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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike Carroll |
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Carroll comments on governor’s 2008-09 state budget proposal
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe, issued the following comments on the governor’s $28.3 billion general fund budget proposal for 2008-09:
On education:
“The budget takes the results of the recent costing-out study and turns it into a plan to provide equitable funding for school districts.
“School districts in the Poconos and other areas of the state where we’re actually experiencing a population growth are already levying high taxes to support education funding.
“Comparing what is actually spent with the study’s recommendation for per-pupil spending and making up the difference would give districts like Pittston Area the funding they need to provide students with a decent education while relieving taxpayers and local governments from some of this burden.
“Districts with the
highest taxes and the inability to support the rapid increase in students need
more state support.”
On transportation:
“Immediate funding for the most pressing
transportation projects would get 1,000 of our most dangerous bridges, including
some in this area, off the structurally deficient list.
“We can’t afford to compromise the safety of the state’s residents.”
On health care:
“Workers keep losing employer-sponsored health care or are forced to pay in more because small businesses can’t afford to provide coverage.
“Uncompensated care costs everybody, whether it’s the uninsured or others who end up paying higher premiums. Providing every Pennsylvania resident with basic health-care coverage would reduce the overall cost of health care in the state.”
On taxes:
“Increasing the job-creation tax credit from $1,000 to $3,000 per employee would help local businesses continue to expand and give them an incentive to provide solid job opportunities for area residents.
“The tax rebate for working families would build on the rebates every homeowner in the state will receive from the slots gaming revenue this summer.”
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