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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike Sturla
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Sturla votes to oppose Senate-amended budget plan
Senate plan would be bad for Lancaster families, businesses
HARRISBURG, July 21 – State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, expressed his frustration with a budget plan Tuesday and voted to non-concur with the Senate-amended plan, but said he was optimistic to see the House acted in a bipartisan manner to reject the Senate cuts and that serious negotiations can move forward.
Sturla said the Senate Republican-backed plan made broad and severe cuts to a number of programs that Pennsylvanians depend on especially in times of economic instability.
"Like Senate Bill 850, the amendment added to House Bill 1416 by Senate Republicans would have failed to meet the fundamental needs of residents across the state," Sturla said. "I couldn't support a budget that turns its back on people in times of dire need.
"These are challenging economic times for everyone: families, communities and small businesses. House Democrats have always understood that, and we know cuts need to be made, but not using the across-the-board approach Senate leadership chose to endorse.
"We heard the outcry from local leaders regarding Senate Bill 850, and we know we can't pass the buck to counties and municipalities to make up for the lost revenue, especially for education funds. We know that would translate into higher property taxes."
The lawmaker said many items were not merely reduced but cut entirely from the Senate spending plan. Programs that are the bedrock of the Lancaster community or serve many residents of the city including several arts programs, minority outreach, environmental and job training programs and library access funds were all eliminated.
Among line items reduced to earlier funding levels were education programs.
"It is simply irresponsible to make drastic cuts to fundamental and proven programming like innovative basic education curriculum and Pre-K Counts, Dual Enrollment and the Children's Health Insurance Program. Why would we reverse the positive steps we've taken in the past six years to better educate our children and keep them healthy," Sturla added.
After Tuesday's concurrence vote in the House failed by a margin of 150-49 Sturla noted the weakening support for budget plans coming from the Senate.
"The most recent spending plan failed because it lacked support from both parties. A majority of House Democrats and Republicans, as well as Senate Democrats and the governor are ready to break the budget deadlock, and get the budget passed," Sturla said. "It is time for Senate Republican leadership to come to the table in good faith and move this process along."
Sturla said Democratic and Republican leadership in both chambers will now appoint representatives to a conference committee to work out the final 2009-10 spending plan.
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