For the second time this year, Senate Republicans approved a state budget that respects taxpayers and protects the financial stability of our commonwealth while ensuring that counties, school districts, and other state government partners receive needed funding, said Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-39), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-41) and Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Scott Martin (R-13).
The amended budget bill, Senate Bill 160, totals $47.9 billion, a responsible spending level that represents an increase of $300 million from the plan passed by the Senate in August. The new Senate budget plan continues to meet the Senate Republican requirement of imposing no tax hikes on Pennsylvania families while taking the added step of fully funding the commonwealth’s debt service and its share of school employees’ retirement. These steps will ensure Pennsylvania’s credit rating remains strong and the school employees’ pension system meets its obligation to current and retired teachers.
Leading by example, the Senate-passed budget includes a 5% cut in spending for the General Assembly, reflecting the Senate Republican priority of drawing down excess reserves and right-sizing legislative spending.
“Gov. Josh Shapiro has been governor for three years and this is his third late budget,” Ward said. “He has been unable to bring the parties together so instead he flies around the state on taxpayer dollars getting his face in front of the cameras and pointing fingers. That’s not how, using the governor’s words, you ‘get stuff done.’ On Feb. 4, 259 days ago, Gov. Shapiro presented us with an unbalanced budget that spends billions more than projected revenue which will guarantee tax increases on Pennsylvanians for the next several years to pay for his spending.
“We sent a budget to the House on Aug. 12, and they didn’t send back their compromise until 12 days ago, so today Senate Republicans once again sent a budget to the House of Representatives. This budget will include $300 million in additional spending from our original budget and this will once again give the House Democrats the opportunity to release funding to schools, counties, crisis centers and human services.”
“Today, all 27 Senate Republicans advanced a state budget for a second time this year,” Pittman said. “The budget pays the bills, pays our obligations, fulfills pension debt services, and relieves the immediate crisis in front of us. In one day and with one vote from House Democrats, this budget can get to the governor’s desk. The Democrats’ budget impasse should never have happened, and those who rely on government services and programs should not be facing hardship. Senate Republicans have and will continue to stand up for taxpayers and families. We welcome the governor and House Democrats to come back to Harrisburg and join us to enact this budget into law.”
“Passing a responsible budget is the only way we can begin to tackle the fiscal, economic, and demographic challenges facing our commonwealth,” Martin said. “We have to confront the reality that we cannot fund every priority Democrats are pushing. Until they accept that and agree to a more responsible path forward, our focus should remain on limiting the impact of this impasse and getting funding out to our counties, school districts and service providers without any more unnecessary delays. This should have been done months ago when we passed the budget the first time.”
