SEPTA, Shapiro, and House Dems Own This Budget Stalemate

Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal.

The Pennsylvania budget is, once again, late. Budget negotiations have come to a standstill over one issue: bailing out the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

So, who is derailing negotiations? Who is to blame for this political stalemate? Unfortunately, we have several culprits.

First and foremost, the budget impasse started with Gov. Josh Shapiro. Last year, Shapiro diverted $153 million in federal highway funding to SEPTA, forcing millions of Pennsylvanians to subsidize trains and buses they’ll never ride. And though the governor claimed that this would be a one-time payment, everybody knew that SEPTA would be back again the following year, demanding more money.

Read more at the Delaware Valley Journal.