Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon) today announced that the House of Representatives has passed
House Bill 790, the General Appropriations portion of the state budget, by a 140-62 margin.
The budget addresses several key issues including significant funding increases to agriculture, all levels of education, including community colleges and career and technical education (CTE) and contributions to the Rainy Day Fund. Allocations to CTE include an additional $4 million for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
“The citizens of the 104th District care deeply about these issues, and I am very happy to see them being made budgetary priorities,” said Helm. “Our tax revenue collections have increased since last year, allowing us to increase funding to these important programs without instituting any new taxes or fees, or borrowing any additional money.”
Other highlights include increased funding to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, $26 million in general debt payments and $300 million in payments toward Pennsylvania’s pension debt. This will improve Pennsylvania’s bond rating.
The budget spends a total of $33.997 billion – $149 million less than the governor’s February budget proposal. This 1.8% increase from the 2018-19 fiscal year is in line with the rate of inflation. After the budget is passed, 100% of the General Fund balance – estimated to be at least $250 million – will be transferred to the Rainy Day Fund.
“This budget is fiscally responsible and efficiently allocated,” continued Helm. “I am happy to see this budget be passed by the House and look forward to seeing it cross the finish line.”
For more information on Helm and her legislative priorities, please visit SueHelm.net or Facebook.com/RepHelm.
Representative Sue Helm
104th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Kevin DiGuiseppe
717.260.6149
kdiguiseppe@pahousegop.com
SueHelm.net /
Facebook.com/RepHelm