Mar. 17, 2016
HARRISBURG – Voting to keep schools in Pennsylvania open, Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon) on Wednesday joined a bipartisan majority of her colleagues in passing a supplemental spending bill that would complete the 2015-16 state budget.
House Bill 1801 now heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for his consideration.
The governor vetoed more than $6 billion in funding for schools, universities, hospitals, corrections and agriculture from the General Assembly-approved budget in December. This legislation would restore much of that vital funding without any new or increased taxes.
Helm issued the following statement regarding passage of the bill:
“Concern is growing with many of my constituents that their schools may close due to the lack of state funding support. This bill would ease their anxiety and ensure that students would be able to stay in the classroom, where they belong.
“We urge the governor to sign the budget and release our families, students, teachers and administrators who have been held hostage by his actions for far too long. We have been able to provide increased funding for basic and higher education, without the need for higher taxes. This budget also would fully fund agricultural programs, including Penn State Extension, which may be forced to lay off 1,100 employees and end the valuable services they provide to our farming community.
“The time has come to close the book on 2015-16 and move on to negotiating next year’s budget with a goal of getting it done before the June 30 deadline.”
The proposed 2015-16 budget totals $30.031 billion, which is $872.6 million, or 3 percent, more than the 2014-15 spending plan.
Representative Sue Helm
104th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
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