Mar. 07, 2023
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24:
“Today’s budget proposal offered by the governor is a good starting point for negotiations for a final state budget plan.
“I agree with his goals of providing greater support for career and technical education, workforce development, mental health care, law enforcement and seniors. However, there are two ways to reach a balanced budget – spend less or generate more revenue.
“I have concerns with the amount of new spending and programs he wants to create that would result in depleting all of the state’s reserves within the next several years. The Legislature worked hard to build up billions of dollars in revenue savings at little to no expense to taxpayers, which provides a needed safety net to stave off future tax increases or deal with state emergencies.
“Gov. Shapiro also says he supports all forms of energy production, yet keeping Pennsylvania in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative negatively impacts the state’s energy industry and the jobs it provides. It also negatively impacts consumers who are already struggling under the weight of inflation with higher energy bills. What we need to focus on is the expansion of natural gas production to lower energy bills, provide more jobs and give greater independence from foreign energy suppliers.
“I look forward to digging deeper into the specifics of his budget proposal and working through our Appropriations Committee and with House leadership to make sure we end up with a solid final product both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor can agree upon.”
Representative Jamie Flick
83rd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepFlick.com