In the 168th, that means our three school districts are still waiting for the $61 million they’re owed in state funding.
Teachers begin returning to school in mid-August. If school districts have to borrow money to keep operations moving, they will get paid back when a budget is reached -- but who pays the interest? If they don't take out loans, who pays? -- the taxpayers. But sadly, it is our teachers and students who will bear the brunt of a protracted budget impasse.
At the center of this impasse is the state Senate, which needs to listen to taxpayers and come back to Harrisburg to pass a budget.
When it comes to funding SEPTA and PA’s other public transit authorities, it’s the same story. SEPTA’s drastic service cuts are slated to begin in about 3 weeks, but instead of meaningfully working on our road & transit funding bill, a small group of Senators introduced an “alternative funding” plan for SEPTA. But that legislation doesn’t actually have to do with funding! Instead, it claims that internal performance issues at SEPTA have led to its current situation (not true!) and proposes accountability measures that SEPTA already takes.
In fact, SEPTA is regarded as one of the most efficient public transit systems in the country.