Feb. 04, 2020
Leaders in House say Wolf’s overspending puts state in budget hole
HARRISBURG – House Republican leaders reacted to the governor’s call to increase state spending by $2 billion for fiscal year 2020-21. The governor presented his $36 billion spending proposal today in front of a joint session of the General Assembly.
Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Majority Whip Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York); Policy Committee Chairman Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest); Caucus Chairman Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery); Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland); and Caucus Secretary Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset) issued the following statement:
“From high-achieving, safe schools, to growing jobs and providing opportunities for every Pennsylvanian to thrive in family-sustaining careers, we share many of the same goals Gov. Tom Wolf talked about today.
“However, we believe that the best way to achieve these goals and turn them into a reality for all our citizens is not just with new government programs, more spending and additional debt.
“These approaches to problem-solving oversimplify the core underlying issues driving the need for state government intervention and they ignore the significant investments that are already being made by taxpayers.
“As an example, while our state has enjoyed revenue surpluses during one of the most robust economic times in recent memory, we continue to experience high levels of cost overruns in executive departments, which have resulted in unsustainable supplemental budgetary needs.
“As a result, during the next few months, while we have meaningful debates and discussion over how to meet Pennsylvania’s challenges in the 2020-21 budget, House Republicans intend to seriously engage with our legislative partners and the governor on how we can better manage our resources, programs and investments.
“Every Pennsylvanian sets a budget and must live within the means of that spending plan. It is time for state government to do the same.
“By focusing on best management practices, reducing or eliminating programs that do not produce measurable results, allocating scarce resources properly, and exercising fiscal restraint, we can truly advance a common goal – government that not only works, but serves, respects and effectively manages.”
House Republican Leadership
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Straub
717-260-6397
mstraub@pahousegop.com