|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. Thomas Caltagirone |
|
Caltagirone comments on Governor Rendell’s budget proposal
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, made the following statement regarding Gov. Ed Rendell’s 2009-10 budget proposal offered to members of the General Assembly today:
"The governor today outlined several budget components where funding would be sustained, and in some cases increased. The residents of the 127th District in particular could reap the benefits of this proposal, helping them to weather the storm during the national economic crisis.
"I agree with the governor that we should ask for federal help to double the number of people enrolled in the state's adultBasic health coverage program to 90,000 adults. This is not a charity program. Most of the people enrolled in adultBasic have full-time jobs and are employed by small businesses that cannot afford the high cost of premiums. The program has assisted thousands in Berks County over the years, and we have people sitting on the waiting list.
"Under this proposal, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency would see an increase of $45 million, with $10 million specifically earmarked for students at community colleges. This would bode well not only for students, but the thousands employed at Reading Area Community College and Kutztown University.
"Right now, other states are proposing drastic cuts to their higher education funding -- Maryland is slashing funding by $50 million. Here in Pennsylvania, we understand the enormity of how the economic crisis impacts our own budgetary constraints. However, I was very disappointed to hear that governor proposes to terminate the funding for the Scotland School. I hope education will win in the end, because sustained education funding is an investment in the economic future of our state.
"The governor also proposed the Pennsylvania Tuition Relief Act, which would help families earning under $100,000 pay for tuition at state system universities and community colleges. He has asked the legislature to legalize video poker machines as a means to offset tuition costs for college students. The machines would be legalized at taverns and clubs, at a time when some 17,000 machines are operating illegally in the state.
"I plan to introduce legislation that would restrict, regulate and tax this activity. I believe that through proper regulation, the machines can generate substantial funding that would be a tremendous benefit to the citizens of our Commonwealth.
"I also was pleased to hear the governor consider school district consolidation, which I have been advocating for a number of years. During these harsh economic times, we need to consider saving money any way we can. I will be introducing several bills in the near future that deal with this issue. I believe that substantial savings could be realized if the state were to centralize and control public school spending in many areas. It’s time to stop talking about consolidation and put it into action.
"Finally, I'm pleased the governor proposed no major cuts to those programs on which children, families and other vulnerable individuals rely. Cuts to Medicaid would shift the burden to local government, charities, churches and foundations, who already are strapped, to provide services to people without jobs or health-care coverage. I appreciate the governor's efforts during this time of crisis and I will do my part to ensure the people of the 127th District are impacted as little as possible."
###