Irvin Votes in Support of Emergency Funding for Human Service Programs, Education
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) today cast an affirmative vote in support of a package of emergency state funding bills aimed at delivering critical funding to human service programs and schools while state budget negotiations continue.
“Following the governor’s veto of the no-tax-increase budget we passed in the General Assembly in June, the state has been without an operating budget,” said Irvin. “Although we have attempted to override the governor’s veto of some lines in the budget and put forth a budget compromise in August, our attempts at resolving the budget impasse continue to be denied by the governor and House Democrats. During this time, human service programs and our schools are suffering from a lack of state and federal dollars.”
Funding contained in the emergency funding bills includes state appropriations amounting to $11 billion, which would cover the timeframe of July 1 to Oct. 31. In addition to four months (or 33.3 percent) of state aid, the emergency funding bills would allow $24.3 billion in federal dollars to reach their intended recipients, and PHEAA grants and county child welfare funding would be disbursed at 50 percent.
“By passing this package of bills, we can alleviate the financial strain our human service organizations and schools are currently facing. We can help them continue to provide critical services to our most vulnerable populations and keep the doors of our public schools open,” said Irvin. “There is still a lot of work to be done before a final budget plan is in place, and then days after that until it can be in position to be voted on the General Assembly. This emergency state funding will ensure essential services continue to flow to the people who need it in the interim.
“It is my sincere hope that the governor realizes the necessity of this legislation and agrees to sign it into law. To do anything else is putting politics above the people he claims to serve,” added Irvin.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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