Nov. 20, 2020
HARRISBURG – After state lawmakers earlier this year enacted a partial state budget to fund key government programs and services while giving them time to assess the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today voted for a budget bill approved by the House that includes no new or increased taxes and would fund the government through the end of the fiscal year in June. Simmons released the following statement after the vote:
“We are standing up for taxpayers by adopting a budget with no new or increased taxes. The plan includes no new borrowing and we left some money in the state Rainy Day Fund, which is important because those steps can protect taxpayers against future tax increases.
“We are using the money we have to fund the programs and services Pennsylvanians need. Like a football team making adjustments at halftime, we looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected our Commonwealth during the past five months and adopted a spending plan to get us through the end of the fiscal year in June. We are putting Pennsylvania on a path of recovery and renewal for when this global pandemic comes to an end.”
Representative Justin Simmons
131st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives