Jun. 28, 2016
HARRISBURG –Today, in a bipartisan vote, the House of Representatives passed a $31.55 billion state budget that would support the core functions of government, increase funding for education to historic levels, adequately fund state pension debt payments and allocate new monies for desperately needed emergency addiction treatments, without relying on any broad-based tax increases.
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) issued this statement in support of the on-time, budget compromise:
“Last year, right out of the gate, Gov. Tom Wolf asked for $5 billion in new taxes on Pennsylvanians. That unreasonable request resulted in the longest budget impasse in state history, which negatively impacted our schools, children and most vulnerable citizens.
“This year at the start of the budget process, he asked for $2.7 billion in new taxes, including significant increases in the Personal Income Tax and state sales tax. Today, I am encouraged that given those demands, we were able to get strong bipartisan support, before June 30, for a budget that controls government spending and protects taxpayers from the governor’s tax hikes.
“The spending plan approved today invests $245 million in new education funding, bringing the total state dollars for education to the highest amount in state history. The budget also includes $15 million to address the state’s drug epidemic, $11 million in additional funding for veterans’ homes, and earmarks an additional $345 million to help reduce the state’s pension debt.
“With any compromise, you give and you take, but over the last year, I’ve heard one consistent message from the people back home: ‘This year, work together to get the job done on time.’
“I take seriously my responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and I believe we have struck a responsible compromise. I look forward to the Senate’s input and am hopeful that they will also be able to act in a bipartisan fashion in order to avoid a repeat of last year’s impasse.”
Representative Kerry Benninghoff
House Majority Policy Committee Chairman
171st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
KerryBenninghoff.com /
Facebook.com/RepBenninghoff