Pa. lawmakers They were under pressure to quickly reach an agreement on transit financing

HARRISBURG – State AFL-CIO and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Democrats and Republicans. Transit systems from every corner of Pennsylvania, urban and rural, and Associated Highway Contractors. President of the Transportation Workers Union Local 234, hand in hand with the CEO and CEO of SEPTA. Democrats and Republicans.

These sometimes rivals united on the steps of the Capitol on Tuesday to implore lawmakers to reach an agreement on state transportation funding that would protect public transit systems like SEPTA from deep service cuts.

“Everyone is coming together because we understand how important infrastructure is to the community,” said Anselm Sauter, vice president of regional advocacy at the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, which has made securing transit funding a top lobbying priority.

The broad coalition reflected a growing consensus that the solution could be a grand bargain that combines more mass transit funding with recent state money for roads and bridges that are in needy condition in many places.

“We are in crisis. We are at a crossroads,” Sauter told the crowd of about 250 people standing in the gentle rain to raise their voices. “We must invest in our transportation infrastructure or Pennsylvania will fall behind, lose jobs, and spiral into a tailspin.”

SEPTA entered this year with a $240 million operating budget deficit as federal American Rescue Plan funds for the pandemic dried up. Representatives of smaller transit agencies based in northwestern Pennsylvania and York testified earlier in the day before the state Senate Transportation Committee that they are struggling with their own financial problems as they recover from the pandemic.

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The Democratic-controlled House, by a one-vote majority, passed Governor Shapiro’s proposal to pump $283 million into the Public Transportation Trust Fund by increasing the annual allocation of state sales tax revenues it receives. This would generate approximately $161 million for SEPTA in fiscal year 2025.

Senate Republican leaders have insisted that any recent mass transit funding must include spending on highway and bridge infrastructure and other transportation needs such as regional and local airports. The Senate did not vote on the Shapiro plan, so it was not included in the state budget passed in July.

“Speak up! Call and vote!” the crowd chanted along with “Union Power” and “Do your part! Do your job!” — the latter sent to the Senate.

Philadelphia Transportation Workers Local 234, SEPTA’s largest union, held a rally scheduled for the first day of the General Assembly’s abbreviated pre-election session. It attracted construction unions from across the state, whose members would get jobs thanks to increased spending on bridges and roads, the Pittsburgh Joint Transit Union, and legislators from both parties.

“We are calling on lawmakers to convene now in October while there is still time,” said Leslie S. Richards, CEO and CEO of SEPTA, standing next to TWU Local 234 President Brian Pollitt. “Raise your voice and let us know that you are ready to work until the last minute.”

Lawmakers included stopgap funding in the budget that allocated $80.5 million for highways and bridges and $80.5 million for transit. SEPTA received $46 million plus $6.9 million in local matching funds from Philadelphia and four suburban counties.

It is unclear whether there will be enough time to prepare a comprehensive transport financing bill supporting bridges, roads and transit before the parliament adjourns on November 30. (It removes itself after next week so senators and representatives can go to their districts to campaign.)

Most people working on the issue, including lawmakers, are skeptical that an agreement can be reached quickly. First, there is no consensus on which revenue stream (or combination of revenue streams) to operate. Some GOP senators who hold the balance of power on the issue are trying to pass legislation that would regulate and tax skill games – but there are internal disagreements over how to do it.

Arcade games are similar to the slot machines that appeared in bars, taverns, convenience stores and corner wine bars. They exist in a legal gray zone and it is unknown how many of them are operational.

Still, there is growing support for reaching an agreement, perhaps early next year during budget negotiations. It’s unclear whether SEPTA and other transit agencies can wait that long without having to cut service and raise fares.

Pittsburgh bus driver Karima K. Howard addressed lawmakers both at the rally and those behind her in the Capitol building.

“We show people around. You were elected by the people and for the people,” said Howard, vice president of ATU Local 85. “Once again, do your thing so we can go and do our thing.”