Aug. 25, 2015
HARRISBURG — State Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) today in Harrisburg voted with a majority of his colleagues to release state funding to pay for programs that would benefit students, rape victims, cancer patients and other Pennsylvanians.
“We are trying to overcome the gridlock that been in place since the governor vetoed the state budget,” said Vereb.
The votes came in an attempt to override specific state appropriations that were vetoed by the governor when he rejected the state budget bill approved by the General Assembly.
A vote to override a governor’s veto requires a two-thirds majority in the state House. While the votes received support from a majority of state representatives, they did not clear the higher threshold.
Pennsylvania has not had a state budget in place since the new fiscal year began on July 1.
The votes today would have released funding for initiatives that have traditionally received overwhelming bipartisan support.
The House voted on whether to release funding for rape crisis and domestic violence services; cancer screening services; services for children with special needs; health care programs; and grants for students attending colleges or universities.
“We were hoping our colleagues would join with us to release this funding,” said Vereb. “These dollars have been tied up since the governor vetoed the entire budget. We could have worked together to release the funding for these important programs and services. It would have required bipartisan cooperation, which we weren’t able to secure.”
Vereb said he will continue working with his colleagues to finalize a responsible state budget.
Representative Mike Vereb
150th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
DMassing@PaHouseGop.com
RepVereb.com /
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