SEPTA Funding + SAVE Act

Happy Tuesday, Activists! 

We have a barn burner of a newsletter today.  A lot to do and lots of calls to make.  Here we go!

SEPTA FUNDING CUTS - WE SAY NO WAY!

You may have heard that Republicans in the state legislature are threatening to cut SEPTA funding in this year's budget.  But do you know that havoc that would result for our region?  Do you take the Broad Street line home from a ballgame, or take the R5 home from work or a night out?  Well, if funding isn't restored those rides may be reduced.

According to the Inquirer, "SEPTA is the sixth largest mass transit system in the United States and runs 800,000 trips across its services each day."  

It also tells us that severe cuts "will go into effect Aug. 24, followed by a fare increase in September" if the state legislature does not provide sufficient funding. And that's just the first round of cuts. "SEPTA also warns that further cuts — including the elimination of five Regional Rail routes and a 9 p.m. curfew on the El and Broad Street Lines — could happen on Jan. 1 if funding is not secured."

So why is this unfair?  As this report lays out:  "SEPTA carries 77 percent of statewide transit riders and receives 62 percent of statewide transit operating funding in return."

-- And in total, "27 percent of state transportation dollars are invested in southeastern Pennsylvania, compared to the region’s 32 percent share of population and 40 percent share of economic output."  That's a whopping $3.21 billion in economic output across the Commonwealth every year.  SEPTA also:

"- Supports nearly 26,000 jobs across the Commonwealth;

- Supports $1.45 billion in worker earnings – $56,389 per job supported; and

- Generates $62.5 million in tax revenues for the Commonwealth."

Check out our Bluesky post for more.

So yes, our region is the economic engine of this state and yet we get a raw deal. Repeatedly.  So it's time to make the calls! 

Call your PA State legislator and find them here.  Tell them to stay strong and fight for good SEPTA funding, no holding back. 

AND call PA Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (717) 787-8724 and tell him that we are the economic engine of this state, we contribute more funding for the rest of the state than any other region, and that we deserve a healthy SEPTA to stay the thriving region that we are.

RALLY APRIL 19 - NO KINGS! 

April 19th is the 250th anniversary of the fist shots fired in the Revolutionary War.  The war where we kicked out a king we hated!   And we say No Kings now!  

So we rally and march this Saturday, April 19th at Noon.  

Where:  Independence Mall, 5th and Market Streets, with a march around the city's historic district, down to 3rd Street, up to Chestnut, and the back to the Mall for a few speeches.

Sign up here. 

WHERE'S DAVE MCCORMICK?

JOIN US AT THE INDIVISIBLE MONTCO & FRIENDS TOWN HALL!

This "Where's Dave McCormick Town Hall" is brought to you by Indivisible MontCo & Friends.  Serious Business with a side of Fun.  Bring a pen and your questions for Dave for the Q&A.  

When:  Wednesday, April 23, doors open at 5:30pm, Town Hall starts at 6:30pm.

Where:  Penndale Middle School Auditorium, 400 Penn St, Lansdale, PA 19446

Sign up here.

PA MEGAPHONE'S TOWN HALL

JOIN IN FOR TALK WITH CONGRESSMAN BRENDAN BOYLE

Join PA Megaphone tomorrow afternoon for a virtual discussion with Rep. Brendan Boyle! Join this virtual update about what's going on in Congress, with Congressman Brendan Boyle.  Congressional Republicans have voted to advance Donald Trump's tax plan that would cut healthcare and food programs for families - like Medicaid and SNAP - in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires and his ultra-wealthy backers. 

Join this call to learn about what's going on, what's at stake, and how people are fighting back.

When:. TOMORROW, April 16, 1:00 pm

Where: Zoom

Sign up here. 

THE INSURRECTION ACT

Are you worried Trump may invoke it?

We've received many questions about the Insurrection Act and what it means if Trump invokes it.  You dan learn all about it, what it means, and how we need to prepare in Indivisible's very good explainer at this link.  

CALL TO ACTION

Last week, House Republicans passed one of the most extreme voter suppression bills we’ve seen, and we need to make sure it dies in the Senate.  It would also cause massive challenges for married women and trans and nonbinary people who’ve changed their names, and disproportionately impact people of color. 

Indivisible has more on this bill and Trump’s related Executive Order. 

Call our Senators and tell them to block Republicans from disenfranchising millions of voters with this horrible bill.  

Here are the senators' contacts -- 

Sen. McCormick – Phila office 215-405-9660; D.C. office 202-224-6324; email link

Sen. Fetterman – Phila office 215-241-1090; D.C. 202-224-4254; email link

For outside PA:  Find your senators’ phone numbers and emails at this link.

MORE RALLIES

1.  Every Friday -- 4:00 pm., this week starting at Independence Mall and marching to Senator Fetterman's office.

Come out and show that you'll stand up against the Trump/Musk regime.  Bring your signs, your voices, your energy!

When:  April 11, 4:00 pm

Where:  5th and Market Streets, Philadelphia and march to 2nd and Chestnut (0.4 mile walk)

Sign up here.

3.  Every Friday -- 11:15 am - Join Fridays@Fetterman's for the weekly Friday vigil for peace in Gaza/Palestine outside of Senator John Fetterman's office at 200 Chestnut Street from 11:15 am to 12:15 pm. Register here

4.  Every Friday, 5:00 - 6:00 pm -- Protest at Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick's office at One Summit Square, Langhorne, PA. Bring signs about whatever you want. There's a lot to complain about!

5.  Every Monday at Noon  Join our friends at Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW for Monday's at McCormick's, in front of Senator McCormick's office at 20th and Market Streets.

Are you outside the Philadelphia area?  You can see all the protests planned by Indivisibles in your area at this link. 

LEAFLET PHILLY!

Are you looking for a fun, easy way to increase voter engagement across Philadelphia (and maybe burn off some of that anxiety we are all feeling)? We've got the project for you — and we are so excited about it!  Every month we'll be leafleting Philadelphia — with the goal of every home, all across the city.Here's how it works.  Each month we will design a door hanger with a simple, timely and compelling message for our neighbors. The door hangers will link Republicans to the chaos and misery they create and show Philadelphians how they can take action — with the ultimate goal of increasing voter turnout over the next four years!  Sign up here.You are the key to this project's success.  The more volunteer leaflet distributors we have, the more neighbors we can reach.  You'll get 100 door hangers to simply hang on every door up and down the block.  It’s quick and easy — no knocking, no lists, just leave the leaflet on the door and stroll on to the next one! You pick the day that’s most convenient for you and repeat a month later.

Sign up here.

BE A NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER!

You can sign up and help save democracy!   Join our 35 Doors Project and canvass to some doors right in your neighborhood. We give you everything you need for success - training, clipboards, handouts, door hangers, talking points and the address list!  Reply to this newsletter to learn more. 

It's the very most effective and important work you can do to get voters to the polls.  And we have fun!  Please go to this link to get started and we'll be in touch.

You can find more information about how this works in our earlier newsletter at this link.  

And One More Thing:

Did someone forward this newsletter to you?  Sign up here to get it in your inbox.

Share our social media pages to make sure you and everyone you know is updated on our projects for this year’s critical elections.  Follow us on Facebook, Bluesky, and Instagram