The Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate passed a bill on Tuesday that would fund SEPTA and avoid major service cuts at the end of the month, but it's expected to face challenges from Democrats in the state House.

The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday effectively killed two bills for mass transit and overall spending — signaling that the state’s divided legislature remains at a stalemate over a budget on the eve of SEPTA’s funding deadline for enacting major service cuts.

Democrats expressed frustration with the change, saying the money is already earmarked for necessary system and safety upgrades.