Dec. 08, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-Chester) today joined the majority of his colleagues in an affirmative vote for a $30.2 billion budget that would dedicate a record $10.7 billion to preK-12 education while also respecting the Commonwealth’s financial limitations.
“The state spending plan would increase spending by more than $1 billion, or 3.7 percent, compared to the last enacted state budget,” Lewis said. “It strikes an appropriate balance between fulfilling the needs of the Commonwealth without burdening the taxpayers.”
Unlike Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal – which included a $4.7 billion tax package comprised of a Personal Income Tax increase, a sales tax increase and broadening, tobacco taxes and a lottery earnings tax – the proposed budget does not include broad-based tax increases or any borrowing.
“As state agencies that provide vital services to many Pennsylvania citizens have been forced to struggle without necessary state funding, today’s vote is a strong step toward real relief,” Lewis said. “It is my hope that the Senate and the governor will also support this spending plan.”
The original budget proposal was presented to the governor more than 160 days ago, and an unsuccessful budget override vote to help hurting state agencies was cast in August. Since then, numerous budget bills have been considered.
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Harry Lewis
74th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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