Republicans question need to fund SEPTA - PhillyBlog

pennengineer · #1 (**permalink**) 12-26-2004, 08:26 AM

State House Republicans: going out of their way to screw us.

Quote:

SEPTA funding plan suddenly put in doubt

By Marcia Gelbart

Inquirer Staff Writer

The special legislative session that Gov. Rendell has called for next month on mass transit funding could be briefer than he expects.

At least that's the warning of House Majority Leader Samuel H. Smith (R., Jefferson), who said he and his fellow Republican leaders questioned the need to hold any session.

Rendell wants the session, scheduled to begin Jan. 18, so that lawmakers can work to find a permanent funding source for mass transit agencies statewide. In Philadelphia, SEPTA has a $62 million budget deficit.

But Smith, in a letter to Rendell Thursday, said he believed the fiscal problems had been solved with plans for fare increases and service cuts in Philadelphia that SEPTA approved, and with fare increases in Pittsburgh that the Port Authority of Allegheny County approved.

Those actions "might result in problems," Smith conceded in the letter. But he said they averted what he considered a "true crisis" - the bankruptcy of both regional transit agencies.

Calls to Rendell's press office were not returned Friday.

Mayor Street has made clear that the initial 25 percent fare hike and 20 percent cut in weekday service would be "devastating" to the city. The city awaits a hearing in Common Pleas Court scheduled for Jan. 21 on an injunction it is pursuing to stop the cutbacks.

Fueling the frustration of Harrisburg Republicans is the absence of Rendell's promised audit of both cities' transit agencies, Smith wrote. Without it, the General Assembly's leadership would be unlikely to back a plan to raise fees or taxes as a dedicated revenue source for them, he said.

"I do not believe it is feasible to ask any legislature to raise state taxes/fees on a permanent or interim basis without hard evidence," Smith wrote.

The result could be a special session in which lawmakers "gavel in, and gavel out," with about five minutes in between, Smith spokesman Steve Miskin said.

"The governor needs to give us a realistic plan to back up what he wants us to do," he said.

If the lawmakers do quickly adjourn, Rendell said earlier this week that he "will call a special session for the next day, and the next day."
Contact staff writer Marcia Gelbart at 215-854-2338 or mgelbart@phillynews.com.

niksiz · #2 (**permalink**) 12-26-2004, 03:14 PM

They do have a good point: where are the audits and why have they not been completed?

Once again, no more money for SEPTA until their operations become efficient and management becomes competent. We cannot continue to throw money down a dysfunctional black hole without accountability.

thunda · #3 (**permalink**) 12-26-2004, 05:16 PM

What? Rural Republicans not liking public transit? I don't believe it for a second!

I actually thought I read that several audits had been completed by the city, the state, and even the DVRPA. I could be wrong though.

Anyway, how could Septa be anything but inefficient the way it's set up? Think...Chester County has the same voice on the board that the city does. That kind of bone-brained ridiculousness just ensures that no one will be happy with service.

eldondre · #4 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Calls to Rendell's press office were not returned Friday.

Mayor Street has made clear that the initial 25 percent fare hike and 20 percent cut in weekday service would be "devastating" to the city. The city awaits a hearing in Common Pleas Court scheduled for Jan. 21 on an injunction it is pursuing to stop the cutbacks.

Fueling the frustration of Harrisburg Republicans is the absence of Rendell's promised audit of both cities' transit agencies, Smith wrote. Without it, the General Assembly's leadership would be unlikely to back a plan to raise fees or taxes as a dedicated revenue source for them, he said.

"I do not believe it is feasible to ask any legislature to raise state taxes/fees on a permanent or interim basis without hard evidence," Smith wrote.

The result could be a special session in which lawmakers "gavel in, and gavel out," with about five minutes in between, Smith spokesman Steve Miskin said.

"The governor needs to give us a realistic plan to back up what he wants us to do," he said.

Dave · #5 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 11:24 AM

Once again, no more money for local and state legislators until their operations become efficient and management becomes competent. We cannot continue to throw money down a dysfunctional black hole without accountability.

Professor Dave · #6 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 12:10 PM

Obviously there is something funky going on with SEPTA just as with the City. I think it is very very wise that the legislator is asking the tough questions. Pennsylvania is a very unfriendly sunshine law state (freedom of information act).

So, did I hear right that the City has some huge number of phatom jobs to pad the budget?

eldondre · #7 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor Dave

Obviously there is something funky going on with SEPTA just as with the City. I think it is very very wise that the legislator is asking the tough questions. Pennsylvania is a very unfriendly sunshine law state (freedom of information act).

So, did I hear right that the City has some huge number of phatom jobs to pad the budget?

hmm...wouldn;t be at all surprised.

yunkster · #8 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

Once again, no more money for local and state legislators until their operations become efficient and management becomes competent. We cannot continue to throw money down a dysfunctional black hole without accountability.

:clapping:

Let's hold the republicans accountable for a change!

Of course the people that control the oil industry and have our country at war in Iraq want to shut down our transit. Transit is very, very bad but killing people in Iraq is good.

[insert barfing emoticon here]

SurfDog · #9 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yunkster

Let's hold the republicans accountable for a change!

great. how?

I know that the state legislature is controlled by the GOP. My question is why don't the Dems (especially in the Senate) play hardball with their GOP colleagues. This is a HUGE issue!

Christine Tartaglione sits on the Senate Transportation Committe and Vincent Fumo is the Minority Chair on Appropriations.

What are they doing?

yunkster · #10 (**permalink**) 12-27-2004, 03:41 PM

For starters how about we stop bitching about Septa and start bitching about the republicans?

Let's demand anwers from them like - ok - they do away with Septa. Now what? Should everybody in Philly get a car and clog up the streets and worsen the air? Are the republicans going to build more roads for the reverse commuters and invade more countries for oil?

Who are the republicans going to get to fight their wars?

Hmmm....

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