Jun. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG – Today, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the General Fund Appropriation for the upcoming 2018-19 fiscal year. This budget spends $32.7 billion, which represents an increase of 1.7 percent, which is below the rate of inflation (2.13 percent). Most importantly this budget requires no new taxes or fees. The budget also will put money into the state’s reserve fund, known as the Rainy Day Fund, which is the first time this has happened since 2006.
The budget will increase state spending on public education to record levels. There is $100 million more for Basic Education Funding, $20 million more for PreK, $5 million more for Head Start, $15 million more for special education, and $30 million for career and technical education. There is also an additional $25 million for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which is used by parents throughout Pennsylvania to choose where they want to send their children to school.
The budget has money to provide services to an additional 965 individuals with intellectual disabilities currently on the waiting list. There is money in this budget to provide home- and community-based services to an additional 5,230 seniors and those with physical disabilities. There is funding in this budget to provide child care services to an additional 1,600 children, further reducing the waiting list. This budget includes funds to provide evidence-based home visiting services to 800 families affected by the opioid epidemic. There are also funds in this budget for a reimbursement rate increase for our EMS agencies.
“This is a fiscally responsible budget that keeps spending increases low, and most importantly it does not require any new taxes or fees to balance,” said Saylor. “We in the House Republican Caucus have continually invested more money for public education. We also recognize the importance of school choice, and that is why we are adding an additional $25 million for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit.
“School safety has also been a major priority for our caucus. In this budget we have a $10 million investment in a Safe Schools Initiative. We are also investing $60 million in school safety grants that can be used by any school district for safety measures such as metal detectors, safety assessments, cameras, school resource officers, etc.
“I am proud to support a budget that has no tax increases, keeps spending growth low, sets money into the Rainy Day Fund, invests more in school safety and promotes school choice. This is a good budget, and I expect the Senate to pass it and the governor to sign it into law.”
Representative Stan Saylor
94th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: John O’Brien
717.787.1711
jobrien@pahousegop.com
RepSaylor.com /
Facebook.com/RepSaylor