Ballot Questions

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BOND INDEBTEDNESS REFERENDUM

QUESTION

Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth in the amount of $250,000,000 for use as grants and loans for construction, expansion or improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply and sewage treatment systems?

Explanation of Ballot Question

The purpose of the ballot question is to determine whether Pennsylvania voters approve of the Commonwealth borrowing $250,000,000 for use as grants and loans for the acquisition, repair, construction, expansion, extension, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure, including water supply and sewage treatment systems.

Water infrastructure consists of the systems of reservoirs, wells, water treatment facilities and equipment such as pipes, tanks, filters and pumps, which are used to collect, treat, store and supply safe drinking water for public use. Wastewater infrastructure consists of the systems of sewage treatment facilities and equipment such as pipes, tanks, filters and pumps, which are used to collect, treat, store and discharge wastewater from homes, business and industry.

The limitation of the ballot question is that it does not establish the process by which the grants and loans for water and wastewater infrastructure projects shall be made. That process must be established by act of the General Assembly.

The effect of the ballot question is only to authorize the Commonwealth to borrow up to $250,000,000 to fund grants and loans for the construction, expansion or improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure.