Jun. 26, 2019
HARRISBURG - Rep. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after voting for
House Bill 790, the General Appropriations portion of the 2019-20 state budget, which passed the state House today by a vote of 140-62. The legislation may now be taken up by the state Senate.
“This $34 billion budget was made possible by the economic prosperity we are seeing in Pennsylvania. Our economic turnaround is a result of House Republican leadership holding the line on spending and tax increases in the last three budgets.
“In addition, with state income well above official estimates from the Department of Revenue, we are now able to transfer about $300 million into the existing $75 million Rainy Day Fund.
“We worked again this year to rein in spending by keeping it below the Taxpayer Bill of Rights rate of 2% growth and we are proposing no new taxes or fees with this budget.
“I am proud that we are also able to include $160 million for basic education funding, and each of the school districts I represent (Camp Hill, Cumberland Valley, and East Pennsboro Area) will receive on average more than a 3% increase. The budget also ensures that our children have an equal opportunity for a quality education, by proposing a $50 million increase in funding for special education – the largest increase in special education in two decades. We are committed to keeping our students safe by including $60 million for school safety grants for every school district in the Commonwealth.
“Lyme Disease awareness, prevention and research programs were also a priority in crafting this budget. We included $3 million, an increase of 20%, for programs that help thousands of people affected by this debilitating disease.
“I encourage my Senate colleagues to continue putting Pennsylvanians first and ensure future fiscal stability for our Commonwealth by sending this budget to the governor.”
Representative Greg Rothman
87th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Basley
717.772.9843
abasley@pahousegop.com
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