Rep. Readshaw Proposes Lottery to Assist Mass Transit

With still more cuts in subsidies to mass transit looming in the next Pennsylvania budget, state Rep. Harry A. Readshaw, a Democrat whose 36th Legislative District includes parts of  and  boroughs, is preparing to re-introduce a bill (first introduced by Readshaw in 2005) that would authorize a lottery specifically to assist municipal mass transit operations.

The proposal is for a lottery to be conducted 12 times per year. After prizes and costs, all remaining revenue from the $5 tickets would go toward repaying the debt incurred on bonds issued for mass transit development.

"By taking off some bond repayment load from the mass transit agencies," Readshaw said, "they could divert the money they would otherwise pay on their debt, and instead, use the funds to maintain services.

"The Allegheny County Port Authority and virtually every other mass transit operation in the commonwealth are confronted by the continuing reduction of the state's share of the costs for their services. 

"There is a significant number of Pennsylvanians for whom mass transit is the only way to commute to and from work. The more that is shaved off of transit work, the more of those people could face losing their job. That means more tax money spent on unemployment, and (it) makes an area less attractive to potential employers."

Readshaw also noted that, for many people, their local bus is the only way that they can travel to medical facilities and grocery stores.

Readshaw asserted that his proposed Economic Development Fund for Mass Transit would be conducted in such a way as to not interfere with the current state lottery, which benefits older Pennsylvanians. Among the benefits funded by the current lottery is senior transportation. 

Readshaw added that, ultimately, a mass transit lottery would increase support for the local systems without creating a further burden on taxpayers. 

He expects to re-introduce the legislation after the state House returns to session in March.

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