By State Rep. Abney
I want to share news this month about two matters I care deeply about — fatherhood and public transit.
As the father of two sons, I realize how important it is that a dad be involved in his children’s lives and their mom’s pregnancy. That’s why I sponsored the PA Dads Matter Act, which passed the House Sept. 29 with strong bipartisan support.
Under House Bill 1212, the state Department of Health would launch a public awareness campaign to get more fathers involved in prenatal care and the birthing process.
The bill is part of MOMNIBUS 2.0, a package which seeks to improve birthing outcomes and addresses the high rate of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in Pennsylvania. My bill would help because when a dad is engaged, there are greater chances of a healthy birth and healthy postpartum period for the mother.
H.B. 1212 is modeled after bipartisan federal legislation drawn up by Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and former Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). As my bill heads to the state Senate, I’m urging our state senators to recognize how important it is and approve it.
As a Pittsburgher, I also realize the importance of public transit. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is a lifeline that gets people to their jobs, doctor appointments, and classes, among other places.
Recently, the PRT board, on which I serve, approved a budget for next year which fills a deficit of $107 million with a state-approved fund transfer. That transfer, which basically amounts to creative financing, means PRT will avoid severe route cuts and fare hikes next year.
It’s a Band-Aid. It pulls money from a fund meant for upgrades and repairs, and we can’t count on that kind of creative financing much longer.
Mass transit needs a long-term funding solution, and I’m working on one.
I have introduced legislation to create a dedicated funding source for PRT and other mass transit systems statewide. It’s a pair of bills, which I sponsored along with state Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) called the “Transit for All PA” funding package. It would:
- Raise the state’s rental car fee from $2 to $6.50.
- Increase the car lease fee from 3% to 5%.
- Establish a 6% excise tax on ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
This plan makes sense because the car rental and lease fees have not increased in over 30 years and are among the lowest in the nation, and currently, there is no statewide excise tax on ride-hailing services.
This is a pivotal time for public transit in American cities. The effects of the pandemic and inflation have left many systems cash-strapped.
I recognize that, and I understand how important transit is, and I will continue advocating for a long-term solution as your representative in Harrisburg.
State Rep. Aerion Abney represents the 19th Legislative District.
