Sep. 24, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) said today that residents receiving vital social services, along with school students, are deserving of state funding now, and that’s why she voted in favor of emergency funding legislation in the state House of Representatives on Thursday.
“The emergency funding we passed in the House is a critical step in helping senior citizens and families relying on social services, college students waiting for financial aid and K-12 students hoping their schools stay open,” Oberlander said. “The impacts of this budget impasse in our communities are growing more desperate with each passing day, and something must be done to help ensure these services continue for those most in need. That’s our job, and we’re stepping up to the plate.”
Senate Bill 1000 calls for four months of state appropriations totaling about $11 billion and is retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1 through Oct. 31. Amounts are based on
House Bill 1192, which was the budget proposal passed by the General Assembly in June and which included higher amounts for these line items than in 2014-15.
In addition, the emergency funding bill would allow $24.3 billion in federal dollars to reach their intended recipients, with PHEAA grants and county child welfare lines disbursed at 50 percent.
“Frankly, I am disappointed in our governor, who has chosen obvious winners and losers in his quest for $8 billion more in new taxes from our hard-working residents and small businesses,” Oberlander said. “The people of the 63rd District cannot afford a budget with such a high price tag, and they have asked me to stand strong against these tax increases. In the meantime, I remain hopeful that this governor can come to the realization that our families in crisis and students are relying on him to do the right thing. We’ve given him emergency funding legislation and I hope he signs it.”
Representative Donna Oberlander
63rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jennifer Keaton
717.705.2094
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
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