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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Jesse White
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Budget struggle is history
HARRISBURG, Oct. 9 – The legislature did its part in ending the 101-day budget impasse, sending a package of several bills to the governor, which he said he will sign into law.
Rep. Jesse White, D-Washington/Allegheny/Beaver, said he is relieved to see the extended process come to an end, but that the final package was worth fighting for on behalf of his constituents.
Most importantly, White noted the budget
contains no broad-based tax increases.
"I and a number of other fiscally conservative 'Blue Dog' Democrats fought back and put the brakes on the governor's proposed Personal Income Tax increase," said White. "Then, in the last few days, I and my fellow Democrats reversed the Senate's proposed taxes on small service clubs, fire departments and the arts.
"We also eliminated WAMs (so-called "walking around money") and cut billions in proposed government spending. In fact, I'm proud to report that we will spend half a billion less than we did last year."
White added that while the final budget for 2009-10 isn't perfect, it is a vast improvement over what was advancing in June and even the way it looked two weeks ago.