{"id":2474866,"date":"2025-08-14T18:20:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T22:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/public-transit-funding-and-the-road-not-yet-taken-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-08-14T18:23:34","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T22:23:34","slug":"public-transit-funding-and-the-road-not-yet-taken-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/public-transit-funding-and-the-road-not-yet-taken-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Public transit funding and the road not yet taken &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fpublic-transit-funding-and-the-road-not-yet-taken-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2474866&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Teh article discusses ongoing frustrations and stalled negotiations in Pennsylvania over funding for public transit. Two main proposals-using sales taxes or tapping into the state&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >transit trust fund-lack bipartisan support<\/a>. However, a new bipartisan proposal by Republican sen. Gene Yaw and Democratic Sen. Anthony williams suggests imposing a $500 monthly fee on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/casino-lawsuit-seeks-skill-game-tax-parity-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Casino lawsuit seeks skill game tax parity - Washington Examiner\">unregulated skill game terminals<\/a> to generate immediate revenue for public transportation and infrastructure. Republicans oppose sales tax increases due to unstable revenue and impacts on other programs, while Democrats oppose using the transit trust fund, which is meant for system upgrades, not operational costs. Disagreement also exists over tax rates on skill games and recreational marijuana. With the state legislature unlikely to return before September, public transit agencies like SEPTA face funding deadlines that, if unmet, could result in fare hikes and service cuts. The situation adds to broader budget uncertainties affecting schools and human services.  <\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Public transit funding and the road not yet taken<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2204211\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; There&rsquo;s no shortage of frustration when it comes to stalled negotiations over funding for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/public-transportation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">public transit<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pennsylvania\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Pennsylvania<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Of the plans proffered &ndash; using sales taxes versus dipping into the transit trust fund &ndash; neither has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/bipartisanship\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">bipartisan<\/a> support. There&rsquo;s a road not yet taken, however.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3500190\/judge-drops-charges-henry-cuellar-bribery-trial-2026\/\">Judge drops two charges against Cuellar, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-tosses-out-part-of-nys-pot-licensing-regulations-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Federal court tosses out part of NY\u2019s pot licensing regulations - Washington Examiner\">pushes bribery trial<\/a> to 2026<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3500199\/bowser-leaves-dc-family-commitment-trump-takeover-police\/\">Bowser leaves DC for &#8216;family commitment&#8217; with district embroiled in federal takeover<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3500262\/trump-phony-washington-dc-crime-statistics-being-investigated\/\">Trump says &#8216;phony&#8217; DC crime statistics are being investigated<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>In the days before both chambers convened to approve their respective solutions, Republican Sen. Gene Yaw, of Williamsport, and Democratic Sen. Anthony Williams, of Philadelphia, suggested solving two problems at once: collect a $500 monthly fee from unregulated skill game terminals and use it to pay for increased public transit support.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This bipartisan proposal builds on the foundation we&rsquo;ve already built,&rdquo; Yaw said in a statement to The Center Square. &ldquo;By replacing a tax structure with a simple, $500-per-machine monthly fee, we can generate revenue almost immediately. That funding will go directly toward public transportation and infrastructure &ndash; two areas where Pennsylvanians are demanding action.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>One reason why Republicans, in majority of the Senate,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_12473bea-e688-4903-913a-0ecaa7db0ff4.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">oppose using sales taxes to bolster funding<\/a>&nbsp;is the tenuous nature of that revenue year-to-year, as well as the impact of diverting money away from other programs.<\/p>\n<p>But their support for other income, such as legalizing recreational pot or taxing skill game machines, has been difficult to reach consensus.<\/p>\n<p>That&rsquo;s why the upper chamber&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_3b8038e2-262f-4c80-90e0-2d555dc99c8a.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wants to use money from the $2.4 billion trust fund<\/a>, which grows year-by-year, to help transit agencies across the state &ndash; most of all SEPTA in the Philadelphia region.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats abhor the option, saying that the fund is already earmarked for system upgrades, not operational shortfalls. The plan&rsquo;s built-in yearly fare increase, based on the rate of inflation, will further strain the wallets of the 800,000 people who use SEPTA, in particular, on a daily basis.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, supporters of skill games taxes, Yaw chief among them, and Gov. Josh Shapiro&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/pennsylvania\/article_c646b87d-374d-4633-ae57-62e9708c1d06.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">are far apart on what that rate should be<\/a>: the former preferring a 16% rate and the latter a 52% rate. In the middle, a third offer from Republican senators lands at 33%.<\/p>\n<p>Yaw says his proposal with Williams isn&rsquo;t just bipartisan, but practical.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a commonsense solution that respects legal precedent, addresses a critical funding gap and most importantly, helps local small businesses and veterans&rsquo; organizations stay open,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Kate Flessner, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, acknowledged the differing plans, saying &ldquo;there will need to be bipartisan and bicameral consensus on a final product.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/3499748\/salena-zito-us-steel-laments-loss-of-two-workers-who-keep-our-country-secure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">SALENA ZITO LAMENTS LOSS OF TWO US STEEL WORKERS &lsquo;WHO KEEP OUR COUNTRY SECURE&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s much like everything else within the overdue state budget. Until then, schools, human services and the people who use public transit, face uncertainty.<\/p>\n<p>SEPTA&rsquo;s deadline for legislative action is Thursday, otherwise fares will rise and services will be cut.<\/p>\n<p>Neither chamber plans to return to session until September.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2204211\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2204211\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Public transit funding talks stall; new solution proposed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2474867,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/josh-shapiro-public-transit.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[6513,3902,40582],"class_list":["post-2474866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-funding","tag-infrastructure","tag-public-transit"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/josh-shapiro-public-transit.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474866","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2474866"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474866\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2474870,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2474866\/revisions\/2474870"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2474867"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2474866"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2474866"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2474866"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}