As House Prepares FY 2017-18 Budget Bill, Ortitay Says Governor’s Claims of Budget Cuts Don’t Add Up
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today questioned the $2 billion in “budget cuts” Gov. Tom Wolf said he made in his address to the General Assembly on Feb. 7 and in public appearances since.
“While I appreciate the governor’s message of cuts, I believe we have been misled somewhat as the governor’s plan increases spending by $805 million to $32.34 billion, over the current year, and it’s a little disingenuous to say $31.53 billion to $32.34 billion is a cut,” Ortitay said. “After thorough research of the governor’s proposal and three weeks of hearings, the actual cuts don’t even amount to the $700 million shortfall in the current budget.”
An analysis of the budget proposal shows only $379 million in actual line-item cuts. But worse, according to Ortitay, is the governor’s “smoke and mirror” budgeting of essentially borrowing approximately $310 million to pay for current operating expenses.
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am working to develop a plan that is responsible and balanced,” Ortitay said. “It’s time to restart Pennsylvania government and structure it for the 21st century, and how we budget needs to reflect our commitment to restart Pennsylvania.”
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepOrtitay.com /
Facebook.com/RepOrtitay