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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Peter J. Daley |
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Daley reacts to governor's budget proposal
HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Rep. Peter J. Daley, D-Washington/Fayette, today released the following statement in response to Gov. Ed Rendell's 2010-11 budget address to the state legislature:
"I was extremely disappointed with the governor’s $29 billion proposed budget. The budget is a flat-line budget with increases in spending. A 4 percent increase in spending is monumental when you take into consideration how our economy is at this time, but I recognize the good intentions the governor has and is trying to balance a budget during the worst economy in decades.
"While I applaud the increase in spending for education, I still believe that we are not spending enough on the higher education programs, such as technical colleges. This is a critical part of continued education and specialization for jobs. These colleges need to be engaged in retraining students for the demands of an ever-changing economy and work force. Investing in higher education would ensure that individuals are ready to step into those jobs.
"I also believe that we are not investing enough in economic development that will help businesses flourish, thus creating more jobs for Pennsylvanians. Businesses cannot run without the money to support them in their most volatile period during the first year of operation. We need increased funding for development programs or some way to incentivize more private spending on venture capital.
"I laud the governor’s proposals to close the 'Delaware loophole' that currently allows businesses based in other states to avoid their tax obligation on their Pennsylvania operations, and lifting the cap on deductions for net operating losses that businesses may carry forward.
"Nearly half-a-million Pennsylvanians are out of work, state revenues are lower than expected and families are struggling. Pennsylvania is in the midst of a slow recovery from the nation’s current recession. We all know we are facing a difficult budget year. Governor Rendell made a lot of proposals which we in the legislature will have to closely examine over the next few months, and I was most pleased to hear him call on us to put partisan politics aside to get the budget done on time."
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