Ward Supports Supplemental Budget Plan to Restore Governor’s Cuts to Agriculture, Health Care and Education
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Judy Ward (R-Blair) joined the majority of her colleagues in approving a supplemental budget to release critical funding for cuts to areas such as agriculture, education and health care the governor made to the partial 2015-16 budget he signed into law in December. Following the vote on
House Bill 1801, she issued the following statement:
“The supplemental budget bill approved today in the House would provide needed funding for valuable programs and services in various sectors of the Commonwealth. Chief among these would be a 3 percent increase for basic education over funding received in 2014-15, along with a 5 percent increase for higher education. This money will help schools keep their doors open and continue to provide high quality service to students.
“Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Pennsylvania and here in Blair County. Over the past month, we have heard the concerns from those operating Penn State Extension services and the 4-H. They have warned that these programs may need to be shut down without proper state funding, which the governor had cut from the budget.
“I am happy to say that the supplemental budget I voted for today would drive out the money needed by these programs to remain open.
“In addition, money for critical access hospitals, burn centers, corrections and child advocacy centers that was slashed by the governor would also be restored through this legislation – and all without raising taxes on Pennsylvania citizens.
“I urge the governor to realize the critical situation many of these programs are in and sign House Bill 1801 into law. We need to close the books on the 2015-16 budget and get down to business on hashing out a budget for 2016-17.”
To view Ward’s video comments, click here.
For more information on the March supplemental budget for 2015-16, go to
pahousegop.com/201516budget.aspx.
Representative Judy Ward
80th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepJudyWard.com /
Facebook.com/RepWard