Jun. 28, 2016
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) today joined a bipartisan majority of her House colleagues in passing the Commonwealth’s General Fund budget plan for fiscal year 2016-17 by a vote of 132-68.
Toohil issued the following statement regarding the legislation:
“There is much to report about the budget bill that should come as welcome news. For the second year in a row, we were able to put together a spending plan without the need for any broad-based tax increases. We are continuing to stand up for Pennsylvania taxpayers by holding the line on the governor’s tax-and-spend proposals.
“The plan also provides for another historic investment in our public schools. Included in the $5.89 billion allocation is a $200 million increase for basic education, an additional $25 million for the Pre-K Counts program, a $20 million boost for special education and $5 million more for Head Start.
“We urge the Senate to pass the bill quickly and for the governor to sign it, in order to avoid any delay in getting state funding released to the school districts and government agencies that suffered during last year’s lengthy budget impasse.”
The legislation,
Senate Bill 1073, sets total state spending at $31.55 billion, which is $1.49 billion, or 4.8 percent, more than the current fiscal year due to mandated increases, such as additional funding for pensions, corrections and the state police. The balanced and sustainable budget plan does not call for any new or increased income or sales taxes.
The proposal raises new, recurring revenues from a mix of sources, including increased taxes on tobacco products, reforms to the liquor sales system, expanded gaming and a tax amnesty program. The bill now heads back to the Senate for concurrence.
Representative Tarah Toohil
116th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Rep. Toohil’s Office
RepToohil.com /
Facebook.com/RepToohil