Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – The state House today moved the General Assembly one step closer to finalizing a spending plan for 2019-20 by passing
House Bill 790, the General Appropriations portion of the state budget, by a 140-62 margin, according to state Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Bushkill Township). The legislation may now be taken up by the state Senate.
Hahn, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued this statement following passage of the bill:
“With today’s vote, a state budget for the upcoming fiscal year is closer to being put into place. Its strengths are the bipartisan support it received in the House and its lack of new taxes and tax increases. Spending was increased responsibly within the rate of inflation, and the amount of money that will be transferred to the Rainy Day Fund will be 3-4 times the existing balance of $75 million (that amount will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year).
“The 2019-20 budget also strongly supports education, as each of the school districts I represent (Bethlehem Area, Nazareth Area, Northampton Area and Pen Argyl Area) will receive a more than 3% increase. As co-chairman of the Community College Caucus, I’m pleased to see schools like Northampton County Community College also get a boost. In addition, the General Assembly is standing by its commitment to career and technical education with an increase in funding for schools like the Career Institute of Technology.
“I’m a member of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, so it’s gratifying to see us finally treating the agriculture industry with the respect it deserves. I’m pleased that Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed cuts to ag programs are being restored and three new line items added as part of a nearly 13% increase in total spending. We’ve also increased funding to address the spotted lanternfly, which threatens to do damage to Pennsylvania’s grape, tree-fruit, hardwood, nursery and landscape industries.
“This budget keeps Pennsylvania on a path to prosperity. I encourage my Senate colleagues to do likewise in passing it to the governor for his signature.”
Questions about this or any state government issue should be directed to Hahn’s district office at 610-746-2100.
Representative Marcia Hahn
138th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com
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