|
Op-ed |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State Rep. Mike Sturla Chairman, Majority Policy Committee |
|
State Representative Mike Sturla
8 N. Queen St.
Suite 1100, The Griest Bldg.
Lancaster, PA 17603
Phone: (717) 295-3157
Senate Budget Would Hurt Pennsylvania, Likely to Raise Property Taxes
We are at a critical time in Pennsylvania and the nation.
Much is at stake: our children's future, the health and well-being of our seniors and our most vulnerable citizens, the sustainability of our environment and the strength of our economy.
This is no time for political gamesmanship. This is a time for responsible leadership and a time for action.
To that end, I commend the Lancaster County Commissioners on their stance against Senate Bill 850, a state budget that would lead to tax increases at the local level. It is a slash-and-burn budget proposal that largely ignores the needs of Pennsylvanians.
The proposal dodges the Commonwealth's responsibility to protect and serve the people of Pennsylvania by properly funding basic services, and unfairly shifts the financial burden to local municipalities, counties and school districts.
As noted by the commissioners in Wednesday's unanimously-approved resolution, Senate Bill 850 would have devastating effects on many government programs managed by the county including human services safety nets, public safety and judicial systems, and community and economic development.
Additionally, I agree reducing the state's share of funding is irresponsible especially as demand for services rises during difficult economic times.
Senate Bill 850 will, if enacted, have further negative impacts on our state including:
• Short-changing our children by cutting basic education funding and putting additional federal dollars at risk. In addition, school districts will be forced to raise local property taxes,
• Making higher education harder to attain for many Pennsylvanians, because it slashes PHEAA grants and key PHEAA loan programs to families and students, and
• Abandoning key investments we have made in job creation, workforce training, agriculture, tourism and other vital economic development initiatives.
Admittedly we are grappling with unprecedented economic challenges in this year's budget, but if not dealt with in a responsible manner this year, these challenges will continue to haunt us all for years to come. I and other House Democrats believe it is more important than ever to support the programs that make our state and our residents stronger, and that a responsible budget will include both strategic spending cuts and strategic investments in Pennsylvania's future, instead of simply passing the buck to local governmental entities that can only raise property taxes to make up for the shortfall.
I encourage the residents of Lancaster to join the Lancaster County Commissioners in urging legislators to adopt a responsible budget that meets the needs of Lancaster's most important resource: its people.
|
CONTACT: Jim Dawes
|