Sep. 29, 2015
By Rep. Matt Baker (R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter)
On Sept. 24, I voted for emergency state funding legislation designed to providing critical financial relief to school districts and social service agencies impacted by the prolonged budget impasse. The bills were approved by both the House and Senate and sent to the governor for his signature into law.
Passage of the emergency funding bills is the best and most immediate way to help schools, counties and social service agencies that saw their state aid end July 1, following Gov. Tom Wolf’s full veto of the balanced, no-tax-increase state budget passed by the Legislature on June 30.
I am disappointed the governor has chosen to forgo the two balanced budget proposals we have presented him thus far, and block each attempt we have made to provide relief to our schools and social service organizations that rely on state funding to continue operating. These are organizations that help abused women and children, provide assistance to the elderly and help other vulnerable populations in the state.
Instead of giving them temporary financial relief until a final budget agreement can be worked out, the governor has chosen to hold them hostage in order to put pressure on the Legislature to pass the budget he favors – one that would increase taxes on the money you earn as well as on the products and services you purchase. That’s right, according to the governor’s plan, which did not garner one single vote in the House when it was brought up for a vote on June 1, he wants to take more money out of your paycheck through an increase in the Personal Income Tax, increase the cost of products and services you purchase through a higher Sales and Use Tax, and tax a greater list of consumables and services.
The plan introduced and backed by the state Legislature would increase funding for education and other critical areas of the budget, yet keep spending to a minimum and avoid any new or increased taxes on the people of Pennsylvania.
The emergency funding package we passed is also critical because once we release state aid to some of these organizations and our public schools, they can then access federal dollars available to them.
Unfortunately, Gov. Wolf has chosen to veto the emergency funding legislation and drive more organizations that rely on state funding to seek lines of credit that will need to be paid back with interest, or cut services, reduce hours, furlough staff or close their doors completely until a final budget is resolved. Each of these options is unacceptable to me when we could easily provide them with state aid while we continue to work on a final budget compromise in Harrisburg.
No one should have to suffer while the governor and the Legislature continue to hash out a final budget; unfortunately, the governor seeks to hold hostage those who are the most vulnerable.
Representative Matthew Baker
68th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
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