Helm Says Yes to Prudent, Responsible Budget Plan
HARRISBURG – Rep. Sue Helm (R-Dauphin/Lebanon) today joined a majority of her colleagues in supporting a responsible spending plan that would end the five-month-old state budget impasse.
House Bill 1460 spends $30.26 billion, which is $1 billion more than the last fiscal year, and does not include a broad-based tax increase. Most notably, the plan calls for an historic level of spending on education in the amount of $10.7 billion, including a $100 million increase for K-12 education.
Helm issued the following statement regarding the proposal:
“We voted on a balanced, responsible budget. It is the second week in December. We need to get the budget done so agencies can be funded. Most importantly, we do have the revenue to support this spending plan.
“This is a compromise budget. We have given the governor additional money for education, and at the same time we have said no to his proposed 7.25 percent state sales tax. I have not had one constituent ask to have their taxes raised unless it resulted in the elimination of their property taxes.
“The budget includes an additional $10 million for the Education Improvement Tax Credit program, and a total increase of $405 million for PreK-12 education.
“Our goal has always been to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and I believe this prudent spending plan meets that standard. This is a budget that lives within our means, while still providing adequate funding for the core functions of state government.”
House Bill 1460 will next be considered by the Senate.
Representative Sue Helm
104th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
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