Lawmakers push, place blame for lack of SEPTA funding as deadline looms

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Just a few weeks out from the first day of school, Democratic lawmakers on Monday used Lincoln High School in the Mayfair section of Philadelphia as an example of why transportation funding is so important.

As SEPTA route cuts and fare increases loom, Pennsylvania state Democrats blame Republican lawmakers for not taking action on legislation that would provide funds for the cash-strapped transportation agency and others across the state.

"We're here to declare a state of emergency. We're here because we're mere weeks away from SEPTA imposing drastic service cuts," said Pennsylvania State Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia).

State Democratic leaders say the writing's on the wall. Or, in the case of Lincoln High School, the writing is on the trees.

Signs are posted on trees in front of the school with details to changes of SEPTA bus routes.

"Attached to every tree is the cut for the route that's no longer gonna come to this school to get students here," said Pennsylvania State Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia).

RELATED: SEPTA approaching the point of no return for major service cuts

Decreasing routes by 45% and increasing fares by 21.5% is the reality of SEPTA's situation, which Democratic house lawmakers say could be prevented with a funding package for the state.

But they say Republicans in the Senate won't take action on the bill.

"We're here to tell the senators: time's up," said Pennsylvania State Rep Morgan Cephas (D-Philadelphia).

Speaking at Lincoln High School, Democrats say the transportation funding package they passed in June is the fourth they've sent to Republicans with no action.

"The Senate went home and we haven't seen them since," said Isaacson.

"We've sent a spending plan. If there are changes that need to be made, let's make those changes, but let's get that done," said Pennsylvania State Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia).

Now Democrats calling on three specific Republicans lawmakers from Southeast Pennsylvania to push their colleagues to vote on transportation funding: Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks County), Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R - Bucks / Montgomery Counties) and Senator. Joe Picozzi (R-Philadelphia)

Farry said Republicans are working on a solution.

"This is one component of the budget," said Farry. "When you have a structural deficit that you're trying to solve... we need to find revenue to balance all of that out."

Farry says he's put forth legislation that would fund transportation by taxing games of skill.

"The political rhetoric of one party throwing mud at another.... is wasted air," he said.

ALSO SEE: SEPTA posts notices warning riders ahead of drastic service cuts coming next month

Democrats accuse Republicans of making transportation funding a partisan issue and a Philadelphia issue.

"SEPTA money goes to all 67 counties of this commonwealth. Roads and bridges," PA State Rep. Sean Dougherty (D-Philadelphia).

With a past-due budget, negotiations continue as the date draws closer for SEPTA cuts to go into effect.

See the full list of the impacted routes here.