Mar. 16, 2016
HARRISBURG– Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today voted to restore the billions of dollars in education funding vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf and close out the 2015-16 state budget without any new taxes or tax increases.
In addition to restoring Wolf’s cuts, the supplemental budget,
House Bill 1801, increases basic education funding by more than $200 million, which is $50 million more than the funding first vetoed by the governor. The plan represents a responsible and affordable 3 percent increase over the 2014-15 budget.
Ortitay made the following statement after the vote:
“Since Gov. Wolf vetoed more than $6 billion in funding in December, I have been fighting to restore those cuts and ensure local schools remain open to the families and students they serve. Unfortunately, up until this point, Gov. Wolf has stood in the way, continuing to demand higher taxes.
“Today, we presented him with yet another opportunity to end the suffering. We put forward a plan that would not only reverse his cuts, but further increase basic and higher education funding, all without new or increased taxes. It is a responsible compromise that would reduce the structural deficit, move us forward and gently close the books on 2015-16.
“I, like many of the people I represent, have been very disappointed by this year’s budget process. On the verge of closing, local schools have been put in an unacceptable position. It is time to release them from the political grip of Harrisburg. There is no justification for allowing them to close.
“If the last nine months has taught us anything, it is that we must begin the budget process for 2016-17 immediately. We need a clear starting point, and cannot responsibly debate next year’s budget until we close the books on this year’s spending plan. I urge Gov. Wolf to do the right thing, release the hostages and sign this supplemental budget into law.”
For more information on the supplemental budget, visit
pahousegop.com.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Wagner
717.260.6281
mwagner@pahousegop.com
RepOrtitay.com /
Facebook.com/RepOrtitay