PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania House is being called into session this weekend to pass a mass transit funding bill. Gov. Josh Shapiro and other Democratic lawmakers from Southeastern Pennsylvania are urging Republicans in the State Senate to work with them as SEPTA’s deadline for service cuts is one week away.
SEPTA has said if funding isn’t in place by Aug. 14, it will begin steps for massive service cuts that will go into effect on Aug. 24.
Bucks County Republican Senator Steve Santasiero said people in Southeastern PA need to make their voices heard on SEPTA and mass transit funding:
“They need to make sure that, particularly the Republican majority in the State Senate, hears how important funding for mass transit is,” he said.
Santasiero said not only will the service cuts affect students, commuters, and businesses who rely on SEPTA, but also drastically increase traffic on major roads including I-95, 76, and 476.
The new bill under consideration includes Senate Republican wishes like increased funding for rural roads and highways, and increased state oversight of SEPTA.
Shapiro said the State House has passed a mass transit funding bill four times.
“And the Senate has failed to act on it even once,” Shapiro said.
The State Senate has not announced any additional voting sessions, but Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said they remain on a 24-hour callback as budget negotiations continue behind closed doors.
In November, Shapiro moved $153 million of federal highway funds to SEPTA to block service cuts. He was evasive when asked if that was an option again, and said his administration has put options on the table for the legislature.
“They need to pick one of those options,” said Shapiro. “We need recurring revenue. It needs to be done on an ongoing basis.”