Dear [firstname],

Pennsylvanians deserve safe roads, lead-free pipes, high-speed internet, and airports that strengthen, not stifle, our local economy. As I’ve traveled the district, I keep hearing about and seeing firsthand what we know to be true: our infrastructure is aging. Too many in our community deal with detours and delays on their commutes, and Hurricane Ida only made matters worse. After years of promises to rebuild America, we’re finally on the way! This week, President Biden signed an historic, bipartisan infrastructure bill into law and with it made the most critical investment in our future in decades.

There has been a lot of talk about this historic achievement, so I wanted to tell you all directly how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is going to benefit Chester and Berks counties. (If you’d like to read the bill for yourself, check it out here.)  

I am beyond proud to be a part of the coalition of Democrats and Republicans who worked together to pass this long-overdue investment. The United States continues to fall short with a “C-” grade on its infrastructure report card from the American Society for Civil Engineers—our Commonwealth receives the same poor mark. As a former educator, I know it’s time to bump that score.

As you've heard me say before, working across the aisle is important to me because we are a purple, pragmatic community. This investment is both bipartisan and popular: a majority of Americans (62%!) favor the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This is a step in the right direction that will allow us to better compete in the global economy. 

Here’s a more in-depth look at all the good things headed our way:

• $1.4 billion to improve water infrastructure in the state over the next 5 years. Too many Pennsylvanians lack safe drinking water due to a long history of using lead pipes. There are still over 160,000 lead service lines in our state, and this funding represents a vital opportunity to replace these systems. Everyone deserves access to clean drinking water, and this is a positive step.

• $355 million for the development of airports in the state over the next 5 years. While the United States has historically led the world in aviation innovation, our airports fail to measure up to the competition. Beyond that, Pennsylvania ranks 13th in terms of access to public-use airports and quality. This investment will help upgrade PHL to ensure our state remains a destination—encouraging economic growth and improving ease of travel for Pennsylvanians.

• $11.3 billion to repair our highways. Pennsylvania has over 7,000 miles of highway in need of serious and immediate repairs. Over the past 10 years, poor road conditions have increased commute times approximately 7% and cost drivers an average of $620 each year. With this investment, we can rebuild our roadways to be safer, more efficient, and more resilient against natural disasters like Hurricane Ida.

• $100 million to strengthen our internet access. Our small business owners and our students know, access to a strong internet connection is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Broadband means access to remote health, work, and learning opportunities as well as the global marketplace. It is unquestionably important. Yet, 14% of Pennsylvanians don’t have reliable internet access and 3% have no broadband infrastructure at all. These funds will extend access to an estimated 394,000 people who currently lack it, helping our students, communities, and businesses stay better connected to the opportunities they need to thrive.

• $1.6 billion to rebuild our bridges. More than 3,300 bridges across the commonwealth are in poor condition. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is the single-largest dedicated bridge investment since the construction of the interstate highway system. This means safer bridges, shorter commutes, and more efficient travel.

• $2.8 billion to improve public transit options. If you rely on public transportation like SEPTA, you already know, but our system is broken. Families that commute via public transportation spend 68% more time in transit than those who drive—that’s valuable time going to waste. More than that, 25% of Pennsylvania’s public transit vehicles have been deemed ‘past their useful life’. In other words, not only are they too slow, they’re too old and put riders at risk. These funds will help us transition to more sustainable vehicles and increase circulation so that public transit is faster, easier, safer, and greener.

• $171 million to expand our access to EV charging stations. The American market for Electric Vehicles (EVs) lags behind that of strategic competitors like China—that needs to change. EVs are equipped to rely on renewable fuel sources making them more sustainable options for personal travel. By using these funds to construct more public charging stations, we can make EVs easier and more convenient to own.

• $26 million to prevent cyberattacks. We all know that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and are essential to the economic success of our district. Small businesses are also especially vulnerable to cyberattacks. This investment ensures our small businesses and our power grid are well-protected against cyberattacks. It is important to protect these vital assets and ensure that malicious actors aren’t able to darken the district.

• $3.5 billion to prepare for extreme weather due to climate change. Though this number is not Pennsylvania specific, we know that climate change doesn’t stop at state lines. In the past 10 years, our state has lost $10 billion in damages due to extreme weather events. As we continue to recover from Hurricane Ida, the time is now to prepare our community for natural disasters.

Rep. Houlahan with Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, County Commissioners and local labor leaders during a tour of the Chester County Hospital expansion. 

I know that all this talk of infrastructure can get complicated, and I’m sure you have questions. That’s why I’ve asked my team to put together an Infrastructure Telephone Town Hall so we can have a more in-depth conversation about all the different ways this will benefit you, the people of Pennsylvania. As we set a time and date, be sure to subscribe to this e-newsletter so you don’t miss our announcement when the time comes!

At a time when you may only be hearing about gridlock and polarization in Congress, I think it’s important to highlight the bipartisan collaboration that is going to bring real results to Pennsylvania. As we look forward and consider the second part of President Biden’s Agenda—the Build Back Better Act—I promise I will keep working to deliver for the people of our district.

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Stay safe and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,