Jun. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG – The House today passed the 2018-19 General Fund Budget bill, on time that would not raise taxes while also increasing education spending and adding a surplus to the Rainy Day Fund for the first time since the 2006-07 fiscal year. The spending level in this plan is $32.7 billion.
The vote was 188 to 10.
“I am pleased that there is bipartisan agreement on this budget bill,” said Everett. “It has been thoroughly vetted by the House Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, and received a full and fair debate on the House floor. We worked hard to reach a fair and reasonable agreement to fund our necessary state services. The spending reflects a 1.7 percent increase which is under the rate of inflation. I believe it is a good accomplishment.”
House bill 2121 would increase basic education funding by $100 million, early childhood education funding by $25 million, special education by $12.3 million and adds more funding for higher education and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit.
Everett said a financial commitment to school safety was added.
“This budget creates a new $60 million initiative to ensure a safe learning environment for students,” said Everett. “The funding will create a block grant program that school districts can tap into and foster equal access to safe school funding.”
Additional funds will help protect communities by training more state police troopers, caring for those with intellectual disabilities, rural critical access hospitals, supplying home visiting services for families affected by the opioid crisis and supporting emergency medical services.
This budget is the result of prudent spending, an improved economy and responsible policies that prevented the need for the governor’s repeated calls for increased taxes over the last four years.
The bill advances to the Senate for consideration.
Representative Garth D. Everett
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Raymond Smith
717.705.1834
rsmith@pahousegop.com
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