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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Yudichak |
  
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Yudichak: state budget keeps Pa. moving forward
HARRISBURG, July 4 – A $28.2 billion budget the General Assembly is expected to pass today would fund essential education, energy and economic development efforts in Pennsylvania without raising taxes, said state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne. He released the following statement on various items contained in the budget package:
On education:
"The budget takes the information gained from the costing-out study and turns it into a practical plan that will provide funding to the school districts that are most in need.
"The 3 percent increase for community colleges will help keep college affordable for students.
"The increases for local school districts will provide students with the resources they need to learn and help rein in operating costs."
On economic development:
"The expansion of the Keystone Opportunity Zone program will spur more development and help revitalize local economies that need new business to survive.
"Many of the state's water and sewer systems are dangerously outdated. The budget funding will help municipalities upgrade their systems and safeguard the public from health hazards."
On energy:
"The energy funding will allow Pennsylvania to become a national leader in alternative fuel production.
"An investment in our energy policy is not only an investment in our environment, it’s also a smart investment for our economy. We have to decrease our reliance on foreign oil or continue facing fuel shortages and higher gas prices.
"Loan and grant funding that will be offered to industries like solar manufacturing and coal technologies will stimulate the economy and help preserve the environment."
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