HARRISBURG, Pa. (EYT) — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives, by a vote of 188-10, passed the 2018-19 state budget sending it to the Senate for consideration.
The $32.7 billion spending plan increases growth by 1.7 percent, which is below the rate of inflation of 2.13 percent and requires no additional revenues and officially erases a deficit.
“A quality budget does not simply focus on more spending but ensures state government is managing its current resources efficiently and effectively,” a joint statement from a number of House Republican leaders including Caucus Secretary Donna Oberlander as well as Speaker of the House Mike Turzai, House Majority Leader Dave Reed, Majority Whip Bryan Cutler, Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor, Policy Committee Chairman Kerry Benninghoff, Caucus Chairman Marcy Toepel, and Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser said. “We have successfully balanced our state budget so we can now fully focus on growing our economy and invest in the future of our Commonwealth, without asking taxpayers to foot an unrealistic bill.
“This budget begins that investment with a record high $12.3 billion for our schools, from pre-k through 12th grade. We increased our investment in career and technical education as well as our higher education system… without raising taxes on hard-working Pennsylvanians.”
Democratic Representative Helen Tai said the budget invests in education, workforce development, roads and bridges and fighting the opioid epidemic.
“As with any compromise, there are pluses and minuses to the budget I considered on behalf of the people I represent,” Tai said. “Overall, the budget makes good on my commitment to building an economy that works for everyone, where the path to opportunity is clear and accessible. The budget makes continuing investments in basic, higher, and career and technical education, as well as workforce development and job creation. It ensures the funding we need to continue to fix our roads and bridges and it recognizes that Pennsylvania, like many other states, is in the fight of its life to combat the opioid and heroin abuse epidemic plaguing our nation.”
House Republicans expect the bill to pass the Senate and then be sent to Governor Tom Wolf prior to June 30. The Commonwealth fiscal year starts July 1 and runs through June 30.
