Jun. 28, 2016
HARRISBURG- Reps. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield/Elk) and Tommy Sankey
(R-Clearfield/Cambria) voted to support a fiscally responsible state budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year. The legislation calls for a budget of $31.55 billion—nearly $2 billion less than originally proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf and does not rely on any broad-based tax increases to balance. Wolf previously had proposed more than $3 billion in tax increases, including an 11 percent increase in the Personal Income Tax.
The budget was approved by a bipartisan vote of 132-68 and heads to the Senate for consideration. Gabler and Sankey issued the following statement after this evening’s vote:
“In passing this fiscally responsible budget, we have proven once again that job-crushing tax increases are simply unnecessary. We are proud to advance a budget that will ensure that Pennsylvanians will not see increases in their income or sales taxes, despite the rhetoric we have heard for the past two years. This budget protects taxpayers and the middle class while responsibly funding the priorities that everyday citizens can reasonably expect state government to fulfill.
“This budget invests an additional $250 million in our schools and provides an honest accounting of our state’s finances. While much remains to be done to address our long-term cost drivers, including pension payments, federal health care mandates and corrections, this budget is a positive step toward strengthening our state’s financial health. We are committed to continuing the fight for meaningful pension reform to protect taxpayers, schools and agency finances. This budget fully pays our actuarially required contribution to our pension systems as the General Assembly continues to work on reform. This budget also recognizes more than $500 million in savings and efficiencies in the Department of Human Services—all while ensuring that the most vulnerable citizens receive the assistance they need.
“Tonight’s bipartisan vote reflects our willingness to work together and govern responsibly with an on-time budget that protects taxpayers.”
Representative Matt Gabler
75th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Representative Tommy Sankey
73rd District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives