Dear Friends,
A little more than two weeks ago, I was writing a post about the loss of life at a Minnesota school. This week, I was horrified to hear about the shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, as well as another school shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado.
All forms of violence—whether political, ideological, or domestic—must be condemned in every sense of the word. We must also come together and demand responsible solutions to gun violence; it is long past time.
Our hearts are with the victims and their families affected by these senseless acts of gun violence. This marks the 47th school shooting in the United States so far this year—24 of which occurred on college campuses and 23 on K–12 school grounds.
Last Friday, I shared the latest updates on SEPTA in my weekly newsletter. Soon after, another development occurred that I want to bring to your attention.
While it’s a relief that full SEPTA service will resume this Sunday, September 14, allowing commuters to get to work and school, this is only a short-term fix. Once again, we are relying on a temporary patch that fails to address the broader issue: the urgent need for sustainable, statewide funding for public transportation.
This stopgap measure pulls from the Public Transit Trust Fund, redirecting capital funds meant for long-term infrastructure, vehicle replacement, and system improvements just to keep daily operations running. That’s not sustainable—and in two years, we could be facing an even more difficult and expensive crisis.
I’ve stood with you at rallies, listened to your calls, read your letters, and heard firsthand how service cuts impact your lives. That’s why my Democratic House colleagues and I have already passed five transit funding packages—each aimed at preventing these cuts, securing long-term funding, and doing so without raising taxes. Unfortunately, these solutions have stalled in the State Senate.
While services resume on September 14—with a 21.5% fare increase—we cannot become complacent! We must keep pushing for real solutions. Public transit is not just a convenience; it’s the lifeblood of our economy. Businesses may be the heart of our economy, but transit keeps them alive.
Please continue to advocate. If you or your friends and family live in the districts of Senator Frank Farry, Senator Tracy Pennycuick, or Senator Joe Picozzi, I urge you to contact them. Demand their support for long-term, sustainable funding for public transportation—not just for today, but for generations to come.
We must keep transit moving.
You can reach them here:
Senator Farry at (717) 787-5072 or (215) 638-1784,
Senator Pennycuick at (717) 787-3110 or (215) 541-2388,
Senator Picozzi at (717) 787-9608 or (215) 281-2539.
With the new school year underway, school buses are once again a regular sight on our roads. According to a 2023 survey conducted by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), it is estimated that more than 43.5 million illegal school bus passings occurred across the United States during the 2022–2023 school year.
It is essential for all motorists to understand and follow the School Bus Stopping Law to help keep our children safe, violating this law not only risks serious fines—it also puts students’ lives in danger. Please remember the following rules regarding bus safety:
- Stop at least 10 feet away from a school bus when its red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended.
- Stop in all directions—whether you are behind the bus, approaching from the front, or at an intersection where a bus is stopped.
- Remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the stop arm is withdrawn, and all children have reached a place of safety.
- Exception: If the road is physically divided by a grassy median, guardrail, or concrete barrier, oncoming traffic does not need to stop.
- Do not proceed until all children are safely out of the roadway.
Under Pennsylvania law, updated by Act 19 of 2023, school districts are authorized to install and operate automated camera systems to help enforce the School Bus Stopping Law and improve safety for students statewide. Twenty-six other states have enacted such laws.
When a violation is captured by one of these cameras, it is reviewed by law enforcement under an agreement with the school district. If confirmed, the district may issue a civil penalty to the vehicle owner, which includes a $300 fine.
These penalties are civil only—no points will be added to your driver’s license.
If you are driving in the North Penn or Wissahickon School Districts, please be aware that both districts have installed automated stop-arm cameras on school buses. These cameras record violations, and fines are issued accordingly.
Several community members have approached me regarding these citations; however, I am not able to assist with appeals. All questions and appeals must be directed to the respective school district.
While overall school bus crashes decreased last year, fatalities unfortunately increased. In 2024, school bus–related deaths accounted for 0.2% of total traffic fatalities. These numbers underscore the need for vigilance and compliance with safety laws.
PennDOT has provided a graphic on their website, of when to stop for a school bus. Your attention to this issue helps protect our students, bus drivers, and the entire community.