Baker Supports Emergency Funding Bill for Social Service Programs, Education
HARRISBURG – Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter) today cast an affirmative vote on emergency funding legislation that was approved by the state House and sent to the governor. The set of bills approved would ensure certain social service agencies and schools receive critical funding until a compromise state budget plan can be agreed upon.
“Due to the governor’s unwillingness to compromise, we have been left without a state budget since July 1,” said Baker. “The loss of state aid over the past three months has put a strain on many social service agencies, such as rape crisis and domestic violence centers, cancer screening services and programs that work with children with intellectual disabilities. Schools are also suffering from the loss of funding they rely on to meet their financial obligations. Although we are still working diligently on a final budget plan, this is a step we can take to ensure our most vulnerable citizens are taken care of in the interim.”
The funding contained in the bills includes state appropriations amounting to $11 billion, which would cover the timeframe of July 1 to Oct. 31. In addition to four months (or 33.3 percent) of state aid, the emergency funding bills would allow $24.3 billion in federal dollars to reach their intended recipients, and PHEAA grants and county child welfare funding would be disbursed at 50 percent.
“This is the third time House Republicans have put up votes to ensure budget appropriations reach their intended targets, and I am hopeful this time the governor will sign the bills and help our schools and social service organizations stay afloat until a final budget plan is in place,” Baker added.
The emergency state funding bills now await a decision by the governor to be signed into law or vetoed.
Representative Matthew Baker
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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