HARRISBURG – A spending plan for fiscal year 2013-14 is now in place after being signed into law Sunday night, by Gov. Tom Corbett. This followed concurrence on amendments made to House Bill 1437, the general appropriations portion of the 2013-14 state budget, by the state House.
State Rep. Tommy Sankey (R-Clearfield), who represents the 74th District, issued this statement in reaction to enactment of the budget bill:
“The bill that was signed into law spends responsibly and supports essential services. It does so without incurring new debt or raising taxes, which is critical in light of the pending loss of $220 million due to federal government cuts to education, health and welfare programs.
“The budget we put into place forces state government to live within its means, just as many of you must do with your own personal budgets. It invests a record $10 billion total of state dollars in K-12 education. This continues a trend of increased basic education funding that began with the current administration, after Gov. Ed Rendell cut state support during his final two years in office, and backfilled using federal stimulus money that was only temporary so he could fund projects in Philadelphia.
“It has been said by some of my House colleagues that we didn’t spend enough in certain areas of the budget. To the accusers, I simply ask you to take into account what state government does. It takes money from the paychecks of working people and gives it to people who, in some cases, choose not to work.
“We, the members of the General Assembly, get paid out of your paycheck. To those who say, ‘We need more,’ I say, ‘Shame on you.’”
Questions about this or any other legislative topic may be directed to Sankey via email at Tsankey@pahousegop.com or through his Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RepSankey.