Tonight, Senator Maria Collett (D-12 Montgomery, Caucus Chair) voted “No” on Senate Republicans’ last-minute transit budget amendment and their proposal to fund the government at 2024-2025 levels despite rising costs for everyday Pennsylvanians.
“For six weeks, our budget has been overdue. Our schools are in limbo. Our hospitals are waiting. Our transit systems are on the brink. All the while, Senate Republicans have refused to negotiate seriously,” Senator Collett said to constituents in a video released Tuesday evening.
“Their [transit funding] plan relies on one-time gaming revenue and budget transfers instead of establishing permanent funding. It’s like putting a band aid on a broken leg—a leg they broke in the first place.”
The Pennsylvania House has passed legislation to fund public transit and fix roads and bridges five times since June. All twenty-three Senate Democrats stand ready to move their plan forward and protect Pennsylvanians’ ability to travel to work, school, and the doctor – whether they rely on public transit or roadways.
Collett continued: “Governor Shapiro, House Democrats, my Senate Democratic colleagues and I remain committed to real solutions. Pennsylvania deserves better than governance by crisis, delivered time and time again by Senate Republicans. We deserve leaders who plan ahead and deliver results.”