Rendell pushes for billion dollar bond

A billion-dollar bond issue is stuck in Harrisburg.  Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner has refused to sign off, and State Treasurer Rob McCord says he’ll consult with Republican Governor-Elect Tom Corbett before giving his approval.  The impasse could cause problems for some signifcant regional projects.

In Philadelphia , the bonds would help pay for part of the the Barnes Museum construction and improvements at the Free Library and Constitution Center, and the new Family Court building.  Gary Tuma is spokesman for Governor Ed Rendell.  He says there is no reason to stop the bond issue, and plenty of reasons to proceed.

“One of the reasons we wanted to do it now was to get the money in place but also because under the Building America bonds, which is a federal program, the federal government subsidizes on new bond issues that we would be able to do right now,” Tuma says. “Unfortunately that Building America bond program expires on December 31st.”

Groups involved in the bond issue are cautious about speaking on the matter at this point, rather taking a wait and see attitude until something happens.  Tuma says there is enough state money to continue paying for the projects through February of next year.