Sep. 13, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Justin Walsh (R-Westmoreland) today issued the following statement in response to the House passing another Fiscal Year 2017-18 revenue bill for the state budget:
“For the second time this year, the House put the people first and approved a fiscally responsible way to fund the Fiscal Year 2017-18 state budget. The plan we voted on today contains no tax increases. Instead, we painstakingly reviewed items line by line and identified special fund savings accounts which have continued to grow year by year due to lack of disbursements. Some of these accounts were created about a century ago. While at the time they served an important purpose, the money now has been sitting dormant and accumulating interest.
“Funds from these accounts will help fill a $1.5 billion one-time shortfall in the prior year’s budget. Unlike the governors before him, Tom Wolf chose not put money in budgetary reserves when revenues did not meet expectations. As a result of his continued spending, the General Assembly had to fill the hole.
“Taxes should never be raised while the state is sitting on surpluses that can be invested. I’m happy to stand up for the taxpayers and respect their money and fiscal security. I hope the Senate and governor will join us in approving this plan.”
For more information on the 2017-18 budget, visit
www.pahousegop.com.
The 58th Legislative District in Westmoreland County includes Jeannette and Monessen cities, as well as East Huntingdon (part), Hempfield (part), Rostraver, Sewickley and South Huntingdon townships. Also, the district encompasses the boroughs of Adamsburg, Arona, Madison, Mount Pleasant, North Belle Vernon, Penn, Smithton, Sutersville and West Newton.
Representative Justin Walsh
58th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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