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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Deberah Kula |
  
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Kula comments on approval of 2008-09 state budget package
HARRISBURG, July 4 – State Rep. Deberah Kula, D-Fayette/Westmoreland, made the following comments regarding the Pennsylvania legislature’s adoption of a no-tax-increase, $28.2 billion 2008-09 state budget package:
"This budget package incorporates many of the initiatives I have supported since taking my oath of office – all without raising any state taxes. They mirror the needs and concerns of working Pennsylvania families all while practicing responsible spending. We have focused on education, alternative energy production, and economic and infrastructure development, all of which equate to improving our economy, investing in our future and creating jobs across the state. And I fought to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens, seniors and children, are able to receive the care they need. This budget accomplishes our goals while holding the line on taxes."
On education:
"Adequately funding education is one of the most valuable investments we can make, and state funding is crucial to holding down local property taxes. All schools in our district will receive funding increases this year for basic education. And we are continuing our investments in early education programs that are critical in helping children get off to a good educational start. Also, we have allocated money to continue the Classrooms of the Future program, which will put laptop computers on more students’ desks to bring their learning into the 21st century."
On energy independence:
"Pennsylvania will have more reason to celebrate the Fourth of July for years to come thanks to the commitment made on this day, in this budget, to invest in alternative energy production, which will allow Pennsylvania to declare independence from its reliance on foreign oil and high energy prices. Currently, we spend $30 billion a year on buying energy from out-of-state sources. This budget will allow us to develop alternative energy products right here in the Keystone State, creating thousands of jobs and investing millions in economic development."
On economic development and infrastructure improvements:
"This year’s budget includes a comprehensive effort to ensure that our economy remains stable, even if the national economy continues to worsen. The economic future of millions of residents demands that we act now if we are to protect the gains we’ve made over the past several years. This includes rebuilding and repairing our aging infrastructure – our roads, dams and water systems, and especially our bridges. We now lead the nation in our structurally deficient bridges, and we must act to fix them. This budget assures that we will. An injection of funds into infrastructure development programs will leverage millions more in private capital and encourage businesses to use existing land and facilities."
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