Jun. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG – Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette/Somerset) announced today that
House Bill 2121, which is the 2018-19 budget bill, has been passed by the House and now goes to the Senate for concurrence.
“I feel confident in supporting the 2018-19 budget because, unlike last year’s budget where we tried to balance the spending number through long-term borrowing, we were able to increase our spending number which is well within the rate of inflation and Tabor,” Dowling stated. “I support the increases in funding line items like basic education, school security, and our community hospitals. The recent upswing in our economy has allowed us to fund this year's spend number with no increases in taxes or fees within the Commonwealth.”
For additional comments from Rep. Dowling, please go here.
One of the main focuses for the 2018-19 budget is to maintain fiscal restraint on government spending. Currently, the General Fund Spending Growth increased to 1.7 percent, which falls below the inflation rate. In addition to this, the budget allows for the state government to put money into the Rainy Day Fund, which has not happened since the 2006-07 fiscal year when the recession occurred. This was made possible due to no new tax or fee increases proposed in the budget.
This year’s budget also includes items such as:
• A new $60 million initiative to ensure Pennsylvania’s children are in a safe learning environment.
• Increased funding for basic education, early childhood education and special education.
• A 3 percent increase for Pennsylvania’s state-related universities, community colleges and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
• A 3.3 percent increase for the State System of Higher Education.
• A $4 million increase for EMS agencies across Pennsylvania.
House Bill 2121 passed the House with a vote of 188-10.
Representative Matthew Dowling
51st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abby Krueger
717.260.6617
akrueger@pahousegop.com
RepDowling.com /
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