Siegel calls on Senate Republicans and Sen. Jarrett Coleman to do their jobs
Demands vote on budget and funding for public transit
Northeast Delegation August 11, 2025 | 11:13 AM
ALLENTOWN, Aug. 11 – State Rep. Josh Siegel, along with his House Democratic colleagues, for the fifth time led on funding public transit and bridges and roads and investing in all communities in Pennsylvania -- from small towns to big cities, and rural and urban areas alike – by voting for H.B. 1788, a bipartisan transportation bill that passed the PA House today.
“Senate Republicans and Senator Jarrett Coleman are holding Pennsylvania’s economy hostage and threatening the livelihoods of millions of Pennsylvania residents, cutting people off from their jobs, health care and education,” said Siegel. “Public transit is a public good, it enables our businesses to thrive, connects seniors and veterans to health care and students to the classroom. Senate Republicans need to stop playing politics with people’s lives and pass this funding.”
Today’s House-passed transit package would fund transit without raising taxes, provide the most significant transit funding increase in more than 10 years with a total of $1.5 billion over the next five years, support and protect jobs across Pennsylvania, and deliver more funding to repair roads and bridges, Siegel said.
“This legislation includes the accountability standards that have been repeatedly demanded by Republican leadership in exchange for funding,” said Siegel. “This legislation would ensure that SEPTA and PRT are subjected to additional oversight around their procedures so taxpayers can feel confident in this investment. If Republicans are serious about these measures and are not simply playing games, there are no further excuses for not stepping up.”
Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority is projected to face deficits of $8 million for the bus system without the state funding.
“Senator Coleman needs to tell his leadership that the 11,000 Lehigh Valley residents who ride LANTA daily shouldn’t be sacrificed on the altar of political theater,” said Siegel.
Without adequate state funding, LANTA is calling for a 20% cut in its fixed routes and a 25% hike in its fares.
“Make no mistake, if Senate Republicans and Senator Coleman allow public transportation to fail, they’re committing economic arson and a self-created disaster. Pennsylvania’s economy will falter, jobs and revenue will be lost, and other critical services like education, mental health and addiction treatment will suffer in the fallout. Senate Republicans are being reckless and self-destructive,” said Siegel.
House Bill 1788 passed in the House 108-95, and now heads to the state Senate for consideration.