Sep. 06, 2017
HARRISBURG – Following a press conference this week unveiling a plan by Republicans lawmakers to cover the approximately $2.2 billion funding gap in this year’s budget without the need to borrow money or raise taxes, Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) issued the following statement:
“This week, members of the House presented a plan that aims to raise the revenue needed to balance the state budget without the need to increase taxes on hard-working families or push the Commonwealth into further debt through excessive borrowing.
“I have been encouraging my colleagues to support this plan, which looks to tap into state government accounts that have lapsed or gone dormant with large sums of money sitting idle. If the funding is just sitting there, then I see no issue with using it to ensure Pennsylvania families are not burdened by higher tax bills. This is the type of out-of-the-box solutions we need.
“No organizations or agencies would be adversely impacted, or jobs lost, due to the use of this money, since it is money sitting unused. Bringing these accounts back under legislative oversight would also serve to shed greater transparency on the use – or lack of use – of taxpayer dollars.
“The House is expected to vote on the plan next week when we return to session, and I plan to vote in the affirmative on the bill. I look forward to bringing the 2017-18 state budget to a close.”
For more information on the plan, go to
pahousegop.com/statebudget1718.aspx.
Representative Rich Irvin
81st Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tricia Lehman
717.772.9840
tlehman@pahousegop.com
RepIrvin.com /
Facebook.com/RepIrvin