July 1, 2011
2011-12 state budget bad for Erie, Pennsylvania
by state Rep. John Hornaman
This summer, House Democrats took a united stand against a state budget that needlessly decimates public schools, sharply cuts funding to public universities, slashes Medicaid programs for seniors and the disabled, and will result in more than 11,000 job cuts for Pennsylvania workers.
Governor Tom Corbett and Republican leaders in the House and Senate negotiated what they claim is a $27.15 billion budget – but is actually $27.7 billion – in secret and without the input of Democratic lawmakers in the House or Senate. Although Corbett and his fellow Republicans claimed it to be a "no-tax-increase" budget, Democrats noted that it is actually a "tax shift," because it will force – and in many cases already has forced – school districts and counties to raise local property taxes to meet their basic needs.
The House passed the budget bill by a vote of 109-92, largely along party lines, and was signed into law by Gov. Corbett by the June 30 deadline.
The cuts made in this budget are unnecessarily harsh. The Commonwealth currently has $752 million in surpluses, some of which could have been used to restore the painful cuts to basic and higher education, social services, veterans programs and other programs that aid our most vulnerable citizens. There is no rational reason for choosing to make Pennsylvania's seniors and working, middle-class families suffer when we can avoid much of the pain in this budget.
This Corbett-Republican budget slashes funding to our public schools by more than $1 billion -- an unprecedented attack on public education that will hurt children, cause thousands of job losses, and harm Pennsylvania’s economic competitiveness. These drastic funding cuts will cause schools to eliminate programs, classes and staff, and our local municipalities will be forced to raise local school property taxes to attempt to make up the difference.
About three-quarters of Pennsylvania school districts have already announced that they'll be forced to raise taxes next year, thanks to failure of the state government to properly fund public education.
Furthermore, the harm done to people with disabilities is unconscionable. This budget calls for massive cuts to Medicaid and health care program that help seniors in nursing homes, children and adults with disabilities, veterans, the chronically ill and our most vulnerable citizens. These individuals will be robbed of the ability to hold a job and be productive tax-paying citizens because their safety net will likely be removed. From both an economic as well as a social responsibility point of view, it doesn’t make sense. Instead, this ignores the real faces of Pennsylvania and turns a cold shoulder to those in our society who need help the most.
Incredulously, Republicans are calling this a "no-tax" increase budget; however, it is simply not true. It is a tax-shift budget, with middle-class homeowners and seniors being forced to pick up the tab through higher local property tax hikes.
How to contact me
My legislative district includes McKean and Waterford boroughs and townships, all of Franklin Township, most of Millcreek Township except Belle Valley, and the 4th Voting District of Fairview Township. Please call or stop by my office for help with any state-related problem. The address is 2335 W. 38th St. and the phone number is (814) 835-2880. If you live in other areas of Erie County, your state representative can provide similar services.
John Hornaman
House of Representatives
3rd Legislative District