Government Affairs Committee
Who Are We?
The Government Affairs Committee was formed to keep the YAC informed on the legislative agenda that affects SEPTA. Whether its legislation being written in City Hall, Harrisburg, or Washington DC, its our job to know about it. We conduct our legislative research in order to make informed decisions about what the YAC should support in its fight for a SEPTA that best serves young people across our region. On this page you will see some of the bills that the YAC has fully endorsed. We continue to foster strong relationships between young people and their representatives by contacting dozens of legislators to remind them that transit IS a priority for the young people in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Jaiman Kondisetty
Chair
“I like trains, and having strong relationships with my elected officials.”
Our Priorities
Bills We Support
HB 902
What is it?
This bill would enable Pennsylania’s local municipalities to set taxes to create dedicated funding sources for their public transportation systems.
Why is it important?
SEPTA ranks 28th in local funding for public transit despite earning the 7th most farebox revenue of any transit system in the country. Additional local funding would enable SEPTA to provide a high quality of service that riders deserve.
HB 2625
What is it?
This bill would allocate more of Pennsylania’s General Sales Tax toward transit. This bill passed out of the House in October and currently sits in the Senate Transportation committee. To pass, it will need to pass through both the Transportation and Appropriations committees, then pass a floor vote in the senate.
Why is it important?
SEPTA currently has a roughly ~100 million dollar deficit that needs to be closed in order to continue at normal service levels. This bill would provide the needed funding that Governor Shapiro originally presented in his budget proposal.
Research and Advocacy
Here, you can see our current legislative priorities. These are the bill that we are most excited about. Our team is consistantly contacting our legislators to remind them that transit IS a high priority for the young people in our region. Is there a bill that we are missing? Is there a bill that YOU are excited about? Contact us with your suggestions.