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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Paul Costa |
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Costa comments on Gov. Rendell's budget proposal
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 -- State Rep. Paul Costa, D-Allegheny, released the following statement in response to the budget proposal Gov. Ed Rendell presented to the General Assembly today:
"I think the governor proposes a fair and decent budget that would use our tax dollars efficiently and effectively and protect our most vulnerable citizens, all without broad-based personal income or sales tax increases."
"I am also pleased with the governor's plan to legalize and collect revenue from video poker. The funds would be slated for higher education tuition relief. I had proposed a similar plan years ago while Pennsylvania was considering creating a slot machine gaming industry.
"When I presented my idea to Governor Rendell years ago, he informed me that he thought it was a good plan, but it needed to wait until the slots industry was implemented. I'm pleased and grateful that the governor followed through on his word, keeping his promise on something that has great potential for Pennsylvania."
Costa said the governor's budget proposal also includes nearly $1 billion in spending cuts, $400 million in business tax cuts to help restore the state's economy, and numerous government efficiency and cost-containment measures to cope with a multibillion dollar projected deficit.
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