The Political Theater of SEPTA and House Democrats

Originally published by the Delaware Valley Journal.

The Emmy might have gone to “The Pitt.” But Pennsylvania Democrats and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) deserved the award for best drama.

Let’s set the scene.

If the Pennsylvania legislature couldn’t increase funding for mass transit by Aug. 14, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) would have to cut service and raise fares.

Two days before the deadline, the Pennsylvania Senate passed an amended version of House Bill 257. The proposal would use $1.2 billion from the Pennsylvania Transportation Trust Fund (PTTF)—half of which would go toward mass transit. This solution would have provided SEPTA with immediate funds and improved safety and transparency measures,  without increasing fares or raising taxes.

Read more at the Delaware Valley Journal.