Wolf’s blight plan gains momentum

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Gov. Tom Wolf’s Restore Pennsylvania legislation to tackle blight across the state was officially introduced Wednesday.
House Bill 1585, sponsored by state Reps. Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District and Thomas Murt, R-Hatboro, has 98 co-sponsors and Senate Bill 725, sponsored by Sens. John Yudichak, D-14th District, and Tom Killion, R-Middletown, has 25 co-sponsors.
Restore Pennsylvania is Wolf’s plan to address critical infrastructure needs across Pennsylvania including helping municipalities with new development and opportunities in rural and disadvantaged areas.
The plan would help mitigate flooding, expand broadband, address blight, remediate contaminants, support green infrastructure, encourage business development and transportation projects in the state.
Funded by the monetization of a commonsense severance tax, Restore Pennsylvania will invest $4.5 billion over the next four years in significant, high-impact projects throughout the commonwealth to help catapult Pennsylvania ahead of every state in the country in terms of technology, development, and infrastructure.
Earlier this year Wolf, along with a bi-partisan group of legislators from across the state, announced the proposal, citing the need to invest in infrastructure.
Since the original announcement, Wolf and his team have visited more than 70 municipalities to gather endorsements.
Today, Wolf will participate in a walking tour of Greensburg to discuss with local officials how Restore Pennsylvania could help Westmoreland County restore blighted properties.

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