Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) is “Standing Up For Taxpayers” by voting in favor of
House Bill 790, the general appropriations portion of the 2019-20 state budget package of Legislation. After the vote, Tobash made the following comments:
“It is important for the people to know that over the last few years, we have erased the state’s budget deficit. This year’s budget is the culmination of several years of fiscal restraint and planning on the part of the legislature. We have worked hard to reduce spending while not imposing any additional tax hikes. At the present time, businesses are expanding which means more people with family-sustaining jobs.
“Due to this turnaround in the economy, state revenues are up and the Commonwealth is in a better position to meet our financial needs. In addition, we are now able to set money aside into the state’s Rainy Day Fund for times of future need.
“In order to grow our economy, it is imperative that we connect our education system with the needs of job creators. I believe we should work to provide additional financial resources to invest in today’s students, who will become tomorrow’s workforce. I have spearheaded legislation that builds on the career and technical education passed by the House. In this budget, career and technical education would receive a $10 million increase. PreK-12 education would be increased by $432 million to the highest level in state history, $160 million for basic education funding and an additional $25 million would be allocated to the expansion of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. This tax credit will offer scholarship money to schools of choice.
“I was glad to see additional funding for our state’s largest industry, agriculture. Our state’s farmers will see an additional $19.5 million in funding in this budget, including the creation of an Agriculture Business and Workforce Investment program, ensuring new farmers have the tools they need to succeed in the Commonwealth.
“This is a very realistic revenue plan. Because we have been good financial stewards, we do not have to borrow money from outside investors or tax consumers. This revenue plan is the same way that a household or small business in Pennsylvania would handle a pinch – they use their savings because that is what savings are for.”
Representative Mike Tobash
125th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives