Sen. Vince has a pretty good idea. Increase the state portion of the Real Estate transfer tax by a half a percent to fund mass transit. The increase would generate about $200 million in the first year.

And, it's fair because urban regions have higher turnover in properties - and thus, would generate the majority of the new funds.

What's more, the tax (not the rate) would rise as inflation rises - thus providing a growing pot of money for the transit agencies.

Probably makes too much sense to ever pass.

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/new...l/10628354.htm

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

So, we are talking about shifting the state's collected portion to mass transit, right? I would be totally against raising the transfer tax to make it a grand total of 4.5% in Philadelphia.

I am opposed to this. This makes it even harder for someone to buy a house in Philly. Granted, the more expensive the house, the more it would affect someone...which I like because it effects the rich more than the poor but how about an .5% increase at houses over $500K or something?

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Resident of Fishtown, Moderator of Fish/No. Libs/Kenzo forum, Real Estate Agent-Prudential Fox & Roach

I'm against this as well. Don't we already have one of the highest transfer taxes in the nation? Why do the citizens of PA always find ourselves subsidizing inefficient, bloated bureaucracies like SEPTA?

While I agree that SEPTA is underfunded, they need to eliminate EVERY SINGLE UNNECESSARY position. The union needs to stop with its ridiculous demands about forcing the organization to have X number of people working at any given time.

This will never happen, because the unions have PA in a stranglehold, so instead we'll all just pay more taxes for the privilige of having powerful unions.

So, brainiacs = where do we get the money. Any better ideas.

And Brian P - please don't tell me you're gonna find all that dough by reducing costs. As we have discussed over and over (apparently to deaf ears), Septa gets the least state operating subsidy of almost any transit agency in the nation. How do we address that?

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

Without understanding their current revenue structure and cost structure and the sharing of the audits it is not an easy task Chris. I will not support ANY idea without understanding what the problem is. I know we have talked about it, but I want to see the documents, I want to see the ledgers, I want to see the audits,I want to see SEPTA be honest and open. Until then, I am under the opinion that we are just throwing money down the drain.

Have you spent the time looking at the reports (management plans, etc.) on the web site. Much of what you are seeking is there.

Most of us don't bother to read - it's just more fun to bitch. AND, I am including myself in that category.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs

I've briefly read the budget and some of the capital reports, but what I am really after is the audit, which seems to me the same thing that the legislature wants as well.

I'm certainly no lover of new taxes, but I agree with the tax and think it fairly captures urban tax money from the more frequent turnover of houses.

Even if it socks me with an additional tax of over 1,000 when I buy my home, I figure I'll get my money's worth over the length of time spent in the house, so it's not really a big issue. If the tax increase were higher, I'd definitely be against it though - 4.5 % would be more than enough.

Real Estate agents and investors would predictably be against it, but it makes sense to me.

As for getting rid of every wasteful job at SEPTA, there would definitely be a lot of unemployed folk wandering the streets if that occurred.

The audit was done last year for the Commonwealth - I'm sure any legislator who cares can see it.

I don't know if it is public record - but probably is.

It seems to me, in my ever so humble opinion, that this has just become sort of an urban legend red herring thrown up by Republican legislators. There's an incredible amount of information available on Septa if you care to look.

I'm as lazy as the next guy - but I'm always amazed when I poke around the web site and when some of you folks here start discussing profitability of various routes/lines, etc. It's all availabe for free in the privacy of your home.

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“Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.” - Jane Jacobs