Sep. 14, 2017
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today issued the following statement in response to the House passing another revenue package for the Fiscal Year 2017-18 state budget:
“On Wednesday, the House approved another funding proposal. This one puts the people first by not increasing taxes or borrowing money. It fixes the one-time $1.5 billion deficit caused by Governor Wolf's reckless overspending last year and funds this year’s budget, which was passed in June.”
“It makes no sense to increase taxes when the state is sitting on money. The state has been using special fund surpluses as lines of credit. As a matter of fact, Governor Wolf tapped a $700 million line of credit from these funds two weeks ago and now he’s saying the funds don’t exist and we should raise taxes. We should be using the money to balance the budget before asking more of the taxpayers.
“It’s time for the governor to stop crying wolf about this plan and stop spreading propaganda. His lies need to stop. While the governor is focused on the operations/checking accounts of the special funds to spread his campaign of misinformation to the public, we are focused on the savings accounts that continue to grow unnecessarily and have grown over the last three years. No one is going to lose a job or access to a program or service if the savings accounts of these special funds are reduced. Every year they are replenished with dedicated revenue streams that remain untouched under this plan.
While I don’t expect the Senate to rubber stamp this proposal, I am hopeful all parties can come together and finish this soon.”
For more information on the 2017-18 budget, visit
pahousegop.com.
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
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
RepOrtitay.com /
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