Feb. 07, 2017
HARRISBURG – House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) today joined his colleagues in listening to Gov. Tom Wolf present his 2017-18 budget proposal during a joint session of the House and Senate. He issued the following statement in reaction to the governor’s $32.3 billion spending plan:
“We look at this as a 180-degree turn for the governor. It is a more realistic starting point to the budget process. Two years ago, the governor proposed $12 billion in new taxes, including higher income and sales taxes – which are gone from this spending plan.
“We are very pleased he has joined us in looking at ways to reshape how we do budgeting in the Commonwealth. We are heartened that he took the time to put together $2 billion worth of cost efficiencies, spending reductions, mergers and consolidations, while still investing in the core functions of state government – basic education, early childhood education, transportation, economic development and human services.
“We have other prioritized issues we want to examine in conjunction with the budget process, such as resolving our debt situation. We want to take a look at reforming our pension system, so that we not only get short-term savings but long-term sustainability. We also have many members who want to change the property tax system, as well.
“There will be a lot of questions about philosophy and logistics as we begin the budget process in the coming days. There will obviously be concern regarding his billion-dollar revenue package. But, we view the governor’s address as a step in the right direction. We want to continue moving in that direction with House Democrats, the Senate and the administration.
“It is time to move forward with this opportunity to restructure and reinvent our state government.”
For more information on Reed and his legislative priorities, please visit
repdavereed.net or
Facebook.com/RepReed.
Representative Dave Reed
62nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepDaveReed.net /
Facebook.com/RepReed