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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Neal P. Goodman State
Rep. Tim Seip
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Goodman, Seip react to governor's budget proposal
HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Reps. Neal P. Goodman, D-Schuylkill, and Tim Seip, D-Schuylkill/Berks, today released the following comments on the governor's 2010-11 budget proposal:
Goodman said, "The governor’s budget address contains no surprises. We all know we are facing a difficult budget year. He made a lot of proposals which we in the legislature will have to closely examine over the next few months.
"It is time to roll up our sleeves – starting today -- and work to get a responsible budget passed on time. I hope we can put our differences aside and get this accomplished in a bipartisan manner."
Seip said, "We have incredibly large challenges ahead of us as the 2010-11 budget process formally starts today. I am very encouraged that the governor has reaffirmed his commitment to education. Without the state investment in education in last year’s budget, we would not be in a position to capture federal dollars, in the form of Race to the Top grant awards. This investment will continue to assist local school districts with their budgets to avoid school property tax increases.
"Also, the governor verbalized a desire to examine the sales tax structure in Pennsylvania. Like the property tax structure, I believe it is long overdue for an overhaul. Because the sales tax structure has not been updated, I believe that we are in a more difficult budget position and not in a position to tackle the property tax crunch in Pennsylvania at this time. I will continue to advocate for changes in the sales tax structure to be dedicated to property tax reform, as I have been doing with the introduction of the SMART plan."