Jun. 25, 2021
HARRISBURG – Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) voted in support of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2021-22, which passed the House today. Gaydos issued the following statement in response to the state budget supporting core government services:
“The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on many families and businesses over the last year and there is a lot of work yet to do to fully restore our economy. While the budget reflects an 8.8% increase over last year’s budget, this spending plan includes no new taxes and will deposit more than $2.52 billion into the Rainy Day Fund, growing it to a historic $2.76 million.
“One of the top priorities in this budget is education. Children are our future, and the betterment of the Commonwealth hinges on their paths to success. The budget for PreK-12 education would be $13.55 billion, which is a record high. Early childhood education funding, which includes Pre-K and Head Start, would see a $30 million increase. Special education funding would see a $50 million increase. Additionally, $350 million in federal relief funding would be dedicated to address learning loss, summer enrichment and after school programs. A system redesign of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) would be backed by this budget, as $50 million in federal relief funding would assist with integration.
“Finally, I continue to be a strong advocate of protecting our most vulnerable citizens. Recognizing the ongoing costs related to COVID-19 mitigation, the budget allocates $282 million in federal relief funds to help nursing homes, assisted living and person care homes with costs related to personal protective equipment (PPE), staff testing and other pandemic-related costs. The budget also includes money to take care of those with intellectual disabilities.”
While the 2021-22 budget increase of 8.8 % exceeds inflation and population growth which significantly exceeds the increase under the Taxpayer Protection Act index of $654 million (1.79%), the spending increases were mostly directed to areas hurt by COVID-19 which had to be addressed this year. Hopefully, in future years we will continue to work on living within our means so that we will never be caught off guard again should the state face another pandemic.
For more information of the 2021-22 state budget, go here.
Representative Valerie Gaydos
44th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Rick Leiner
717.260.6437
rleiner@pahousegop.com
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