Rendell Criticizes Dems In Pa. House For Abandoning Transport Funding Bill
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- Former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell is pulling no punches with state House members of his own party today, blaming Democrats for last night's defeat of legislation to provide major new funding for roads, bridges, and mass transit (see related story).
Transportation funding was one of Rendell's biggest initiatives and biggest frustrations during his eight years as governor. Now he's pointing the finger at House Democrats, saying they want to deny Republican governor Tom Corbett a win and are wrongly concerned about GOP provisions regarding prevailing wage restrictions for government-funded projects.
"I think it's a little of both," Rendell told KYW Newsradio this morning. "But I think in the end it's that they're wusses and they're afraid of going against part of organized labor. But the laborers' union was there, the electricians' union was there supporting this bill. The building trades -– Pat Gillespie was there. I mean, it's a disgraceful performance by our Democrats."
Rendell says he's particularly disappointed with Montgomery County Democrats, all but one of whom, Tim Briggs, voted against the transportation funding amendment.
