Jun. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe) today voted for a balanced state budget bill approved by the House that would increase state funding for schools and begin to replenish the state’s emergency savings account without raising taxes.
“This is a balanced, responsible spending plan that protects taxpayers while providing more support for students in our schools,” Rader said. “By growing our economy, we have been able to increase state government revenue without raising taxes. Our pro-growth agenda is enabling us to invest more in our schools and other core functions of government without placing an additional burden on taxpayers.”
The $32.7 billion spending plan represents an increase of a little more than $500 million compared to the current state budget.
The budget calls for a $100 million increase in funding for schools across the Commonwealth as well as a new, $60 million block grant program designed to fund school safety initiatives.
“We want to provide local schools with additional resources specifically to empower them to protect our students,” Rader said. “The school safety funding initiative provides schools with flexibility so they can use the new resources to best meet their needs. Some schools may want to use the money for metal detectors, while others might find it more useful to hire resource officers. The goal is to provide schools with the funding and flexibility to create a safe learning environment for our students.”
The budget also for the first time since the Great Recession would put money into the state’s equivalent of an emergency savings account.
“The Commonwealth – like so many families – used all of its savings during the past couple of years to plug budget holes,” Rader said. “We are working to begin rebuilding that savings account so we will have money set aside for future emergencies. Setting aside a little bit of money when times are relatively good can help prevent tax increases when revenues are down.”
The budget legislation –
House Bill 2121 – now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Jack Rader
176th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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