Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper has criticized the ongoing discussions in the state House regarding the completion of the state budget and funding for mass transit, specifically referencing SEPTA.
Topper stated that recent conversations about resolving the current budget impasse lack realism and common sense. He said, “Discussions about how to conclude the current state budget impasse are completely devoid of reality and commonsense.”
He pointed out that House Democrats had an opportunity to address financial challenges facing both SEPTA and other entities relying on state funds by supporting what he described as a fiscally responsible budget plan, along with legislation for mass transit funding. According to Topper, “House Democrats today had every opportunity to end dual crises for SEPTA and those relying on state funds for operation by passing the most fiscally responsible state budget plan we have seen to date, along with legislation that provides funds for mass transit and transportation.”
Topper also addressed concerns raised by SEPTA’s response to proposed funding solutions. He remarked, “No solution is going to be perfect. 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.”
Reflecting on his remarks in the House chamber earlier in the week, Topper questioned whether current legislative efforts were moving toward resolution or creating further delays. He concluded, “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.”
