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?

As he marks six months on the job, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday spoke with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk about safety, opioids, lawsuits against the Trump administration, SEPTA’s special prosecutor, and more. Watch the latest episode of Battleground Politics with Lauren Mayk.

Here's a full breakdown of the episode:  

1:35 – SEPTA’s special prosecutor  

5:51 -- Choosing cases for special prosecutor to handle instead of District Attorney Larry Krasner

7:10 – Taxpayer dollars and special prosecutor’s office  

8:25 – Extending SEPTA’s special prosecutor beyond 2026  

9:05 -- Opioid crisis and Kensington

10:45 – Trump’s executive order on committing people for treatment  

11:57 – Governor’s lawsuits against Trump  

15:30 -- Birthright citizenship  

18:22 – Advocating for Pennsylvanians 

As SEPTA prepares for possible service cuts and fare hikes, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk speaks with lawmakers on why there is still no resolution on SEPTA funding. She also speaks with SEPTA riders about what they plan to do if the transit agency makes the cuts it’s planning.  

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode  

00:40 – SEPTA riders respond to planned cuts to routes  

6:57 – Oversight and accountability for SEPTA  

7:40 – SEPTA safety concerns

8:20 – SEPTA’s internal documentation  

10:20 – Public and private partnership rights  

12:20 – SEPTA state funding  

13:20 – Third-party oversight  

14:45 – GOP Sen. Tracy Pennycuick on SEPTA funding  

16:00 – Budget negotiations in Harrisburg  

17:47 – Impact of SEPTA cuts on Montgomery and Berks counties  

20:40 – House Democrats on proposed oversight bill  

21:20 – Democratic Sen. Vincent Hughes on budget  

25:30 – Democratic vs. GOP votes  

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin recently made a stop in Philadelphia. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with Martin about the upcoming midterms and primaries as well as why you may see the DNC getting involved in school board races. 

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode: 

00:42 – State and federal funding issues 

2:00 – DNC and school board races 

3:42 – Organized Everywhere Program 

4:50 – Young voters and the DNC  

6:40 – DNC’s handling of primaries 

10:05 – Neutrality during primaries 

13:20 – Impact of Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’ 

18:30 – Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and Trump’s bill 

A tentative agreement was reached between the city of Philadelphia and AFSCME District Council 33, ending a strike that lasted more than a week. With members of the city’s largest blue-collar workers union set to vote on ratifying the new deal on Monday, July 14, NBC10’s Lauren Mayk spoke with a panel about the strike and its overall impact. The panel includes Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO President Daniel Bauder, Zachary Kimmel, an attorney with Reed Smith LLP, KYW Newsradio reporter Pat Loeb and Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler.

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:

1:17 – The impact of the strike on Philadelphia

5:45 – How the strike ended

6:52 – Challenges ahead in the aftermath of the strike

8:38 – How Mayor Parker is viewed after the strike

11:28 – Impact on future union contract talks in Philly

13:50 – Potential impact on city services

President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law his sweeping tax cut and spending package, what he’s called the “big, beautiful bill,” in a Fourth of July ceremony packaged with patriotic pomp and symbolism. For the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Lauren Mayk spoke with Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (Pennsylvania -7th District) and Democratic Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (Pa. – 4th District) who both voted on the bill and shared their reactions. 

Here's a full breakdown of the episode: 

0:22 - Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on “yes” vote for bill

1:42 - Potential for people losing Medicaid benefits

3:31 - What happened behind the scenes to get the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed?

4:53 - Gov. Josh Shapiro and Medicaid/SNAP

5:56 - Conversations with President Trump

7:06 - How is Mackenzie feeling about running for reelection on the “Big Beautiful Bill”?

8:06 - Rep. Madeleine Dean on “no” vote for bill

10:26 - Dean on Medicaid work requirements

11:45 - What will Democrats do next now that the bill has passed?

16:07 - Will any parts of the bill benefit her constituents?

17:15 - Dean makes economic argument against the bill

After winning the Democratic nomination in the primary, Mikie Sherrill will face off against Republican Jack Ciattarelli in the race for New Jersey’s governor. In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, Sherill speaks with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk about the upcoming election, her plan for the Garden State and much more.  

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:  

0:47 -- Reactions to New York’s mayoral primary and Zohran Mamdani  

2:45 – Differences between Sherrill, Murphy and Ciattarelli

4:32 -- Affordability in New Jersey

6:49 -- Tax credit program for seniors

8:09 -- New Jersey's cooperation with ICE under Sherrill administration

9:59 -- Sherill administration relationship with President Trump

12:22 -- Abortion and healthcare  

14:26 -- Conflict between Israel and Iran

Jack Ciattarelli won the Republican primary for New Jersey governor and will face off against the Democratic nominee Rep. Mikie Sherrill. Fresh off his primary victory, Ciattarelli spoke with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk in the latest episode of Battleground Politics.

Here’s a full breakdown of the episode:  

1:50 Affordability and reducing income taxes

2:45 Plans to reduce size of NJ government

4:00 Appointing an attorney general

5:00 Working with Trump and National Guard

5:50 Chaos at Jersey Shore and prosecuting minors

6:30 Civil disturbances

7:20 Sanctuary cities, not restricting state police  

8:00 Immigrant trust directive  

8:30 Abortion  

9:50 Support from Trump