Feb. 20, 2018
By Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair)
February has turned out to be a busy month in state government. First of all, the governor unveiled his state budget proposal on Feb. 6, which calls for $33 billion in spending. That spend number is about $1 billion more than the current year. I know we can do better than that. Through a more fiscally minded approach to government spending, we can certainly keep our budget in check while still meeting our obligations and improving some areas through fewer redundancies and streamlining services.
I am glad to hear that the governor has taken the broad-based sales or income tax increases off the table that he has called for in his previous budget proposals. However, he still wants to burden the natural gas industry with additional taxes, even though they already pay standard businesses taxes and an impact fee. This over-taxation of a single industry will hurt its growth here in the state and have a negative impact on the price of natural gas for consumers.
The governor is also asking for additional investments in education, workforce development, and career and technical education, as well as continued funding to address the opioid epidemic.
After the address to the joint session, House Republicans continued our call to stand up for taxpayers by outlining four principles we want to see in the next enacted budget:
• Developing work and economic opportunities.
• Educating for success.
• Escaping government dysfunction.
• Protecting families and communities.
By focusing on these four pillars along with more stringent fiscal restraint, I believe we can craft a budget that meets our obligations while continuing to move us forward as a state.
Hearings on the governor’s budget proposal, conducted by the House Appropriations Committee, began Feb. 20. To watch the hearings and for more information about the budget proposal go to
PaBudget.com.
In other news, I have teamed up with Speaker of the House Mike Turzai to introduce legislation (
House Bill 2050) that would prohibit the abortion of a child due solely to a diagnosis of possible Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is a congenital, chromosome abnormality causing developmental delays and physical limitations impacting a child’s height and facial appearance. In recent years, celebrity support and public awareness about advances in support for families impacted by the condition have dramatically improved the life span and educational and work opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome.
According to recent reports, at the turn of the 20th century a baby diagnosed with Down syndrome was not expected to live past their 10th birthday. In 2018, the life expectancy for an individual with Down syndrome has been extended to age 60 and beyond.
Under current law, a woman can obtain an abortion prior to 24 weeks gestational age for any reason, except if the woman’s sole reason is to select the sex of the child. House Bill 2050 will expand that exception to prohibit aborting a child due solely to a prenatal diagnosis that the unborn child has Down syndrome. The law would have no restrictions on a mother obtaining an abortion in cases of rape, incest or personal endangerment.
Studies show that as many as nine out of 10 children diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome are aborted in the United States, and mothers are being indirectly or directly pressured or advised to make this decision by genetic counselors and the culture.
The truth is that the future has never been brighter for babies born with Down syndrome. Medical and social advances have changed what it means to live with this condition. Down syndrome means that opportunities exist in every area of school, community and even professional life. We’ve learned too much to accept that Down syndrome citizens should be considered anything less than full members of the community.
Four other states have taken steps to protect these children by passing laws prohibiting abortions because of a Down syndrome diagnosis. I look forward to advancing this legislation through the General Assembly.
Representative Judy Ward
80th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepJudyWard.com /
Facebook.com/RepJudyWard