Pennsylvania Democrats in Delaware County lament the ongoing budget deadlock, urging for SEPTA funding prior to the Senate's return.
The Pennsylvania Senate will reconvene on Monday in Harrisburg with a pressing task at hand: delivering a much-delayed budget. Amidst this, the Senate's focus is also on addressing the $213 million funding crisis facing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
State Sen. Tim Kearney has called for real, sustainable funding for schools and SEPTA. In a bid to highlight the urgency of the situation, Delaware County's Democratic legislators gathered at the Lansdowne Avenue Trolley Station.
SEPTA's funding crisis has far-reaching implications. Many students in underfunded districts like Upper Darby and William Penn rely on SEPTA to navigate their neighborhoods. Unfortunately, both these districts are affected by the budget impasse and SEPTA's funding crisis.
Dr. Dan McGarry, superintendent of the Upper Darby School District, has stated that budget delays could jeopardize extracurricular activities. If SEPTA's service is cut, the impact will ripple across every corner of Pennsylvania.
The situation has divided lawmakers along party lines. While some argue for prioritizing SEPTA's funding, others question the necessity of increased spending. State Rep. Gina Curry, however, sees SEPTA as more than just a transportation service. According to Curry, SEPTA is a lifeline that connects communities, fuels the economy, and ensures people can get where they need to go.
A compromise seems necessary to find a solution for SEPTA's funding. Moody's Ratings has already downgraded its financial outlook for SEPTA, and a judge has ordered SEPTA to halt its planned service cuts. However, without a sustainable funding solution, the crisis is likely to continue.
The budget impasse is causing harm to smaller safety net programs across Pennsylvania as well. As the Senate prepares to reconvene, the urgency of finding a solution for both the budget impasse and SEPTA's funding crisis cannot be overstated. Kearney warns that SEPTA's cuts will harm disadvantaged communities the most, underscoring the need for a swift and equitable resolution.
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