The Brookings Institution has just released an important report highlighting what it considers the sorry state of the state of Pennsylvania -- giving reasons why we're doing so badly and making recommendations. Interestingly, Brookings is holding a series of public forums on its findings and conclusions, but none in Philadelphia
The problem is basically suburban SPRAWL. Haven't had time to read the whole Brookings report, but oddly enough they seem to think there's a solution. Personally it doesn't seem to me that there's any hope until the extensive expanding suburbs begin to choke in their own vomit and are forced to do something about it.
>From the Inky:
"Brookings documented wide state spending disparities between established communities and newer "outer townships," with the former getting short shrift. Through one administration after another, the report says, the state poured resources into the construction of highways, schools and sewer and water systems in undeveloped, outlying areas, which then quickly became developed.
For instance: Since the late 1990s, per-capita state spending on roads in outer townships has been almost double the amount given to older areas. Meanwhile, other projects in newer communities have been favored, as well, by the state's seven major economic-development programs."
Ross Bender
http://rossbender.org
