Responsible Budget Plan Voted Down By Dem House Majority
by Ron Marsico
State Representative (R-Lower Paxton)
State House Democrats today voted AGAINST a balanced budget proposal that would have protected you from higher taxes while still funding vital government services.
I was not a part of that majority.
I supported this proposal because:
"¢ Now is NOT the time to take more money out of your wallets through increased taxes.
"¢ Now is NOT the time to increase government spending by well over $1 billion.
"¢ Now is NOT the time to eliminate funding for all higher education to balance the budget.
Our plan, offered by Republican Appropriations Committee Chairman Mario Civera of Delaware County, is the right kind of budget for today's economic times:
"¢ It cuts spending and forces government to live within its means, just like you and your family have to do.
"¢ It uses a mix of state and federal stimulus funds to increase our investment in public education so our students are well prepared for the future.
"¢ It funds vital government services, including higher education, public safety, public welfare programs, hospitals, state parks and more.
House Bill 1416, without the Civera amendment, is both unbalanced and irresponsible:
"¢ In the face of the worst recession since the Great Depression, it increases spending to $29.1 billion "" the most expensive budget proposal in Pennsylvania history.
"¢ It zeroes out $1.2 billion in funding for community colleges, State System of Higher Education universities and the state grant program at the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and jeopardizes federal stimulus funding for higher education.
"¢ Lawmakers who voted against this proposal are essentially voting to increase your taxes!!
House Bill 1416, without the Civera amendment, is scheduled for a final vote on Friday. I expect it will pass in the House, despite my negative vote.
I trust the Senate will do the right thing and push for the same kind of no-tax-increase, fiscally responsible budget we are fighting for in the House. The final budget must achieve passage in the House and Senate and be signed into law by the governor. There are still many more opportunities for common sense to prevail and end up with a balanced, no-tax-increase budget that funds Pennsylvania's priorities.
Keep up with state budget news here.
Contact Information
District Office:
4401 Linglestown Road, Suite B
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 717-652-3721
Fax: 717-652-6276 Harrisburg Office:
218 Ryan Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-783-2014
Fax: 717-705-2010