Latest news with #LaurenMontgomery
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SEPTA budget hearings underway: Day 1 recap
PHILADELPHIA - Budget hearings have opened on SEPTA's new funding package, expected to impose deep cuts in the system if state funding is not approved. What we know Demonstrators filled the sidewalk in front of SEPTA's Philadelphia headquarters Monday. They came to support the region's transportation authority as budget hearings started on SEPTA's plans to slash services and hike fees. Lauren Montgomery rides SEPTA to her job at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "I know that other areas of Pennsylvania think this doesn't impact them, or it's just there, but they have family members sitting in our hospital right now. We will not be able to serve those patients," she said in Monday's opening sessions. Governor Shapiro is urging the legislature to fund SEPTA with 168 million in state dollars, but opposition has grown among Republicans and legislators from rural communities who argue their taxpayers don't benefit. Every one of the dozens of speakers stood with SEPTA Monday. Will Tung's wife and daughter use the system. "We are completely dependent on the T-3 trolley. The fact that the service is going to be cut more is utterly devastating for me and my family. We're actually considering buying a second car. A big expense for us in this city," said Tung. If state dollars don't flow, SEPTA has said it will cut service by 45 percent-including slashing rail, bus, and trolley routes while hiking fares by more than 21 percent. What's next The Authority invited legislators on Friday to see its operations up close in a full court press for support. The interim G.M. said he gets their concerns. "I think they're looking for a way to solve a problem that's even bigger than transit. They're looking for ways to solve their own budget crisis," said Scott Sauer. The push comes to shove in late June when the state budget is due, as some fear their link to the outside world is threatened.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
As SEPTA shortfall looms, riders say possible major cuts would hurt families, businesses in Philadelphia area
SEPTA is, once again, facing a major hole in its budget. The Philadelphia-based transit agency says it's staring down a $213 million shortfall in its operating budget starting on July 1. If it doesn't get money from the state, leaders say major cuts will take place across its system. On Monday, SEPTA held its first public hearing on its operating budget, drawing dozens of speakers who expressed concerns about what the cuts could mean to them. "We only have one car in our household," said one woman. "I don't know what we'd do if I couldn't take the train to work." "How can we get to school? How can we get back from school?" asked another woman who said her children ride the Paoli-Thorndale to and from school. The Paoli-Thorndale Line is one of five Regional Rail lines that would be on the chopping block if SEPTA doesn't get an infusion of state cash. The transit agency says it would also cut 50 bus lines, slash services by 20% on all remaining lines, and stop all metro and regional rail service at 9 p.m. The agency also says it would raise fares by 21.5%. Those who spoke at Monday morning's meeting say these kinds of changes could be life-altering. "Our business district is really centered right across the street from the train station. We have a historic, scenic downtown. And I don't know how those businesses are going to survive," said Fred Bush, president of the Narberth Borough Council. "I potentially wouldn't have my job anymore," said Lauren Montgomery, who works in volunteer services at CHOP. "I rely on SEPTA to get to work. We're currently building our family, we need a bigger house. Our property values are diminished if we lose access to public transportation." SEPTA was in a similar situation last year when the agency faced an even larger $240 million shortfall. Then, Gov. Josh Shapiro stepped in and flexed millions of dollars from PennDOT road projects to stave off major cuts from the agency. But SEPTA general manager Scott Sauer says that option isn't likely this time around, and what the agency really needs is consistent funding from the state. "That is really the only solution at this point, is something that is permanent and sustainable, now and into the future," Sauer said. This year, Shapiro's proposed public transit funding would send $168 million to SEPTA, coupled with money from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties. Outside Monday's hearing, some Democratic state lawmakers rallied to support that funding being passed. But it has again run into opposition from Republicans and rural lawmakers, after the funding was chopped out of the final budget process. Some Republicans have said funding for public transit statewide, not just SEPTA, needs to be balanced with money to fix aging roads and bridges. The top Republican in the Democratic-controlled state House also introduced legislation last month that would have SEPTA privatize its bus service. "Privatizing SEPTA's busing operations serves to offload operational costs and expenses of a portion of SEPTA's overall portfolio and can help alleviate expenses while offering a more efficient way to deliver the same service," said state Rep. Jesse Topper. Questions about that bill got a mixed reaction from those at the SEPTA hearing Monday. "I'm interested to hear what Rep. Topper might have more to say on that, but it's not something we've considered up to this point," Sauer said. "I absolutely reject it. It's not a serious proposal," said state Sen. Nikil Saval. But that doesn't mean conversations aren't happening. Last week, Sauer traveled to Harrisburg to meet with lawmakers and discuss SEPTA funding. And on Friday, Saval says he and other local lawmakers hosted House and Senate Transportation Committee members in the city, taking them on a tour of SEPTA's facilities and hearing from advocates. "There's openness to this funding," Saval said. "The question is what is the overall transportation package? What is the overall number?" SEPTA has two more planned public meetings to address its operating budget at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday at 1234 Market Street in Philadelphia.
Gizmodo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
The New ‘Last Airbender' and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Animated Films Have Been Delayed
'The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender' and the sequel to 'Mutant Mayhem' have both been pushed back. Two of your most anticipated animated movies have been delayed. The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, the new film directed by Lauren Montgomery and William Mata, was supposed to be out on January 30, 2026, but has now been pushed back to October 9, 2026. Plus, the sequel to the incredible Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, originally scheduled for that October date, has been delayed an entire year. It'll now be out on September 17, 2027. But don't worry, Paramount helped those bitter pills go down by announcing Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie has been moved up a week. It'll now come out July 24, 2026. All this is from The Hollywood Reporter, which cites 'delays in animation physical production.' Basically, the filmmakers need more time. That's always the silver lining with delays like this. The filmmakers have more time to make their movies as good as possible. And, when it comes to franchises like Airbender and Ninja Turtles, we all want the films to be as good as possible. And yet it's still frustrating, especially for fans of Mutant Mayhem who have a movie to look at as a standard. That's not something you can say for a theatrical, animated Airbender film. Though based on all iterations of the show, expectations are probably even higher. There's no word on anyone new involved with Mutant Mayhem 2. It's just expected to bring back everyone from the first movie such as director Jeff Rowe. The Legend of Ang will feature the voices of Dave Bautista, Eric Nam, Dionne Quan, Jessica Matten, Román Zaragoza and Steven Yeun. Here's your first look at the logo. THE LEGEND OF AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER – only in theatres October 9, 2026. — Paramount Pictures (@ParamountPics) May 16, 2025 Are you more excited for one of these films over the other? And yes, we count Paw Patrol in that mix. For me, personally, I've rarely been as surprised by a movie as Mutant Mayhem, so even if it takes another year, making something even half that good will be worth it.
