Gov. Tom Corbett will criss-cross the state today to officially ink the bill that will provide $2.4 billion in funding to fix the state's crumbling roads and bridges, and prop up mass transit, including SEPTA.
In this region, the governor will make a stop in Norristown at 12:30 p.m., near the intersetion of Route 363 (Trooper Road) and Route 422.
There was a lot of talk last week that the governor might come here to Delaware County to sign the bill.
That's because this bill does not happen without the efforts of state Rep. Nick Micozzie, R-163, of Upper Darby. Micozzie is the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee. And it was up to him to get this measure through the treacherous waters of Harrisburg.
Mizozzie was crestfallen last week when his amendment was rejected twice by the House. He was left dumbfounded at some of the resistance, including from some in his own party.
But on Tuesday, he got one more shot, and it passed.
I hope Micozzie is standing next to Corbett when the governor puts his signature on the bill.
Corbett, facing a rough re-election campaign himself next year, desperately needed a legislative victory to prop up his sagging ratings. His push for privatization of the state liquor sales stalled, and his push for touch action to get the state's two massive public pension funds back on even footing went nowhere.
The governor put all his marbles in the transportation funding fight.
And he has Nick Micozzie to thank for getting it done.
Now all he has to do is explain how those increased prices at the pump do not betray his no-tax-hike pledge.
I'm not sure Nick even can help the governor with that one.
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