Sep. 24, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. James R. Santora (R-Delaware) along with a majority of his colleagues in the state House sent an emergency state funding package to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk to provide financial relief to struggling social services and school districts.
The funding includes state appropriations amounting to $11 billion, retroactively to July 1 and carrying through to Oct. 31. In addition to four months (or 33.3 percent) of state aid based on House Bill 1192’s levels (which are higher than the 2014-15 state budget), the emergency funding bill allows $24.3 billion in federal dollars to reach their intended recipients, and PHEAA grants and county child welfare funding will be disbursed at 50 percent.
“Some people have attempted to degrade today’s vote by calling it a stunt. I can only assume those people aren’t aware of the impact that the impasse is having, not only on the Commonwealth, but on Delaware County,” Santora said.
On Monday afternoon, the board of directors for Erie’s public schools voted unanimously to authorize the superintendent to shut down the district if it runs out of money. Currently, the district is operating without 60 percent of state tax dollars. In addition to school districts, social service providers are also being handicapped and at risk of closing their doors without the necessary funding.
“In April, a child advocacy center opened in Delaware County. Now, the center is suspending payments to most of its providers but is trying to pay the providers that rely on county funds through human services contracts. This month, they’re evaluating their ability to support services with local funds,” Santora said. “It’s truly shameful to say that helping children who have been sexually or physically abused is a stunt.”
The emergency state funding package is based on recommended line items included in the original budget the General Assembly presented to the governor on June 30, with no new or increased taxes and appropriations higher than last fiscal year in many cases.
“Without the governor’s signature, $11 billion will remain in state accounts—unable to help any Commonwealth citizens. If there’s a political stunt happening, the stunt isn’t releasing funds to human service providers who want to provide much-needed services to the people of the Commonwealth. It’s holding funding hostage that people desperately need in hopes of using it as a negotiation tool,” Santora said.
The General Assembly passed a balanced budget plan on June 30. Within the same hour, the governor vetoed the entire plan, even though 274 out of 401 line items were greater than or equal to what he requested. In August, the House attempted to override some of the governor’s vetoes – only including line items all parties agreed on – but the House Democrats blocked the votes.
“We also brought the governor’s tax proposal up for a vote in the House, but it did not receive a single vote. The Democrats called that vote a gimmick. I encourage them to present Wolf’s budget themselves and also to produce a severance tax that solely funds education,” Santora said. “Instead of simply saying no to our plans, it’s time to try presenting some of their own. Let’s see some action rather than just hearing ‘no’ to plans that are actually proposed. Then we’ll see how much interest there is in a state budget plan that includes a $4.6 billion tax increase.”
“No one wants to pass a full budget more than I do. However, until the budget stalemate is resolved, this emergency funding package is the best way to get money in the hands of those who need it the most,” Santora added.
Representative James R. Santora
163rd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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