Jul. 05, 2017
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey
(R-Clearfield/Cambria) today voted to support a fiscally-responsible state budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year. The legislation calls for $31.996 billion in spending - more than half a billion dollars less than originally proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf - and does not include tax increases.
Gabler and Sankey released the following statement upon passage of House Bill 218:
“Today’s passage of the 2017-18 spending plan for Pennsylvania is the result of months of hard work in determining Pennsylvanians’ priorities. Since taking the unprecedented step of advancing a transparent budget bill in April, the state House had the opportunity to initiate in-depth and productive conversations with our constituents about their priorities in state government. We were able to incorporate our citizens’ feedback into the final product, while still prioritizing controlling spending and staying within our means.
“This budget makes key investments in education, including an additional $100 million in basic education funding and restoration of the $50 million pupil transportation line item that the governor proposed to cut. These transportation funds are particularly essential for the rural school districts in our area. Additionally, we were able to incorporate priorities that will ease pressure on county budgets in the areas of human services and court-related costs.
“There is still work that remains to be completed to fully wrap up the budget process. We are optimistic that the responsible spending plan contained in this bill will enable us to finalize a package that provides the best possible outcome for Pennsylvania’s hard-working taxpayers.”
Representative Matt Gabler
75th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RepGabler.com / Facebook.com/RepGabler
Representative Tommy Sankey
73rdDistrict, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RepSankey.com / Facebook.com/RepSankey
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com