From Staff Writer Lauren Daley:

City councilor and potential mayoral rival Bill Peduto slammed Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today for his criticism of potentially using RAD dollars to help fund the Port Authority.

In a statement, Peduto praised county executive Rich Fitzgerald who proposed using $3 million from the Regional Asset District to supplement an additional $1.5 million of county drink tax money to fund mass transit, as part of a deal hammered out with the state and transit agency to avert a 35% service cut.

“County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has crafted a creative plan that has garnered support from ATU 85, the corporate community, the Port Authority and state leaders,” Peduto said. “….The goal to use $3 million in RAD funds, just 3% of the plan's funding, will protect the region’s most significant asset. At the same time, County Executive Fitzgerald has pledged that no cultural organization will see a reduction in funding as a result.”

He went on to say he was “disappointed” in Ravenstahl “for undermining the hard work that has been done to create this plan. We have known about looming cuts that would devastate the region for the past several years. Rather than working cooperatively with the state, county, and transit union to develop a sustainable plan to save this critical economic and social asset, Mayor Ravenstahl simply attacks the plan. County Executive Fitzgerald's plan is built on teamwork - everyone giving a little, so our region can gain a lot. I am hopeful that Mayor Ravenstahl will move from the sidelines and join the team. ”

Peduto's complete statement is after the jump:

Our Region’s Future

PITTSBURGH— The following is a statement from City Councilman William Peduto on the plan to restore the proposed Port Authority transit cuts.
“Public transportation is the single most important issue facing our region. Our new economy relies on a transportable workforce. The ed-med economy of Oakland, located in my council district, is Pennsylvania’s third largest daily economic generator (behind downtown Philadelphia and downtown Pittsburgh) and requires thousands of workers to take public transportation 24hours per day.”

“County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has crafted a creative plan that has garnered support from ATU 85, the corporate community, the Port Authority and state leaders. The transit union deserves tremendous credit for stepping forward with $60 million in concessions, to protect not only their fellow employees, but this entire region. Additionally, the state has committed an additional $35 million and the County pledged $1.5 million. The goal to use $3 million in RAD funds, just 3% of the plan's funding, will protect the region’s most significant asset. At the same time, County Executive Fitzgerald has pledged that no cultural organization will see a reduction in funding as a result.”

“I am disappointed in Mayor Ravenstahl for undermining the hard work that has been done to create this plan. We have known about looming cuts that would devastate the region for the past several years. Rather than working cooperatively with the state, county, and transit union to develop a sustainable plan to save this critical economic and social asset, Mayor Ravenstahl simply attacks the plan. County Executive Fitzgerald's plan is built on teamwork - everyone giving a little, so our region can gain a lot. I am hopeful that Mayor Ravenstahl will move from the sidelines and join the team. ”