SEPTA is set to implement drastic service cuts and fare hikes starting on Sunday, Aug. 24. The transit agency says it needs funding to help make up a $213 million budget deficit but so far Pennsylvania lawmakers haven’t been able to come to an agreement on funds for SEPTA and other transit agencies.

In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Democratic House Speaker Joanna McClinton and Republican Senate Pro Tempore Kim Ward about what it would take for both sides to come to an agreement.

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

Interview with Joanna McClinton:

00:41 – Impact of SEPTA cuts on Joanna McClinton’s district

1:54 – Plans for House lawmakers

3:12 – What Pa. Democrats are willing to compromise on

4:00 – Transit trust fund

5:39 – Capital projects

7:11 – Disconnect over transit trust fund numbers

9:35 – Is transit funding the main thing stopping a state budget from being passed?

10:20 – Is proposal to change how tax revenue is allocated a realistic solution?

11:35 – Is the disagreement over SEPTA funding based on policy or politics?

12:45 – Did Pennsylvania politicians fail SEPTA customers?

Interview with Kim Ward:

15:17 – Any progress since Pa. Senate session?

15:57 – Transit trust fund

18:19 – Skill games as a source of funding?

21:14 – Capital projects

23:30 – Frustration from students and families who use SEPTA

24:07 – Whether or not politics are at play in the SEPTA funding talks

26:06 – What would a deal for funding look like?

26:32 – Reaction from Ward’s constituents to a deal not being reached

28:02 – Is a change to tax distribution a workable idea?

SEPTA is moving forward with their plans to implement drastic cuts and fare hikes for riders across the Pennsylvania region after lawmakers in Harrisburg failed to reach a deal to secure funding for the transit agency’s $213 million budget deficit. As hundreds of thousands of SEPTA customers brace for the impact, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with Sen. Joe Picozzi, a Philadelphia Republican who tried to push forward a GOP-backed funding bill that was ultimately voted down by a House committee. Watch and listen to their interview in the latest episode of Battleground Politics.

0:47 -- Reaction to upcoming SEPTA cuts

1:27 -- SEPTA's reaction to Senate's proposal

2:28 -- Reaction to Democratic supported House bill that didn't pass

3:43 -- Communicating with fellow GOP lawmakers

4:51 -- Reaction to Gov. Shapiro calling him out

6:00 -- Communicating with Democratic lawmakers

6:50 -- Working to secure funding for SEPTA

7:33 -- Next steps for securing funding

8:16 -- Funding and SEPTA safety

9:04 -- SEPTA fare increases and affordability

10:26 -- Willingness to compromise on funding bill

11:24 -- Flat budget with no additional spending

12:04 -- Message to SEPTA riders amid upcoming cuts

The clock is ticking for SEPTA as the transit agency is set to implement major service cuts and higher fares if they fail to secure funding by August 14, 2025. Amid the looming "transit death spiral," SEPTA GM Scott Sauer spoke with NBC10's Lauren Mayk for the latest episode of Battleground Politics.

Here's a full breakdown of the episode:

:30 -- Will the schedule cuts really go into effect?

1:23 -- How the schedule changes will affect students

4:28 -- How additional transit police and staff will help riders

5:43 -- How businesses will be affected by the schedule changes

7:02 – Public/private partnerships

8:25 – SEPTA oversight bill

9:49 – Responding to those who say SEPTA shouldn’t get any more state funding

11:24 – Why SEPTA can’t pay for itself

12:50 – If SEPTA gets the money it’s asking for, will it come back next year asking for more money?