Apr. 04, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) today supported a budget that would provide additional funding for preK-12 education without any broad-based tax increases.
“While this budget limits spending – in fact, it would spend $245 million less than the current year’s budget – it prioritizes core government services. Education for the children of the Commonwealth remains a commitment of the Legislature as evidenced by this budget,” Quigley said.
The $100 million increase in Basic Education Funding would be distributed according to the Fair Funding Formula, ensuring that the money is allocated based on district based factors such as the wealth of the district, its current tax effort and ability to raise revenue.
Special education would receive a $25 million increase and PreK Counts would receive an extra $20 million.
With this budget, Republicans will have increased preK-12 education funding by $1 billion since the 2015-16 fiscal year.
Despite including record money for education, the budget does not include any broad-based tax increases. Instead, it is balanced by pursuing governmental efficiencies. Duplicative services will be eliminated, and several state agencies will be merged while continuing to benefit Pennsylvanians.
“No budget is perfect, but this is a strong start to the process. As the budget works to better serve Commonwealth residents, it made sense to take a different approach to the budget process. Given the early start, the public will gain from the improved transparency.”
As
House Bill 218 was passed in the House, it now awaits a vote in the Senate.
Representative Tom Quigley
146th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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