Jun. 25, 2019
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh/Berks) today in Harrisburg voted for a state budget bill approved by the House that would fund the core functions of state government without asking taxpayers to pay more through new or increased taxes.
“This budget is focused on taxpayers,” Day said. “By controlling state spending, we have been able to avoid tax hikes and instead allow taxpayers to keep the money they earn.”
The $34 billion state spending plan includes a $432 million increase in funding for students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
The budget also includes a $10 million increase in funding for career and technical education to help Pennsylvanians learn new skills to acquire high-paying jobs.
The plan calls for stowing away more than $250 million in the state’s savings account, or Rainy Day Fund. The savings account is used by legislators when unforeseen emergencies, such as natural disasters, occur and require state funding. The account was drained during the economic downturn, and Day and his colleagues are fighting to begin recharging the account to protect against future tax increases.
“We want to put money in the state’s savings account so when there is a natural disaster or an economic downturn, the state doesn’t have to raise taxes,” Day said.
The state spending plan calls for a nearly $20 million increase in support for agriculture.
“Farming is our Commonwealth’s top industry and it employs a lot of workers,” Day said. “This budget supports the important work farmers do to keep our Commonwealth running.”
The state budget bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Gary Day
187th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
DMassing@PaHouseGOP.com
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