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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus |
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Shimkus: Gov.'s budget would help those most in need
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus, D-Lackawanna, released the following statement on the $28.3 billion 2008-09 state budget proposal unveiled by Gov. Ed Rendell today:
"There are many things in this budget proposal that will help the people of Scranton and Lackawanna County. The governor is talking about increasing money for education. Abington Heights, Riverside, the Scranton and the Mid-Valley school districts, all of their education programs are going to benefit from that."
"While states around us are facing budget deficits and wondering where to cut costs, we have a surplus and our governor is suggesting we use that surplus to help people hit hard by these tough economic times pay their bills. What a great use of tax dollars."
"The only tax increase the governor mentioned was on a pack of cigarettes to help provide health insurance to the hundreds of thousands of adults who right now don't have any."
"All-in-all, this is a sensible spending plan the governor put forth."
Attention Radio News Directors: two actualities from Rep. Shimkus are available by calling 1-800-452-3001. Enter PA113 (7-2-1-1-3) and the pound sign (#) at the menu prompt to get today’s sound. You can also download the sound in .mp3 format by visiting www.pahouse.com/mediacenter.
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