Keller Supports Budget Proposal to Break Budget Impasse
As the budget impasse continues to drag on in Harrisburg, Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Franklin) today announced his support of legislation introduced by Rep. Mario Civera (R-Delaware), Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, which would put a fiscally responsible, balanced, no-tax increase budget in place for Pennsylvania.
“This budget delay has gone on for too long and it needs to be put to rest,” Keller said. “Thousands of Pennsylvanians are being affected by the lack of funding for programs and services, while the governor continues his rant that more spending and higher taxes are the only way. We have sufficient revenue flowing into the treasury that will sustain the state’s vital programs without the need to raise taxes.”
Under the proposal, spending for the 2009-10 fiscal year would be set at $27.47 billion, which is $710 million less than the budget approved for 2008-09. Most importantly, this plan includes no broad-based tax increases and secures the Commonwealth’s financial standing over the next few years.
“Obviously, our budgeting process looks at short-term needs, but we also need to look long term to secure our fiscal health,” Keller said. “The governor wants to increase state spending on top of what the federal government is providing Pennsylvania with stimulus dollars, but this would create a major shortfall in 2011 when these stimulus funds run out.”
Keller noted that this budget plan is a result of a bipartisan effort to bring about a responsible resolution in order to get funds flowing to counties, school districts, college students, community colleges, the State System of Higher Education (SSHE) and social service agencies.
Although prior budget proposals eliminated funding for key programs, Keller is pleased that the current proposal would restore funding for crop insurance, agriculture research, payments to Pennsylvania fairs, burn centers, critical access hospitals, trauma centers, obstetric and neonatal services and regional cancer institutes.
This plan also increases funding in several line items including:
- $150 million more for basic education, totaling $5.38 billion.
- $19.7 million in additional funding for Head Start, totaling $39.5 million.
- $13 million more for public libraries, totaling $50 million.
- $12 million more in funding for veterans homes.
“With the current state of the economy and an uncertain future ahead of us, this budget prepares Pennsylvania for tomorrow by preserving sizable balances in the Rainy Day Fund and the Health Care Provider Retention Account,” Keller said. “Retaining money in these accounts may be important when federal stimulus dollars are exhausted.”
Rep. Mark Keller
86th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 582-8119
Contact: Tim Eller
House Republican Public Relations
teller@pahousegop.com
(717) 260-6242