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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Dwight Evans |
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Appropriations Committee amends budget bill
HARRISBURG, June 11 -- The state House Appropriations Committee today amended Gov. Ed Rendell’s 2008-09 budget proposal by restoring $147 million to programs that historically are funded by the state.
"Governor Rendell’s proposal gave us a starting point, but our amendment reflects the priorities of House members from both sides of the aisle," said state Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Phila., who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and sponsor of H.B. 2380, the budget bill. "This is a difficult budget year for all of us. Even so, it’s important we continue our investments in the people, programs and policies that will move Pennsylvania forward."
Rendell’s proposed $28.3 billion General Fund spending plan is 4.2 percent higher than the state’s current plan. The Appropriations Committee added a little more than 0.5 percent in spending. Overall, spending would be 4.8 percent higher than the current fiscal year under the amended plan.
"In comparison to the total budget, this is not a huge number," Evans said. "But it shows our commitment to the kinds of programs that allow Pennsylvania to thrive."
Farmers, emergency responders, small business owners, museums, teachers, health-care advocates, the Civil Air Patrol, veterans’ organizations and public television stations are among those that would see their funding restored.
The amendment passed by a vote of 21 to 13. With today’s action, the bill is poised to move to the floor for debate the week of June 23 if necessary.
Amending the budget proposal is part of broader negotiations that are underway to craft the state’s new budget. Appropriations Committee members and staff continue to meet daily with their counterparts in the Senate, along with the representatives of the administration. In addition, leadership from both chambers has scheduled weekly meetings with the governor.
"We’re negotiating and we are moving the process forward," said Evans who said he is committed to finalizing the budget by June 30, the last day of the current fiscal year. "What I hope for is a settlement with the Senate and the governor’s office."
In addition to amending the budget, the Appropriations Committee took action this week to pay state workers should the budget not be completed by June 30, the last day of the fiscal year. The committee voted to earmark $20 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to pay the salaries of nearly 25,000 workers who otherwise would be furloughed.
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