Sue Helm Rejects State Budget: Spends, Taxes Too Much
by News Article
Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin) today issued the following statement after rejecting the $27.8 billion 2009-10 state budget, which increases revenues by nearly $1.5 billion and fails to adequately protect the Commonwealth from future years of potential economic declines:
"Passage of this budget is proof that the governor and House Democrats have ignored the people of Pennsylvania by increasing revenues and spending, which citizens have overwhelmingly rejected.
"I voted against this budget because it completely exhausts the state's Rainy Day Fund, the Health Care Provider Retention Account (HCPRA) and the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (MCare) fund. This is of concern because if future budgets fall short on revenue, the Commonwealth will be unable to rely on the Rainy Day Fund to fill the deficit, requiring the possibility of massive tax increases. Furthermore, the HCPRA and the MCare fund ensure that adequate medical care is provided to patients throughout Pennsylvania. The raiding of these funds could potentially result in doctors leaving the state, or prevent many new physicians from relocating to the Commonwealth. This is a cost we cannot afford.
"This budget spends more than the state can adequately afford. House Republicans offered an alternative spending plan that avoided any tax increase and prepared the Commonwealth for future years. Despite numerous attempts to bring this measure to the floor, the House Democrat leadership constantly blocked this proposal.
"Although this budget is irresponsible, House Republicans were successful in blocking an increase in the Personal Income Tax, expanding the sales tax and ensuring the final spending plan was below the governor's original $28.9 billion proposal.
"As of the end of September, the Commonwealth has already realized a loss of $140 million in projected revenues. This is evidence of the continued economic decline, which should have played a significant role in creating the 2009-10 budget. Unfortunately, the governor insisted on higher spending, more taxes and the use of one-time revenues to fund his far-reaching agenda. The lack of future planning is indicative of his fiscal mismanagement of taxpayer dollars."
Rep. Susan C. Helm
104th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 651-0100
(717) 787-1230
Contact: Tim Eller
teller@pahousegop.com
(717) 260-6242
Member Site: SueHelm.net
Caucus site: PAHouseGOP.com
District Office: Capitol Office:
2090 Linglestown Rd.
Suite 100
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 651-0100 16 East Main Street
P.O. Box 559
Elizabethville, PA 17023
Phone: (717) 362-1119 Hon. Sue Helm
141A East Wing,
Capitol Complex
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2104
Phone: (717) 787-1230
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