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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Chelsa Wagner |
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Wagner reacts to governor's budget proposal
She's encouraged it includes investments for infrastructure, education
and calls for more efficient spending
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Allegheny, released the following statement on Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed 2009-10 state budget:
"I am encouraged the governor's proposed budget does not call for broad-based tax increases on our families and our businesses, and does call for a more efficient use of tax dollars. Streamlining government is key to keeping budget cuts and revenue hikes to a minimum.
"We must invest our tax dollars to get Pennsylvanians working again. Repairing our infrastructure and improving our mass transit systems and rail lines would not only create jobs, but would also help to bring new companies, and more jobs, to Pennsylvania.
"To help our working families who are struggling in this recession, we need to invest in education. When the state pays its fair share for public education, there is less of a burden on local school boards to raise property taxes. We need to help families afford college costs so their children can realize their dreams of a college degree.
"Southwestern Pennsylvania has been hit hard by this recession. As secretary of the Allegheny County Delegation, I will work to ensure our region is receiving parity in state funding and investments. It will be a difficult budget process, to be sure, but with bipartisan cooperation I believe we can craft a spending plan that reduces government waste, keeps important programs alive and helps businesses grow."
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