Pennsylvania Senate Passes Flat Budget, Advances Transit Funding Bill
The budget holds spending flat amid a $213 million SEPTA deficit with ongoing disputes over the amount of new funding needed to avoid service cuts and fare hikes.
- Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Senate passed a $47.6 billion flat budget and a $292.5 million mass transit funding bill on Tuesday amid an ongoing budget impasse.
- The budget deadlock involves Governor Josh Shapiro and Democratic members of the House clashing with Senate Republicans over the levels of new expenditures and the methods of financing them.
- The transit funding bill extends the SEPTA special prosecutor's authority, mandates annual fare increases tied to inflation, and classifies assaults on transit workers as first-degree felonies.
- Senate Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin highlighted a budget gap where revenue is projected at $45 billion, but the House aims to allocate $50.5 billion, and the governor proposes $51.5 billion in spending.
- The budget impasse threatens a 21.5% SEPTA fare increase and 20% service cuts starting August 24, risking elimination of bus routes and rail service reductions before the school year.
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Guest Commentary: The current SEPTA crisis - The Philadelphia Sunday Sun
Council President Kenyatta Johnson during Philadelphia City Council’s press conference on Monday, August 26. (Photo: Christopher Mansfield/ Philadelphia City Council Communications Office) By Council President Kenyatta Johnsonand Councilmember Mike Driscoll Philadelphia and the surrounding region are in crisis that no short-term Commonwealth of Pennsylvania budget patch can solve. SEPTA is more than just a transit system; it is the lifeline of o…
SEPTA cuts: Shapiro open to using special transit fund
HARRISBURG — Gov. Josh Shapiro says he is open to using money from a special transit fund that pays for capital projects to help SEPTA reverse deep service cuts and get all of Pennsylvania’s transit agencies on solid footing. That basic idea was first broached by the Republicans who control the state Senate after a year-plus of debate. Initially, Democrats — including Shapiro — rejected it, saying the money was earmarked for critical purchases l…
Sen. Baker: Transportation, budget bills deliver dollars for PA communities
WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Wednesday said as part of budget negotiations, the Senate passed Senate Bill 160 to provide funding at the levels included in the final budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Pa. Senate GOP passes flat budget, transit funding that Dems say is a no-go as impasse continues
With the past fiscal year having ended June 30, Pennsylvania is now over six weeks without a new state budget. But if Tuesday was any indication, the core disagreements are the same as they were six months ago.
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