Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have voted overwhelmingly to pass a $32 billion state budget for the next fiscal year.
The budget’s key elements are no new taxes or fee increases, and new spending of $560 million, which will provide for a $100 million in crease in basic education; a $25 million increase to the state’s Educational Improvement and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit programs; and $70 million for school safety initiatives.
According to the Associated Press, the bill was negotiated behind closed doors, between Republican majority leaders and Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat.
State legislators representing Butler County residents celebrated the bill’s passage on Wednesday.
“This bipartisan budget doesn’t ask taxpayers to send Harrisburg more of their hard-earned money and keeps spending below the rate of inflation,” State Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) said. “I am committed to not reaching any deeper into the pockets of the hard-working taxpayers, so I am pleased the plan we passed honors that commitment.”
State Rep. R. Lee James (R-Venango/Butler) commented on how this budget process was different than in recent years.
“In the six years I’ve been here, this has been the most pleasant experience in budget-passing that I’ve had,” James said.
State Representative Tedd Nesbit said the budget isn’t perfect but it gets the job done without raising taxes.
“I would like to see us go a little bit further with some reduction in spending but overall, I’m pleased that we got it done in time and it’s a responsible budget,” Nesbit. “This is the first time, in at least three years, that we’ve put money in the ‘rainy day fund,’ and I’m pleased with that.”
The House’s spending plan now moves to the state Senate for consideration. Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year begins July 1.
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