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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Rick Mirabito
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Mirabito brings constituent concerns to House Appropriations Committee
HARRISBURG, Feb. 22 – State Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Lycoming, told the House Appropriations Committee today that jobs, holding the line on state spending and protecting the programs our most vulnerable citizens depend on are top priorities for the residents of the 83rd Legislative District.
"People from all walks of life are worried about how much they'll have to pay for ever-increasing property taxes. I hear from parents and property owners who are worried they'll have to pick up a larger share of funding for public education through higher property taxes or cuts in higher education funding. And I hear from local agencies who say cuts in human service programs would mean cuts to programs our most vulnerable citizens depend upon," Mirabito told the committee.
Mirabito said another big concern for his district is jobs.
"We need to get people off of unemployment rolls and on to payrolls. We can do that by investing in economic development," Mirabito said. "Investments in economic development are especially important in rural Pennsylvania because we experience higher levels of unemployment and under employment."
Mirabito said economic development programs such as the Main Street and Elm Street programs and the Keystone Opportunity Zone are helping Williamsport and surrounding communities turn blighted areas into hubs of business activity, housing and retail space.
"We need the support of state government to finish these projects, such as the Williamsport Regional Medical Center expansion. I ask that you not abandon us in midstream by cutting funding to economic development programs that are giving taxpayers a good return for their dollars," Mirabito said.
He discussed his H.B. 1880 that would create the Pennsylvania Accountability Portal, or PennGAP, a public Web site posting state spending. He said by allowing citizens to review state spending, they may find ways where state government could cut costs. The bill passed unanimously in the House and awaits action in the state Senate. Mirabito asked the committee to ensure funding is in place so the Web site could be up and running once the Senate passes the bill.