The Arlen Specter Library would be built at Philadelphia University in the city's East Falls section, where Specter lives. The John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy would be at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, in the district Democrat Murtha represented in Congress for 36 years before his death on Feb. 8, at age 77.
Rendell's $298 million capital budget, financed by state-issued construction bonds, includes $10 million each for the proposed repositories. He plans to sign that budget, details of which were made public last week.
Speaking to reporters after Tuesday's event, the governor defended the two projects and the capital budget in general as ways to keep Pennsylvanians employed during the recession.
"Both are great construction projects," he said. He called the planned library and policy center "an investment in jobs" and said such public works helped keep Pennsylvania's economy stronger than most states' in the region.
Rendell spokesman Gary Tuma cautioned that neither project is a done deal, and that the money is contingent on the projects' being "shovel ready," and on the two colleges' ability to raise matching funds.
Of the Specter library, Rendell said the East Falls site was appropriate because the school is in Specter's neighborhood - also Rendell's neighborhood. He described the project as a renovation and expansion of the college's existing library space.
Republicans immediately assailed the governor for designating $20 million to honor two congressional power brokers, both renowned for their ability to secure federal funds for projects back home, as well as their prowess at raising campaign money.
