Local lawmakers are reacting to the new budget plan unveiled by Governor Tom Wolf for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Republican State Senator Scott Hutchinson stated that Wolf’s proposal “abandons any notion of smart fiscal stewardship”, in particular “it spends one-time Federal funds to pay for ongoing programs”.
Republican State Senator Joe Pittman points out that the governor’s plan would create a large deficit for years beyond the upcoming one but he does like a proposal to free up more funds for infrastructure.
“I was encouraged by the Governor’s proposal to shift state police funding out of what is known as the motor license fund and putting it into the general budget,” Pittman said. “Essentially what that’ll do is free up hundreds of millions of dollars for highways and bridge repairs. And I think that’s very important. It’s very necessary and it’s one of the most thoughtful uses of surplus revenue during this budget cycle.”
According to Republican State Representative Aaron Bernstine, Wolf’s nearly 17% increase in spending is a “slap in the face to taxpayers who are already being asked to pay more for everything”.
Republican State Representative Marci Mustello points to the governor’s consistent spending as squandering money that “could be better spent over the next several years to prevent massive tax increases”.
The House Appropriations Committee will begin a series of hearings about the budget on Tuesday.
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