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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Ronald Waters |
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Waters: Governor’s proposed budget leaves many behind
HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – State Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., expressed his dismay at the governor’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.
“Once again, our governor has turned his back on those who need state support the most,” Waters said. “We will be facing shortfalls in most school districts, soaring college tuition bills, and more people losing health care coverage.
“Public schools suffered a billion dollar cut last year. Those cuts, which devastated district budgets have not been restored. School districts survived by draining their surplus and rainy day funds. This budget proposal will just increase the pressure on their budgets. I can guarantee the majority of our school districts will be facing cuts in programs, teacher layoffs or tax increases, and every family with a student in public schools will be affected. We will see more school districts, like Chester Upland, facing closure.
“Higher education has once again been thrown under the bus. The State System of Higher Education, which runs the 14 state universities, is facing a 20 percent cut. The State System universities have worked to hold the line on tuition increases over the past five years, but this cut will force much higher tuition, or reduced teaching staff. Neither choice is in the best interests of higher education. Temple, Penn State and Pitt are slated for a 30 percent cut. Add in five percent cuts to community colleges and higher education grants, and you see that education is not a priority for this administration.
“The budget plan also calls for a cut of $700 million to health and safety programs in the Department of Public Welfare. The cuts hit hardest for those who will suffer the most, women, children, seniors, veterans, and the disabled.
“The governor also plans to end ALL funding for the Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, which assists homeowners, who, through no fault of their own, are in danger of losing their homes.
“Pennsylvania is a Commonwealth, which by definition is a body united by a special interest and a common benefit. The governor’s plan is not in the common benefit. It is a terrible budget for Pennsylvanians, and will only lead to more economic pain for the vast majority of us, through higher local taxes, less educated youth, and more hardships for seniors.
“I will fight for a more equitable spending plan, which does not attack the weakest in our society,” Waters said.
Waters will be holding a press conference in the near future to discuss the budget plan in more detail.
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