Dec. 08, 2015
HARRISBURG – Answering the overwhelming number of requests to hold the line on tax increases, state House members from Adams and York counties today voted to endorse a $30.26 billion spending plan for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
House Bill 1460 funds state government’s core functions and supports Pennsylvania students by increasing education funding to another record level – all without the need for new tax increases.
The delegation’s members, state Reps. Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam), Seth Grove (R-Dover), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Dan Moul (R-Gettysburg), Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-Jacobus), Mike Regan (R-Dillsburg), Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) and Will Tallman (R-Abbottstown), issued the following statement upon passage of the bill:
“What we chose to support today is a direct response to our constituents who have consistently asked us to push back against the threat of major tax increases. House Bill 1460 spends their hard-earned dollars in a responsible manner, supports essential service providers and invests in Pennsylvania’s future through $10.7 billion in preK-12 education funding - the most in state history. That figure includes significant increases in special education, Pre-K Counts and Head Start programs.
“The budget bill we are backing does not mortgage the future by taking on additional debt. In fact, it addresses outstanding obligations held by our public schools through creation of a program that will allow them to clear overdue construction debt from their balance sheets and allow even more money to flow into the classroom.
“House Bill 1460 also shows the agriculture industry the respect it deserves by restoring funding eliminated by other proposals. These cuts would have affected areas such as research that are critical in light of the avian flu epidemic that continues to impact the farming community and Pennsylvania’s economy.
“Our vote today is a response to requests to hold the line on increased spending. House Bill 1460 stands apart from other proposals in its lack of added reliance on the Pennsylvania taxpayer, who has spoken loud and clear. We hope our Senate colleagues will see it their way.”
Adams-York County House Republican Delegation
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com