Governor Tom Corbett announced today that he has signed an executive order creating a Transportation Funding Advisory Commission to develop innovative solutions to Pennsylvania's mounting transportation funding challenges.

"We need a comprehensive, strategic blueprint for how we pay for years of underinvestment in our roads, bridges, and mass transit systems, and I have directed PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch to lead the commission to explore our financial options," Corbett said."Pennsylvanians expect and deserve to have a transportation system that improves not just their safety, but their overall quality of life. The time has come to put a financial plan in place that not only addresses our transportation needs but also takes into account our nation's energy objectives and realities."The governor tasked the group to make its recommendations by Aug. 1. The panel's first meeting will be on April 25. Named to the commission were:Patrick Henderson - Commonwealth Energy ExecutiveMichael Krancer - acting Secretary, Department of Environmental ProtectionAlan Walker - Secretary, Department of Community & Economic DevelopmentCharles Zogby - Commonwealth Budget SecretaryJanet Anderson - Northwest Regional Planning and Development CommissionRichard Barcaskey - Constructors Association of Western PennsylvaniaJohn Brenner - Pennsylvania League of Cities and MunicipalitiesTom Caramanico - McCormick Taylor Inc.J. Randolph Cheetham - CSX TransportationJames Decker - Stroud TownshipJoe DeMott - McKean County commissionerRichard Farr - Pennsylvania Public Transit Association/York County Transportation AuthorityMike Fesen - Norfolk Southern Corp.Michael Flanagan - Clinton County Economic PartnershipElam Herr - Pennsylvania State Association of Township SupervisorsDale High - High Industries, Inc.Kevin Johnson - SEPTARobert Kinsley - Kinsley Construction Co.Robert Latham - Associated Pennsylvania ConstructorsFrederick LaVancher - Tioga CountyTom Lawson - Borton-Lawson Architecture & EngineeringTed Leonard - Pennsylvania AAA FederationBrad Mallory - Michael Baker Corp.Ron Marino - Citigroup InfrastructureHugh Mose - Centre Area Transportation AuthorityRoss Myers - American InfrastructureTim Reddinger - Clarion County commissionerCarol Rein - Bank of America/Merrill LynchJim Runk - Pennsylvania Motor Truck AssociationRobert Shaffer - Aviation Advisory Committee/ Dubois AirportCraig Shuey - Pennsylvania Turnpike CommissionJeff Stover - SEDA-COG Joint Rail AuthorityRob Wonderling - Philadelphia Chamber of CommerceDennis Yablonsky - Pittsburgh Chamber of CommerceJeff Zell - Zell Engineers, Inc."I am grateful to all the commission members for contributing their time, knowledge and insight to helping Pennsylvania move toward a new decade of transportation improvements," said Schoch. "I am committed to delivering a sound and effective blueprint for funding our state's transportation investments that benefits our economy and our residents."The commission's materials can be found at

www.tfac.pa.gov or at the PennDOT website,

www.dot.state.pa.us, under the TFAC button. The commission also has established an email address, tfac@state.pa.us to accept public comments.The commission's first meeting was held April 25.