Proposing an amendment to Article VIII, Chapter 5 of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, entitled "Referenda Approved by the Voters," by adding a new section providing that the citizens of Philadelphia call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide sustainable and consistent funding to mass transit throughout the Commonwealth, including to SEPTA.

WHEREAS, Under Section 6 of the First Class City Home Rule Act (53 P.S. §13106), an

amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter may be proposed by a resolution of

the Council of the City of Philadelphia adopted with the concurrence of two-thirds of its

elected members; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the following amendment to Article VIII of the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter is hereby proposed and shall be submitted to the electors of the City on an election date designated by ordinance:

ARTICLE VIII

PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

CHAPTER 5

REFERENDA APPROVED BY THE VOTERS

§8-509. Fully fund Septa.

We, the citizens of Philadelphia, call upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide sustainable and consistent funding to mass transit throughout the Commonwealth, including to SEPTA, the beating heart of our City. The shutdown of even a single bus or train line would impose extraordinary hardship on thousands of Philadelphians. SEPTA's persistent funding shortfalls will push the system into a death spiral, which would do irreparable damage to commerce in Philadelphia, the economic engine of Pennsylvania.

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Explanation:

Italics

indicate new matter added.

End