Toomey Applauds Decision to Eliminate
Mandate to Replace Street Signs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) commended Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for the Department of Transportation’s recent decision to eliminate a federal mandate for replacing street signs that did not comply with federal reflectivity standards.

Department of Transportation Sec. LaHood stated, “A specific deadline for replacing street signs makes no sense and would have cost communities across America millions of dollars in unnecessary expenses. After speaking with local and state officials across the country, we are proposing to eliminate these burdensome regulations. It’s just plain common sense.”

The announcement to eliminate the mandate comes after Sen. Toomey has raised concerns about the effect the street signs mandate would have on cash-strapped local budgets. In March of this year, Sen. Toomey wrote Secretary LaHood on behalf of Lower Merion Township, requesting that the “Department carefully consider the local economic impact of these new rules.” As a result of Sen. Toomey’s efforts, the Department of Transportation extended an exemption to Lower Merion Township to preserve its historically significant cast-iron street signs.

Additionally, Sen. Toomey met with local officials in the Scranton region this month to discuss their concerns over this mandate and announced he would seek legislative repeal of the mandate if the administration did not act.

“This unfunded mandate was onerous and unreasonable at this time of belt tightening and we truly appreciate Senator Toomey’s active involvement is pressuring the administration to make this change. This is one change our residents can afford!” said Virginia Kehoe, Borough Manager, Clarks Summit, Pa.

“I would like to laud Senator Toomey and his staff for bringing local government concerns to the forefront and for his efforts in addressing the unnecessary and onerous mandate instituted by the Department of Transportation. It is a significant step towards redirecting our government from a bureaucracy to a representative democracy that our founding fathers envisioned. Senator Toomey has clearly demonstrated that he is focused on addressing the appropriate use of tax dollars and the mission of our national government. Forty Fort Borough thanks him,” said Joe Chacke, President of Council, Borough of Forty Fort.

“I have been working with local elected officials in Pennsylvania and the Department of Transportation to reach a sensible solution to this burdensome mandate. I am very pleased that the administration is going to eliminate the 2018 deadline for federal street sign standards and want to commend Secretary LaHood for his understanding and responsiveness. This is reassuring news for struggling Pennsylvania communities, and I look forward to learning more from the Department of Transportation and the administration regarding this development,” said Sen. Toomey.

Comments

http://solomonswords.blogspot.com/2011/08/toomey-town-hall-meeting-to-discuss.html
Toomey is holding a town hall meeting in Coudersport on Wednesday at 1:15 pm see link above.
Anonymous said…
GREAT! Now Bradford can keep its "Historic" Street Signs. LOL

Popular posts from this blog

Woman Charged with Posting
Nude Picture on Facebook

Arrests in Operation Diamond Drop

Two Arrested on Drug Charges