Why Do Public Transit Agencies Need Lobbyists to Be Heard?

In a democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions. But over time, lobbyists have stepped in to push for specific causes. Some of these causes are important, like medical research or environmental protection. Others are more about business interests, like mining or pharmaceuticals. Lobbying has its place, but it's not right that public bodies, like transit authorities, need to hire lobbyists to get the attention of lawmakers. Take the Westmoreland County Transit Authority, for example. They were paying $48, 000 a year to lobbyists. Recently, they decided to stop using these services, but not because they want to stop advocating for their needs. They are just looking for a better deal. Public transit is crucial for many people, especially seniors, disabled individuals, and workers. It's not fair that these agencies, which already have limited funds, have to spend money just to be heard by their elected representatives. The state government in Harrisburg operates on votes, voices, and money. Lobbyists can be loud and influential, making it hard for regular voters to compete. This system makes lobbying seem like the only way to get attention from lawmakers. While Westmoreland was deciding whether to keep paying for lobbying, the state released a budget with no new funding for public transit. This includes not just small bus networks but also larger systems like Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA). Governor Josh Shapiro proposed increasing the sales tax for transit, which could have brought in hundreds of millions of dollars. But lawmakers turned it down. Instead, Shapiro announced $219. 9 million in funding for SEPTA, showing that only the loudest voices get attention. Public transit agencies operate in a tough environment. The state only invests when it has to, and transit authorities have to fight to make their needs known. That's why they hire lobbyists. The lack of funding is why they are needed, why they can't be afforded, and why they shouldn't have to be hired in the first place. Small transit agencies shouldn't have to beg for scraps while lawmakers focus on other things. They shouldn't have to buy attention. It's clear that many voters rely on buses to get to work, school, and other important places. Public transit is not a luxury; it's a necessity. And transit authorities shouldn't need to pay someone to tell their elected representatives what they already know.