PENNSYLVANIA — The House Transportation Committee Chairman, Ed Neilson, has expressed satisfaction over the final approval Tuesday of H.B. 1219 by the House. The bill is a significant amendment to the Tax Code and promises an increase in funding for public transit systems across all 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
H.B. 1219 seeks to raise the percentage of sales tax receipts allocated to public transit from 4.4% to 6.4%. This marks the first increase since 2007, demonstrating a renewed commitment to improving transportation infrastructure within the state.
In 2019 alone, public transit agencies in Pennsylvania facilitated 387 million passenger trips, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Recognizing the critical relationship between a well-funded public transit system and economic opportunities, Neilson stated, “Millions of people use public transit to take them to work, school and everywhere in between – investing in public transit is also investing in the people of Pennsylvania, ensuring that they can get anywhere they need to go, even in rural areas.”
The Tax Reform Code of 1971 will be amended by H.B. 1219, which aims to provide alternative special tax provisions for poverty, redefine corporate net income tax, and introduce the Public Transportation Trust Fund, among other changes.
Neilson stated that the passage of H.B. 1219 represents a significant step forward in addressing the needs of public transit users in Pennsylvania. By increasing the funding allocated to public transit systems, the state is investing in its people and their ability to access economic opportunities, educational institutions, and more. It’s a move that underscores the importance of public transit in connecting communities and driving the economy.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.