Brown Supports Bipartisan, Fiscally Conservative for Fiscal Year 2018-19 State Budget
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) voted in favor of the no-tax-increase budget plan for fiscal year 2018-19 that was approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of the state House on Wednesday. The budget Brown supported invests more funding for all levels of education while protecting communities and families across Pennsylvania.
“It is important for people to know that over the last few years, we have erased the state’s budget deficit without raising broad-based taxes on working families and seniors, and while continuing to focus on priorities like education, job creation and school safety,” said Brown. “This year’s budget also holds spending below the rate of inflation, we are paying our pension obligations, and we are beginning to deposit funds into a Rainy Day Fund from our surplus.”
The proposed budget supported by Brown invests more for all levels of education, including $100 million for basic education, $20 million for Pre-K Counts, $5 million for Head Start, and $30 million for career and technical education.
“Our commitment to meeting pension obligations, investing more in education, and following the new education funding formula will mean more money for local school districts and less of a burden on local homeowners,” Brown said. “While property tax relief advocates like me continue to move the state in the right direction for property taxpayers, we know there is still more to be done to convince other legislators to take strong action.”
The budget also invests in helping school districts across the state develop plans to improve their school safety planning efforts.
“As a mom who is concerned about safety in our schools, I introduced House Bill 2163 to mandate metal detectors in schools. Although this budget does not include this specific proposal, it does include $60 million to bedirected at keeping our schools safe. The funding can be used by our districts to enhance their security, which I believe is extremely important to the families and the children whom I represent,” Brown stated.
The budget proposal represents a 1.7 percent increase over the current fiscal year budget, which is below the rate of inflation. This budget is the result of prudent spending, an improved economy and responsible policies.
More information on the state budget is available here.
Representative Rosemary M. Brown
189th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Krisinda Corbin
717.705.2032
KCorbin@pahousegop.com
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