Jun. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG – State Rep. Barry Jozwiak (R-Berks) today in Harrisburg voted for the balanced, timely state budget approved by the state House that would increase funding for the core functions of government without raising taxes.
“We have experienced some economic growth in Pennsylvania, which resulted in increased revenues and enabled us to balance the budget without further burdening taxpayers,” Jozwiak said.
The $32.7 billion spending plan represents an increase of a little more than $500 million compared to the current state budget.
The budget would provide an additional $100 million for schools across the Commonwealth to share. It also calls for a new, $60 million school safety block grant program that would enable schools to purchase metal detectors, hire resource officers or implement other safety initatives.
“School safety is a very important priority in this budget,” Jozwiak said. “We want to make sure our students feel safe and are able to learn. They should be able to focus on learning rather than fearing for their safety.”
The budget also includes funding to support three new Pennsylvania State Police cadet classes, which will add nearly 300 new troopers to protect Commonwealth communities.
“It’s important for the state to provide the funding necessary to train, prepare and equip our law enforcement personnel,” Jozwiak said. “This budget would make a significant investment in the safety of our communities.”
The budget also for the first time since the Great Recession in 2008 would put money into the state’s equivalent of an emergency savings account.
“We want to begin saving money again so that we can prepare for the next eventual financial emergency,” Jozwiak said. “Saving for the future represents good, old-fashioned, commonsense budgeting.”
The budget legislation –
House Bill 2121 – now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Barry Jozwiak
5th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
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