Pennsylvania Senate Passes Flat Budget, Advances Transit Funding Bill
The budget holds spending flat amid a $213 million SEPTA deficit with ongoing disputes over the amount of new funding needed to avoid service cuts and fare hikes.
- Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Senate passed a $47.6 billion flat budget and a $292.5 million mass transit funding bill on Tuesday amid an ongoing budget impasse.
- The budget deadlock involves Governor Josh Shapiro and Democratic members of the House clashing with Senate Republicans over the levels of new expenditures and the methods of financing them.
- The transit funding bill extends the SEPTA special prosecutor's authority, mandates annual fare increases tied to inflation, and classifies assaults on transit workers as first-degree felonies.
- Senate Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin highlighted a budget gap where revenue is projected at $45 billion, but the House aims to allocate $50.5 billion, and the governor proposes $51.5 billion in spending.
- The budget impasse threatens a 21.5% SEPTA fare increase and 20% service cuts starting August 24, risking elimination of bus routes and rail service reductions before the school year.
41 Articles
41 Articles
Sen. Baker: Transportation, budget bills deliver dollars for PA communities
WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker on Wednesday said as part of budget negotiations, the Senate passed Senate Bill 160 to provide funding at the levels included in the final budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Pa. Senate GOP passes flat budget, transit funding that Dems say is a no-go as impasse continues
With the past fiscal year having ended June 30, Pennsylvania is now over six weeks without a new state budget. But if Tuesday was any indication, the core disagreements are the same as they were six months ago.
Pennsylvania Senate passes flat budget, advances transit funding bill
Pennsylvania's Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday passed a $47.6 billion budget bill and a measure expending reserve dollars primarily used for capital projects to increase funding for mass transit
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 52% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium