Jul. 13, 2016
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives approved several budget-related bills today, finalizing the state budget for Fiscal Year 2016-17, House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) said.
“This budget is the latest example of the bipartisanship that has resulted in a number of major legislative accomplishments in recent months to benefit all Pennsylvanians, including legalization of medical marijuana, liquor reform and a fair school funding formula,” Reed said. “We were able to provide a historic level of funding for our schools and money to address the opioid epidemic without placing a heavier burden on taxpayers.
“The new spirit of cooperation also resulted in the timely completion of the budget, avoiding the impasse of last year. We worked hard to prevent the hardships that impacted school districts and human services organizations statewide.”
Working to control costs, the House cut $675 million from the governor’s Department of Human Services budget proposal. The new $31.6 billion spending plan includes $ 11.5 billion for PreK-12 education without the need for increased income or sales taxes.
All school districts in Indiana County will receive additional state funding, totaling $1.4 million, under the spending plan for basic education, special education and Ready to Learn Block Grants. The state budget also provides the state’s share of district Social Security and pension expenses.
Locally, this year’s budget would provide school districts the following funding:
• Blairsville-Saltsburg – $11.1 million, a funding increase of $205,052.
• Homer-Center – $ 6.3 million, a funding increase of $138,681.
• Indiana Area – $11.3 million, a funding increase of $267,016.
• Marion Center – $10.7 million, a funding increase of $143,271.
• Penns Manor Area – $8.2 million, a funding increase of $132,560.
• Purchase Line – $9.9 million, a funding increase of $347,068.
• United – $9.9 million, a funding increase of $136,350.
The budget also includes a funding increase for the State System of Higher Education (SSHE), which would have an important impact on Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). All told, the new state budget provides the SSHE with $444.2 million.
Due to federal mandates, pension payments, and increased corrections and health care costs, the Commonwealth needed to raise more than $1.2 billion in new revenue. The additional revenue required to balance the budget will be generated by a number of new, recurring sources, including proceeds from gaming expansions, tax increases on various tobacco products, a digital download tax, proceeds from the new wine privatization plan and a tax amnesty program.
The budget-related bills now go to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Representative Dave Reed, Majority Leader
62nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
RepDaveReed.net