Mar. 23, 2016
HARRISBURG – State Reps. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam), Seth Grove (R-Dover), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township), Mike Regan (R-Dillsburg) and Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) issued the following statement in reaction to Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to allow a key piece of 2015-16 budget legislation to become law:
“Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to allow House Bill 1801 to become law is the right thing to do and a win for the Pennsylvania taxpayer. As a result, the threat of school closings will end and Pennsylvania’s No. 1 industry – agriculture – will be funded. This is especially important to farmers who rely heavily on the skills of the Penn State Extension, which conducts invaluable research and serves as a life line in their time of need.
“The governor did say he would veto the fiscal code, which determines how the money in the state budget is driven out. By law, increased funding for schools must be distributed using a mutually agreed-upon formula, which currently does not exist. The best way to fund our schools is by employing the Basic Education Funding Commission’s formula, which Gov. Wolf labeled a ‘big step forward for the people of Pennsylvania and for our education system’ when it was introduced last June.
“The fiscal code also addresses much-needed reform for the Planning and Construction Workbook process, or PlanCon, which is the process by which the state reimburses schools for construction projects. Finalizing this legislation will result in billions of dollars in reimbursements being directed to schools throughout Pennsylvania, a number of which are in York County.
“Our hope is he will recognize the commission’s work in seeking a more equitable method of school funding – one that will benefit York County’s students and school districts.”
York County House Republican Delegation
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
slittle@pahousegop.com