Nesbit Casts Historic Override Votes to Help Fund Human Service Agencies
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tedd Nesbit (R-Mercer/Butler) issued the following statement after casting several votes in an attempt to override parts of the governor’s vetoed state budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year:
“Our actions today signal our intent to fund our local human service agencies that have been struggling without state funding since the full budget veto nearly eight weeks ago – and to get them their funding as soon as we possibly can. Many of these agencies are taking out loans or relying on other means of support, but they are now starting to grasp at straws during a situation that was entirely preventable.
“I’ve heard from a child welfare advocate who understands the budget process and the various factors of it but is worried about both the short- and long-term costs of going with funding – even money from the federal government that can’t get to them because of the veto. She worries about the children and families who won’t be served, the individuals who may lose their jobs and the additional youth who may be at risk due to a loss of prevention services. That’s why we were here today – to try and get this money flowing so that these people don’t have to face these consequences.
“These override votes, which unfortunately did not gain the two-thirds support necessary, were the most expeditious way to help the organizations receive their state funding – and at levels on which we all agreed.
“Our goal today is to help make sure that those who need this funding are getting it. These are real people with real problems, and we believe this to be a real solution to getting them the help they need. I am disappointed the votes didn’t pass.
“In speaking back home with the residents I serve – from the working families sending their first kid to college to the senior citizen worried about buying their food and medication -- they are clear in their opposition against the administration’s massive tax hikes. They can’t afford them and they expect government to live within its means and not pass the burden onto them.
Representative Tedd Nesbit
8th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
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