HARRISBURG – State Reps. Dan Moul (R-Adams) and Will Tallman (R-Adams/Cumberland) today asked Gov. Tom Wolf to sign into law legislation that would end the threat of Pennsylvania schools shutting their doors and close the funding gap he created Dec. 29 by line-item vetoing portions of the 2015-16 budget before signing it into law. House Bill 1801, which passed with bipartisan support, would supplement spending for the current fiscal year by funding the core functions of government.

Moul and Tallman issued the following statement after passage of House Bill 1801, which increases basic education funding by $200 million and restores support for agriculture – Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry – and correctional facilities across the state:

“To date, the hallmark of this administration has been ‘government by crisis.’ On Dec. 29, Gov. Wolf admitted to holding school children hostage with his full veto of the budget on June 30. That same veto placed in jeopardy the ability of domestic violence and rape crisis centers to assist those in need of their services.

“By signing this legislation into law, the governor will end the imminent threat to students and their parents of Pennsylvania’s public schools closing their doors. House Bill 1801 not only reinstates Gov. Wolf’s funding cut, but also increases basic education funding by $200 million over 2014-15.

“The governor can also avoid the crisis he created that has resulted in severe cuts to agriculture, our state’s No. 1 industry. The jobs of the Penn State Extension’s 1,100 employees will no longer be in the balance. The more than 100,000 volunteers who assist the extension service in worthwhile endeavors such as 4-H will be able to continue their support for the future of farming.

“It is unfortunate Gov. Wolf continues to hold out for broad-based tax increases for which there obviously is not sufficient support. To date, a serious crisis related to his budget vetoes has not occurred. We’re not sure how much longer that will be the case.”

Representative Dan Moul
91st District                                                                                                              
Pennsylvania House of Representatives                     
Media Contact:  Donna Pinkham,  dpinkham@pahousegop.com                                                                           
RepMoul.com 

Representative Will Tallman                                                                                    
193rd District                                                                                             
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little, slittle@pahousegop.com                                                               
RepWillTallman.com