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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Dante Santoni |
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Santoni: State budget strengthens commitment to Berks County
HARRISBURG, Feb. 5 – State Rep. Dante Santoni, D-Berks, said he is pleased to see a stronger commitment to Berks County schools and businesses as outlined today in Governor Ed Rendell's 2008-09 state budget address.
Rendell proposed a $28.3 billion budget, an increase of about 4.2 percent over 2007-08, close to the national rate of inflation.
Santoni said Berks County schools would benefit from the 6 percent increase in basic education funding. The popular pre-school program, Pre-K Counts, also would see an additional $12 million, or 16 percent increase, in the new budget.
"A sound education is the catalyst to a strong economy," Santoni said. "Pre-school is the first and most important step of a student's journey to working adulthood. I am glad the governor is maintaining a strong commitment to making sure Pennsylvania students perform at grade level from pre-school through graduation."
To stimulate the economy, Rendell asked the legislature for quick passage of measures that would infuse money into new technologies like energy and medical research, and fund economic development projects that are "shovel ready" but are still in need of funding.
"The federal government is working on an economic stimulus plan for the nation," Santoni said. "But that does not mean we can assume federal officials will see to Pennsylvania's needs. The proposed budget strikes the right balance between the needs of residents and businesses."
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CONTACT: Barbara Grill House Democratic Communications Office |