Acknowledging the escalating problems in economically-challenged communities across the state, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats Tuesday discussed their plans to address a wide range of problems impacting aging and distressed cities.

The "Growth, Progress & Sustainability" or GPS plan focuses on developing new policies that foster cooperation while addressing and strengthening the core of distressed communities."The reality is instead of planning for growth and economic development, many cities are contemplating bankruptcy," state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) said. "We could no longer stand back and watch while the rich heritage of Pennsylvania erodes amid shrinking tax revenues and tax bases."Costa said the intention of the plan is to help transform communities and bring some much needed light to the end of the tunnel."Pennsylvania needs a new road map to help our cities and our towns," said state Sen. John Wozniak (D-Cambria). "Communities are struggling - from Scranton to Harrisburg and Reading to Johnstown and all places in between. Today we're presenting the GPS plan to serve as a foundation to address the issues and transform our cities and communities."State Sen. John Yudichak (D-Carbon/Luzerne/Monroe) joined his fellow colleagues, saying that communities in our area are at a breaking point because of the state and federal budget cuts."The GPS plan calls for leaders at all levels of government to look at new solutions," said Yudichak. "The discussions must include local government reform, new economic development strategies and stronger incentives to foster municipal cooperation and regionalization of services."Senate Democrats are committed to working with local leaders to further develop the GPS plan, which highlights broad areas of legislative interest.The areas outlined include:• Economic development• Rebuilding the local tax base• Urban blight• Crime/Public Safety Initiatives• Education and workforce development• Modernizing and streamlining local government to reduce costs• Act 47 and Local government Unit Debt ActAccording to Senate Democrats, many of the identified communities continue to face huge obstacles as each attempts to provide government services at a time when tax revenues and tax bases are shrinking. They said that they recognize no solution can be effective or lasting without addressing each of the interconnected parts outlined in the plan and understanding how they affect residents.