Funding for public transit tops the legislative agenda at the start of this week, and both Governor Rendell and House Appropriations Chair Dwight Evans have cautioned that a resolution must occur as part of the budget process. Without an infusion of funding, the Port Authority of Allegheny County (serving Pittsburgh and Allegheny County) will make permanent last week’s layoff of 203 workers and 15% service cut and further reduce service and increase fares. In Philadelphia, SEPTA has scheduled a rate hike for September, and has drawn up plans to cut service by 20% and increase fares by 31% in the absence of a permanent source of funding to fill a $126 million deficit.