Adjust Text Size

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2009
Back to Releases

Orie: Senate Budget Puts PA on Stable Course Without Tax Hike 

Harrisburg – State Senator Jane Orie (R-40) today joined Senate colleagues to pass a state budget plan that reduces state spending and balances the budget without any tax increases.

Senator Orie said the plan puts the Commonwealth on a stable course for the next two fiscal years, and while it cuts programs, including programs that Senator Orie has supported in the past, it provides for core governmental functions, including more overall funding to school districts and restores funding for higher education.

"What we are doing here today is what hardworking families are doing across Pennsylvania during this recession.  Just as families are living within their means, government will be living within its means," Orie said.

As amended by the Senate, House Bill 1416 reduces overall spending to $27.14 billion for Fiscal Year 2009-10 –a 3.6 percent decrease from last year’s budget.  The proposal includes the cuts proposed in the previous Senate-passed budget (Senate Bill 850), accepts the $500 million in cuts proposed by the Governor on June 26, and incorporates an additional $72 million in cuts from meeting with the Governor.

"I have received thousands of constituent contacts opposing increased taxes.  Those opposing the Governor’s 16 percent increase in the personal income tax are equally balanced between Democrats, Republicans and Independents.  No matter one’s political philosophy, it appears the philosophy of spending within your means resonates no matter your party affiliation," Orie said. "This budget is in touch with every hardworking family across this great Commonwealth – it represents the will of the majority of Pennsylvanians."

Orie said that by enacting the Senate-passed budget, Pennsylvania will be situated to be one of the first places to grow new jobs when the economy recovers.

"What the House Leadership can and should do, especially with pressure from within their own caucus, is act now" said Orie. "They should suspend their rules, as they did last week, and put this responsible budget bill on the Governor’s desk before the end of the week -- and end the use of state workers as political pawns in attempting to generate support for a 16 percent increase in the personal income tax increase, which is overwhelmingly opposed on a bipartisan basis."

CONTACT:

Mike Sarfert
(717) 787-6538