Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Transit Stares Down State
“Phantom budgets” are becoming the norm in Pennsylvania. What are they, you ask? They are budgets passed by local governments or authorities that include new, non-existent sources of revenue that they hope the state will authorize. The City of Pittsburgh did this is 2003 when it included a then unheard of payroll preparation tax and an alcohol tax. Now the Port Authority and the other public transit systems in the state are preparing for the 2006-07 fiscal year by leaving gaps that they hope the state and its transit reform commission will fill.
PAT’s budget will be $387 million, with $31 million (8%) more in spending than revenue. Though it has been implied that the Governor’s commission will find some new revenue source for mass transit, that is not its sole charge. It is to come up with solutions—on the revenue side and the expenditure side—for all forms of transportation in the Commonwealth. One of the items it has heard testimony on is how competitive contracting can lead to cost savings for mass transit agencies.
For now, PAT, SEPTA, and the other agencies are going to budget on a wing and a prayer. That’s much easier. With the commission finishing its work in November, the legislature adjourning soon after and then convening in early 2007, the pressure to “do something” will be intense. It would not be surprising to see another band-aid applied (like moving more highway money) to shore up transit.
So once again, taxpayers will be hit with the tab because the transit authorities are unwilling—bolstered by the Governor and other elected officials—to use outsourcing as a way to save tens of millions of dollars.
It is time for the Legislature to put an end to the constant raping of taxpayers in order to satisfy the insatiable demands of transit workers.
PAT’s budget will be $387 million, with $31 million (8%) more in spending than revenue. Though it has been implied that the Governor’s commission will find some new revenue source for mass transit, that is not its sole charge. It is to come up with solutions—on the revenue side and the expenditure side—for all forms of transportation in the Commonwealth. One of the items it has heard testimony on is how competitive contracting can lead to cost savings for mass transit agencies.
For now, PAT, SEPTA, and the other agencies are going to budget on a wing and a prayer. That’s much easier. With the commission finishing its work in November, the legislature adjourning soon after and then convening in early 2007, the pressure to “do something” will be intense. It would not be surprising to see another band-aid applied (like moving more highway money) to shore up transit.
So once again, taxpayers will be hit with the tab because the transit authorities are unwilling—bolstered by the Governor and other elected officials—to use outsourcing as a way to save tens of millions of dollars.
It is time for the Legislature to put an end to the constant raping of taxpayers in order to satisfy the insatiable demands of transit workers.
