Dec. 29, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) released the following statement after Gov. Tom Wolf used a line-item veto on
House Bill 1460, the bipartisan budget passed by the Legislature last week.
“While I’m disappointed with the governor’s decision to veto parts of the budget we sent him last week, I am pleased by the House’s and Senate’s passage of House Bill 1460 which forced the release of critical funding to schools and human services, something that the Legislature has called for repeatedly over the past several months. I am glad that the governor has finally realized it is unacceptable to hold children hostage while the budget is being negotiated.
“The governor has used the line-item veto to cut education funding, critical agricultural line items and public health services for cancer centers and diabetes, and he has put Pennsylvania citizens in a vulnerable position. This is yet another politically motivated move that prolongs this impasse.
“In his statement this morning, the governor claimed that this budget includes a $95 million cut in funding for education, which is simply untrue. This budget would have increased funding for PreK-12 education by more than $400 million, making it the highest state investment in education ever.
“Gov. Wolf has created an atmosphere of chaos and mistrust within the branches of government that is not conducive to resolving anything.
“For months, I have worked to fight against the massive tax increases that Gov. Wolf wants to force on Pennsylvanians. I cannot support Gov. Wolf’s plan for broad-based tax increases without property tax relief for seniors and working families.
“I feel that with the release of this emergency funding there is a new atmosphere with less tension. It is my hope that we can work to resolve our differences in a manner that is respectful to the taxpayers and the challenges that lie ahead. I am anxious to return to Harrisburg and continue to work to end this budget impasse.”
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Dux
717.260.6695
mdux@pahousegop.com
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