Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) today voted in favor of passage of the 2019-20 state budget, which spends $33.997 billion, a 1.8% increase over the current fiscal year, and contains no new taxes. He also successfully was able to have important environmental funding included in the budget that will help preserve valuable open space across the Commonwealth.
The following is his statement on the budget approved by the House of Representatives earlier today:
“Thanks to several years of pro-growth strategies including not raising taxes, reining in spending and implementing legislation to help advance business and job opportunities, Pennsylvania’s economy is getting stronger every day with improving revenue figures. Because of that, we were able in this budget to put more than $250 million into the state’s Rainy Day Fund. This kind of proactive approach will help stave off future tax increases should the economy take a downturn.
“Although saving money is important, it is also vital that the money we do spend is done so wisely. One of the state’s largest expenditures each budget year is for education and this year’s spending plan is no different. Education investments for PreK-12 education will increase by $432 million. Contained in that funding are increases for basic education, special education, community colleges, state universities, Educational Improvement Tax Credits, career and technical education, and school safety.
“However, perhaps the most personally satisfying for me was the preservation of the Key 93 program, which is the Keystone Recreation Park and Conservation Fund. Established in 1993, Key 93 is a critical funding source for recreation, conservation, and state park and forestry operations. The governor wanted to raid $30 million from the fund. I was able to fight to have the fund protected from such a move, which will ensure the continuation of the program’s efforts to preserve open space and enhance the state’s recreation opportunities. In addition, funding was increased in the General Fund so that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is still fully funded.”
To view Quinn’s video comments regarding the budget, click here.
The budget bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration. For more information on the 2019-20 state budget, go to
PAHouseGOP.com.
Representative Chris Quinn
168th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepChrisQuinn.com /
Facebook.com/RepChrisQuinn