Unfortunately for the residents of Carbon County, Representative Keith McCall consistently supports Governor Rendell and his spend, spend, and spend policies, not to mention casting his YES vote to send Carbon County’s transportation infrastructure dollars to Philadelphia to subsidize SEPTA.

Many working families all across the State are struggling to pay essential bills amidst rising energy costs, runaway property taxes, and a shrinking job market. Rendell and McCall continue to cry for more money, more tolls, and more tax burdens for Pennsylvania's residents. Selling and outsourcing such an integral part of Pennsylvania to a foreign entity is a bad idea; our elected officials need to stop selling out Pennsylvania. The lease of the turnpike also means that the 2,240 turnpike employees will be subject to having their jobs outsourced.

There are other alternatives to leasing the turnpike and the tolling of I-80. The problem in Harrisburg is not a lack of tax dollars, but rather a lack of leadership. The answers to our current problems are simple. We need leaders in Harrisburg with the political courage to get the job done. This must start by controlling spending and cutting the rate of government growth. Residents of Pennsylvania need more than to just be able to survive; I want them to be able to prosper.

Doyle Heffley
Candidate for State Representatve in the 122nd District