PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - In a ceremony that lasted less than an hour, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald took the Oath of Office and delivered his final inaugural address.
In that speech he laid out goals to improve transportation, education and worker skills.
Later talking to reporters, Fitzgerald praised the economic development that has happened in the county in recent years.
"But we've got to make sure that it's for everybody," said Fitzgerald. "That it's an inclusive economy that includes people that have been left behind in the past. And a lot of that will be around transportation. We've got to improve our transportation system."
The executive specifically mentioned the Bus Rapid Transit system in development between Downtown and Oakland. And he talked about the need for better connections to the airport area.
"You've got the job growth that going to occur when the petrochemical plant comes on line in a few years and we start to see manufacturing grow out there."
Fitzgerald also wants to see a county-wide pre-K system that better prepares all small children to read and learn. He says it's happening in some communities but not in others where the tax base doesn't exist.
He says he will spend the next four years pressing state lawmakers for a more equitable school funding system.
"The fact that when we use property to fund everything (in the schools) it's a disincentive for investment to come in here, " said Fitzgerald. "And we don't want that to happen."
Fitzgerald is the first county executive to be elected to a third term. It will be his last. He is term-limited in the Home Rule Charter. But when asked he said it was too early to know what he will do as his term nears an end.
"I want to make sure during the next four year that we get things done," said Fitzgerald. "I just hope I'm in good health, my family's in good health. I know one thing that happens, there will be change. Change always occurs."
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