Gillen Vows Careful Consideration of Budget Proposal
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks/Lancaster) today in Harrisburg vowed to carefully review and consider the budget proposal outlined by Gov. Tom Wolf, who delivered his annual budget address before a joint session of the state House and Senate. Following Wolf’s address, Gillen issued the following statement:
“The governor’s budget proposal is unique because it includes a financial plan for the upcoming budget year, as well as supplemental funding initiatives for the budget he signed into law in December.
“The proposal is a multi-year initiative, which makes it more complicated and exhaustive than a normal budget document. Given the complexity of the situation, I plan to dedicate additional time and energy to evaluate all of the interweaving components.
“The governor’s proposal calls for tax increases at a time when Social Security recipients did not receive a cost-of-living adjustment in their benefits. If government is asking senior citizens and people with disabilities to make due with existing benefit rates, it makes sense for Pennsylvanians to expect their state government to make due with existing revenue sources.”
“While the governor and I have different governing philosophies, I am committed to working with him and my colleagues in the Legislature to adopt a state budget that responsibly meets the needs of Pennsylvania residents and taxpayers.
“The governor proposed many new and increased taxes in his comprehensive proposal. My preference would be for any new revenues to be used first and foremost to replace the oppressive school district property tax. That is an issue I hope the governor will be open to negotiate as we move forward.”
Representative Mark Gillen
128th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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