Lancaster GOP Delegation Encourages the Governor to Pursue Realistic Education Budget Priorities

7/9/2015

HARRISBURG – Continuing his campaign-style tactics to leverage public support for his $12.7 billion in new taxes—which didn’t gain a single vote on the House floor, today Gov. Tom Wolf visited Hambright Elementary School in Lancaster. The Lancaster County House Republican delegation implores the governor to stop wasting time discussing a plan that has no support and instead focus on coming to an agreement that represents the needs of the Commonwealth’s taxpayers and students.
 
State Reps. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom), Mindy Fee (R-Manheim), Keith J. Greiner (R-Upper Leacock), Dave Hickernell (R-West Donegal), Steve Mentzer (R-Lititz), Brett Miller (R-East Hempfield) and Dave Zimmerman (R-East Earl) issued the following statement following the governor’s visit:
 
“While the governor is touting his unanimously rejected plan throughout the state, we are in our districts and in our offices getting things done and helping our constituents. It’s time for him to get off the campaign trail and head to Harrisburg.”
 
“The conversation always centers on increasing education funding, but we never hear about how that money will be generated or where it will go. It’s really no surprise, because these are the questions with answers no one will like.”
 
The education funding plan is part of the governor’s budget proposal, which would require Pennsylvanians to pay $12.7 billion in new taxes in the next two years. Of the $500 million in new funding for the state’s school districts generated by the new taxes, 32 percent would be sent straight to Philadelphia.
 
Locally, school districts in Lancaster County only receive funding ranging from 0.04 percent to 0.72 percent. They have been virtually ignored in the governor’s proposal. The education funding formula that is part of the Republican budget proposal would ensure that every student in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to succeed by distributing funding fairly.
 
Before spreading his education plan to raise taxes for Philadelphia, today the governor confirmed his intention to veto the historic pension bill that would have enrolled all new employees who enter either the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) or Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) in a combination of 401(K)-type and cash balance pension plan. Signing the bill would have saved the state an estimated $11 billion during the course of the next 30 years, which could have been used to better educate our children.
 
“The governor’s refusal to consider options that will not only preserve the health of the Commonwealth but also provide more money for learning opportunities for our children is indicative of his priorities.”

Lancaster County Republican Delegation
PA House of Representatives