Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) today voted in favor of the 2019-20 state budget, which spends a total of $33.9 billion and includes no new taxes or tax increases.
Irvin issued the following statement in response to his budget vote:
“The 2019-20 budget has bipartisan support and prioritizes saving money for future economic downturns. Within the budget, we were able to set aside more than $250 million for the state’s Rainy Day Fund.
“The fact that we have a surplus that allows us to put money in the Rainy Day Fund is thanks in large part to House Republicans standing up for taxpayers by reining in spending, saying no to tax increases and working to pass strong pro-business and pro-growth legislative measures.
“We also included $10 million for career and technical education to better prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs. Pennsylvania has many family-sustaining job opportunities available, but we need a workforce trained to fill those jobs.
“Agriculture benefits from substantial investments in this year’s budget. House Republicans were able to have all of the governor’s proposed budget cuts to agriculture restored, along with funding for two new line items – Livestock and Consumer Protection and an Animal Health and Diagnostics Commission. It total, the agriculture sector will benefit from a $19.5 million increase in funding.
“This is in addition to several legislative measures recently passed by the House to benefit the state’s agriculture industry, including my
House Bill 1526, which would revise and reestablish a low-interest loan program administered by the State Conservation Commission in conjunction with lending institutions for the implementation of agricultural and conservation best management practices.
“Overall, this is a strong budget that reaches a positive compromise that both legislative chambers and the governor can agree upon.”
The budget bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. For more information, visit
PAHouseGOP.com and click on “2019-20 State Budget.”
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepIrvin.com /
Facebook.com/RepIrvin