Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper has criticized the recent state budget and mass transit funding discussions in the House, calling them unrealistic. Topper issued a statement following legislative action on the state budget and funding for mass transit systems such as SEPTA.
“Discussions about how to conclude the current state budget impasse are completely devoid of reality and commonsense,” Topper said.
He stated that House Democrats had an opportunity to resolve ongoing issues affecting both SEPTA and those dependent on state funds by supporting what he described as “the most fiscally responsible state budget plan we have seen to date, along with legislation that provides funds for mass transit and transportation.”
Topper noted that while no solution is perfect, he was critical of SEPTA’s response to proposed funding. “But when SEPTA is offered funding and then proceeds to tell the House of Representatives that it will shut down operations because the funding solution is not perfect, it shows how disingenuous folks in this process have been about their real desire to avert calamity.”
He also referenced remarks made earlier in the week: “As I said in the House chamber on Monday, the question we need to ask ourselves is if the process we are undertaking moves us closer to getting to a conclusion or further away. The failure to pass the state budget and transportation funding bills today only moves us further back while hurting the people of Pennsylvania who rely on state and mass transit services the most.”
Topper represents Pennsylvania’s 78th Legislative District.
