Avillo news release

AVILLO PRAISES LOCAL LEADERSHIP, SUGGESTS CAPITAL
INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN TO EASE STRESS

"With bipartisan leadership like Mayor John Brenner, York County Commissioner Doug Hoke, Camp Hill Mayor Lou Thieblemont, Dover Area School Board Director Rick Dapp and many others, I'm optimistic we can work out an effective economic plan for local communities." Avillo said.

(York, PA) -- "Based on discussions with local leadership this week, we will face real economic challenges across Adams, York and Cumberland counties moving forward," Congressional Candidate Dr. Phil Avillo said today.

"We will be pressed for resources, but our public officials are well prepared for the problem, and I certainly will move forward immediately in the new Congress to channel resources into the 19th Congressional District if elected next month."

Pointing to a recent economic leadership symposium, which he chaired in York this week, Dr. Avillo said, "the future of capital loan markets remains uncertain and this uncertainty pressures our local leadership, faced with an eroding tax base and escalating costs, to be very cautious moving forward."

Avillo pointed to Gov. Rendell's recent belt tightening measures to restrain state expenditures. "We're also seeing local school rehabilitation projects placed on hold, municipal infrastructure improvements, like road resurfacing, canceled; and even county retirement home and pension funding pressured -- all now exasperated by the widening loan crisis."

Avillo noted York City Mayor John Brenner will face financial pressure because his city is dependent on credit to carry cash flow needs through cyclical tax revenue cycles. "Mayor Brenner is an outstanding and creative leader in a challenged economy like this," Dr. Avillo noted. "When the public can trust its elected leadership, citizen anxiety is reduced. However, our local officials are going to need more regional, state and federal support." He added.

"This current economic problem is worsening in part because public confidence in the Bush administration and its supporters in Congress has completely collapsed."

Meanwhile, Avillo said, "Banks, bond traders, and other loan institutions are becoming grid locked as the result of years of waste and regulatory neglect and confusion by Congress."

He said "The result is loan capital is drying up, with many banks standing on the sidelines, reluctant to commit capital because they're uncertain about government intervention, and not sure where to find the best return on their investment."

Avillo suggested a creative approach to local and regional capitalization.

"I'd like to see new investment capital pools developed -- directed toward funding local government at every level, to provide a steady flow of infrastructure funding to expand organized, balanced, community development, while guaranteeing a modest, but safe, return on the capital investment." He said.

"I think with some creative leadership at the district and federal level, we can make that happen."

Avillo said if elected to Congress, he will work with local leadership throughout the 19th District, as well as local and regional financial and loan institutions and private capital, to create a community infrastructure development authority to help coordinate public and private capital resources in Adams, York, and Cumberland counties.

"Remember," Avillo added, "the words of a great president who faced a similar, if not worse, situation in the last century -- 'The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself'."

A noted historian and community leader, Dr. Avillo said with a strong, district-wide plan focused on people and communities, "we will work through this difficult period together."