Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Centre/Clinton) issued the following statement today regarding her “no” vote on the $33.9 billion 2019-20 state budget that was advanced by the Pennsylvania House today:
“Let me begin saying that this year’s budget has a lot of good things in store for the people of the 76th Legislative District. First and foremost, there are no new taxes, no job-killing natural gas severance tax and no mandatory minimum wage increase for employers that would lead to rampant unemployment.
It also does not include the governor’s proposal to collect a per person fee from every municipality covered by the Pennsylvania State Police.”
“Thanks largely to the Trump tax cuts and unprecedented economic growth, this year’s budget more than adequately funds our Commonwealth’s core government functions, including more historic investments in K-12 education, public safety and agriculture benefitting District 76 communities, families and farmers.
“House Republicans have fought hard against repeated attempts by the governor to raise taxes and overspend, and that fiscal restraint is paying off as at least $250 million is being returned to the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund.
“However, the total level of spending still exceeds the Taxpayer Protection Act Index by more than $596 million—a nearly 5 percent spending increase over last year’s enacted budget. In fact, state spending has exponentially increased by an estimated $14 billion since 2010.
“My primary reason for voting no can be summarized by the founding principle that a smaller, limited government who governs best, governs least. Effectively and transparently governing on behalf of the people means eliminating wasteful spending, saying no to increasing state debt and fighting to reduce taxes for everyone.
“By all of these standards, this year’s budget is good, but still not good enough for District 76 taxpayers or the Commonwealth’s fiscal future.”
Representative Stephanie Borowicz
76th Legislative District
Media Contact: Ty McCauslin
717.772.9979
RepStephanie.com /
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