HARRISBURG – Gov. Edward G. Rendell issued the following statement in reaction to the version of the budget being discussed by Republicans in the House of Representatives:
“The budget proposal being described by House Republicans is contrary to the best interests of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its taxpayers, and – especially – its students.
“It relies on $1.5 billion in one-time revenue sources, setting Pennsylvanians up for future tax increases. It makes devastating cuts to public schools that will diminish the quality of education, while causing permanent property tax increases rather than a temporary increase in the Personal Income Tax.
“It makes devastating cuts to essential public services, which will come at a high human cost. Those cuts will also result in jobs losses in both the public and private sector that will increase unemployment, shrinking our economy and hindering our efforts to emerge from this recession.”
