Pa. Democrat, Republican talk efforts to secure funding for SEPTA

SEPTA is set to implement drastic service cuts and fare hikes starting on Sunday, Aug. 24. The transit agency says it needs funding to help make up a $213 million budget deficit but so far Pennsylvania lawmakers haven’t been able to come to an agreement on funds for SEPTA and other transit agencies. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Democratic House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Republican Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward about what it would take for both sides to come to an agreement.  Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: Interview with Joanna McClinton: 00:41 – Impact of SEPTA cuts on Joanna McClinton’s district 1:54 – Plans for House lawmakers 3:12 – What Pa. Democrats are willing to compromise on 4:00 – Transit trust fund 5:39 – Capital projects7:11 – Disconnect over transit trust fund numbers9:35 – Is transit funding the main thing stopping a state budget from being passed? 10:20 – Is proposal to change how tax revenue is allocated a realistic solution? 11:35 – Is the disagreement over SEPTA funding based on policy or politics? 12:45 – Did Pennsylvania politicians fail SEPTA customers? Interview with Kim Ward: 15:17 – Any progress since Pa. Senate session? 15:57 – Transit trust fund 18:19 – Skill games as a source of funding? 21:14 – Capital projects 23:30 – Frustration from students and families who use SEPTA24:07 – Whether or not politics are at play in the SEPTA funding talks 26:06 – What would a deal for funding look like? 26:32 – Reaction from Ward’s constituents to a deal not being reached 28:02 – Is a change to tax distribution a workable idea?    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.