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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Mike Carroll |
  
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Carroll: State budget keeps Pa. moving forward
HARRISBURG, July 4 – State Rep. Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe, released the following statement on the $28.2 billion General Fund budget the General Assembly passed today. The budget would fund essential education, energy and economic development efforts in Pennsylvania without raising taxes.
On education:
"The increase for school districts across the board is great, but we need more support for growing districts. They need more state funding to cope with the rapid increase in the student population.
"We have to reduce our dependence on property taxes for school funding.
"The education funding in the budget will allow schools to continue tutoring programs, full-day kindergarten and other initiatives that have proven to increase learning."
"The additional money for pre-kindergarten will make sure younger children get a good educational foundation to help them achieve academic success in the future.
On energy:
"Increasing the production and use of alternative and renewable fuels will create new jobs and improve economic development opportunities throughout the state.
"The energy policies enacted as part of the budget will help us develop other fuel sources and ultimately lower energy bills for Pennsylvania residents.
On infrastructure:
"The budget money will go a long way toward repairing our roads and bridges and helping to preserve public safety.
"With the funding dedicated to bridge repair, we can take care of the bridges that are considered structurally deficient and improve safety conditions for drivers.
"We need to make sure our roads can support the level of traffic and continue making repairs and upgrades so they are safe to drive on.
"This budget dedicates a substantial amount of money to road and bridge repair and maintenance.
"The budget supports repairs and improvements to water and sewer systems. There are many municipalities that need to replace their systems but can't afford the high cost. This funding will give them the means to upgrade sewer and water to benefit their communities.
"Many systems need a serious overhaul. The budget funding will allow municipalities to make any necessary upgrades.
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On seniors:
"Pennsylvania seniors will still be eligible for their prescription drug benefits through PACE and PACENET even if the Social Security cost-of-living increase causes them to go over the income limit. The 2.3 percent cost-of-living increase won't affect seniors on PACE and PACENET, because of the legislation we enacted."
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