Sep. 29, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) expressed dismay upon Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of the emergency state funding bill, which would have released state appropriations to social service providers and school districts amounting to $11 billion, retroactively to July 1 and carrying through to Oct. 31.
“There are school districts across the state that are already experiencing financial hardships. They have borrowed money to make payroll with interest at the expense of taxpayers,” Quigley said. “Many other schools will soon be facing the same crisis. I am disappointed that the governor does not support funding our schools rather than treating them as a pawn in budget negotiations.”
In addition to four months (or 33.3 percent) of state aid based on House Bill 1192’s levels (which are higher than the 2014-15 state budget), the emergency funding bill would have allowed $24.3 billion in federal dollars to reach their intended recipients. PHEAA grants and county child welfare funding would have been disbursed at 50 percent.
“In the letter Wolf sent to announce his veto, he noted that the people of Pennsylvania sent us to Harrisburg to address the problems facing the Commonwealth. With that on his mind, I am confused why he did not support the emergency state funding,” Quigley added. “Everyone deserves immediate relief from the trouble caused by the vetoed budget.”
The emergency state funding package was based on recommended line items included in the original budget the General Assembly presented to the governor on June 30, with no new or increased taxes and appropriations higher than last fiscal year in many cases.
Representative Tom Quigley
146th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Alison Evans
717.260.6206
aevans@pahousegop.com
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