Feb. 07, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) said he is encouraged by the budget proposal Gov. Tom Wolf presented to a joint session of the General Assembly today because it reflects Pennsylvania’s fiscal realities.
“The governor’s budget proposal contains no broad-based taxes, and unlike past years, it limits spending while attempting to make government smaller and more efficient,” said Staats. “While there are areas of concern, the governor’s budget reflects movement in the right direction, and I am hopeful we will be able to work through our differences and produce a final budget by June 30 that is fair and meets the needs of Pennsylvania citizens.”
Wolf recently announced plans to close a state prison in Pittsburgh and to consolidate four health-related state agencies — the Departments of Health, Human Services, Aging, and Drug and Alcohol Problems — under a new Department of Health and Human Services. His budget also proposes to combine the departments of Probation and Parole and Corrections to form the Department of Criminal Justice. Further consolidation may be warranted.
“Clearly, we all need to closely examine the way state government operates to ensure that we are being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” said Staats. “Today, the governor indicated that he may now be willing to consider some of the bold moves that will be required to bring state spending under control.”
Representative Craig Staats
145th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com