Oct. 17, 2017
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today issued the following statement in response to House passage of the Fiscal Year 2017-18 revenue package:
“While I may not agree with every aspect of this revenue plan, we must all give a little to come to a solution. People want us to get this done. After months of hard work, I’m pleased there are no broad-based tax increases, and it is not much different from the House plan we passed last month.
“The governor is the one who put us in this situation with his $1.5 billion in overspending last fiscal year. We could have continued to argue over how to bridge a $100 million divide in the various revenue plans, but I was afraid of what the governor and Senate would propose next on their spinning tax wheel.
“My preference is to cut spending and reform programs to operate more efficiently. However, with a divided government and both a governor and Senate that want additional taxes and more spending, it's nearly impossible to get everything you want in a budget deal. The truth is the House Republicans fought off tax after tax and additional spending demands from the governor and the Senate.
“I’m hopeful we have re-set the budget process and will never again approve a spending plan without a way to pay for it. Just as a family doesn’t create a budget without looking at its income, the General Assembly must stop riding the budget carousel where we chase income to pay for a plan already approved. Spending must be reduced to meet revenues. Now it's time to move on to meaningful policy reforms that help bend the cost curve and get spending under control.”
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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