Keeping PA's Economy Moving Forward

Policy Committee    March 5, 2025

PHILADELPHIA, March 5 – State lawmakers joined members of Philadelphia’s City Council to discuss ways to keep Pennsylvania’s economy moving forward, including securing the statewide investments needed to ensure residents are connected to their jobs, doctors and schools throughout the state. The five-county southeast region generates 41% of the state’s economic activity despite encompassing just 5% of the commonwealth’s land, and it creates 38% of Pennsylvania’s total tax revenue. 

• Host: Rep. Morgan Cephas (D-Phila.), Philadelphia House Delegation, Philadelphia City Council
• Testifiers:
  • Janeeiah Simmons- Youth Fellow, Philly BOLT
  • Mahogany Johnson- Youth Fellow, Philly BOLT
  • Erik Johanson- Senior Director of Budgets & Transformation, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority
  • Greg Downing- Executive Director, South Central Transit Authority
  • LeShawna Coleman- Chief of Staff, Philadelphia Teachers Association
  • Sophia Collins- MSN, RN, Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania
  • Shannon Williams- Senior Vice President of Advocacy, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
  • Jennifer Nagle- Vice President of Special Projects, Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

Agenda + Testimony

• Hearing agenda and testimony: Keeping PA's Economy Moving Forward

Media Release + News Coverage

• Cephas, Policy Committee focus on moving PA economy forward, March 5, 2025
• Philadelphia Tribune, Joint committee of local and state leaders hear potential impacts of SEPTA 'death spiral', March 5, 2025
• Metro Philadelphia, SEPTA faces another ‘death spiral’ without state funding, March 5, 2025

Video + Photos

• Click here to view the entire hearing
• Click here to view photos of the hearing