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Senate Approves Interim Transit Funding
HARRISBURG -- The
Pennsylvania State Senate today approved Senate Bill 199, legislation by Senator
Robert J. Thompson, R-Chester and Montgomery, that would provide an additional
$22 million to Pennsylvania’s mass transit organizations.
SB 199 is now headed to the State House of
Representatives for consideration.
“This is an interim measure that will allow some
breathing room for us to work on a more comprehensive transportation funding
package,” Senator Thompson said. “As a former Chairman of SEPTA, I recognize
the many issues facing transit operations across the state. We must balance
these issues with the other needs facing the Commonwealth as we work to develop
a long-term solution.”
Currently, mass transit operations receive 1.22
percent of revenues generated by Pennsylvania’s sales tax, up to a maximum of
$75 million. Senator Thompson’s legislation temporarily lifts that cap, a move
that is expected to provide an additional $22 million.
“At this point, a long-term transportation solution,
including mass transit funding, will likely have to be negotiated as part of the
budget process,” Senator Thompson said. “That is especially true since the
Governor did not propose a solution as part of his 2005-06 budget.”
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