Jul. 10, 2015
YORK TOWNSHIP – Supported by House members from three neighboring counties, members of the York County House Republican delegation today called out Gov. Tom Wolf during a news conference at the York County School of Technology for his the role in the current budget standoff. The event took place 10 days after the General Assembly sent to Wolf’s desk a fiscally responsible spending plan for 2015-16 that increased school funding without the need to raise taxes, and one day after the governor’s veto of much-needed pension reform legislation (
Senate Bill 1).
“Gov. Wolf could have avoided the government shutdown he is moving us perilously toward after the majority of budget lines in
House Bill 1192 (the budget bill) equaled or exceeded his wishes,” said state Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York Township). “Instead, he has single-handedly chosen to bring about this budget impasse and all that comes with it. He is allowing the needs of his chosen few to outweigh the needs of the many, preferring tax increases over sound fiscal policy.”
“It is time for the governor to start reading bills before vetoing them,” House Education Committee Majority Chairman Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) said. “The General Assembly sent him a budget bill that increases funding for our schools without the need for tax increases and forces state government to live within its means. Gov. Wolf has placed his own interests over the interests of the Pennsylvania taxpayer by vetoing a budget that meets and in some cases exceeds his spending plan. For that reason, this budget impasse sits clearly in his lap.”
The representatives also addressed the liquor privatization and pension reform bills Wolf vetoed.
“When the governor vetoed the pension bill, he continued to show his preference for the status quo,” said state Rep. Seth Grove (R-Dover). “This self-proclaimed ‘new kind of governor’ only prefers a new direction when it lines up with his way of thinking. While Senate Bill 1 is far from perfect, it mirrors what his private sector employees receive and starts us on a path toward addressing the pension problem. The governor’s use of his veto pen shows his desire to leave things as they are.”
“Liquor sales are not a core function of government, which is why we sent Gov. Wolf a bill that gets Pennsylvania out of this antiquated system,” said House Majority Whip Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster). “
House Bill 466 produces $220 million in revenue, which is more than the governor’s modernization plan. It also gets us out of a business that promotes buying alcohol while policing the use of it at the same time.”
State Rep. Kate Klunk (R-Hanover) addressed the programs that are placed on hold because of the veto.
“With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Wolf has put in jeopardy services such as college grants for students, agriculture research programs that address the avian flu epidemic, and rape crisis and domestic violence services to name a few,” she said. “The unanimous House vote against his tax increases shows no one has the appetite for spending that he has. He is clearly the only man on that island and he needs to take into account average Pennsylvanians and what they can and cannot afford.”
Joining the delegation from neighboring counties were state Reps. Mindy Fee (R-Lancaster), Steve Mentzer (R-Lancaster), Brett Miller (R-Lancaster) and Will Tallman
(R-Adams/Cumberland).
York County House Republican Delegation
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Scott Little
717.260.6137
slittle@pahousegop.com