House committee backs omnibus transportation bill to boost transit and road funding; votes 16-10

House Bill 17 88, an omnibus transportation measure that would raise the share of existing sales-and-use tax devoted to public transit, authorize bonds for road and bridge work and add new oversight and performance requirements for major transit agencies, was reported favorably out of the Pennsylvania House Transportation Committee on a 16-10 vote Thursday.

The bill, introduced by Representative Sean Dougherty, would increase the allocation of existing sales and use tax to the Pennsylvania Public Transportation Trust Fund from 4.4% to 6.5%, authorize up to $325 million in bonding for roads through the Commonwealth Financing Authority, and direct specific motor-license-fund transfers for smaller state roads. "These cuts will be devastating to my neighbors who rely on SEPTA every single day to get to work, school, and medical appointments," Representative Sean Dougherty said, urging a prompt vote to prevent planned service reductions.

Why it matters: The measure targets an immediate funding shortfall for transit agencies statewide and packages revenue and reform items together. Committee members said the bill is intended to stop proposed service cuts scheduled for Aug. 24 and to provide money for both large transit authorities and smaller, rural routes and roads across all 67 counties.

Key provisions and oversight requirements

- Revenue and bonding: The bill…