Referendum Ballot Question
"Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth of $400,000,000 for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the cost of all labor, materials, necessary operational machinery and equipment, lands, property, rights and easements, plans and specifications, surveys, estimates of costs and revenues, prefeasibility studies, engineering and legal services and all other expenses necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of drinking water system, storm water, nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects?"
Synopsis
This referendum will allow the government of Pennsylvania to borrow $400,000,000 ($400 million) to make grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of drinking water system, storm water and nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects.
A "Yes" vote is to approve the bond, a "No" vote is to maintain the status quo.
Background Ballotpedia ...
[Link]
Supporters of the referendum argue:
* $400 million is only a small portion of the almost $20 billion needed to ensure clean water and consumer safety.
* This year the federal budget
[More...]
Referendum Ballot Question
"Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth of $400,000,000 for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the cost of all labor, materials, necessary operational machinery and equipment, lands, property, rights and easements, plans and specifications, surveys, estimates of costs and revenues, prefeasibility studies, engineering and legal services and all other expenses necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of drinking water system, storm water, nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects?"
Synopsis
This referendum will allow the government of Pennsylvania to borrow $400,000,000 ($400 million) to make grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of drinking water system, storm water and nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects.
A "Yes" vote is to approve the bond, a "No" vote is to maintain the status quo.
Background Ballotpedia ...
[Link]
Supporters of the referendum argue:
* $400 million is only a small portion of the almost $20 billion needed to ensure clean water and consumer safety.
* This year the federal budget cut $42 million in state water and sewer funding as municipalities are facing expensive improvements due to new EPA regulations.
* Those in favor of the bond believe making more funds available to municipalities will create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Critics of the referendum argue:
* The question facing voters is less about whether Pennsylvania needs additional funding for water and sewer infrastructure, but whether the state needs additional revenue to pay for it.
* Pennsylvanians already owe $110 billion in state debt, not including the additional $3 billion passed in the 2008-09 state budget.
* Opponents are skeptical of taking on new debt in the current economic climate given the legislature's history of spending.
[Less...]
2,879,592 (62.27%)