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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2010
CONTACT:
Scott Sikorski
717-787-1377
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Senate Approves Fiscally Responsible Budget On-time
House Bill 2279 restrains state spending, avoids tax
increases
The Senate today approved and returned to the House of Representatives a
state budget package that holds the line on spending and maintains state
services and programs without a broad-based tax increase, according to Senate
Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman (R-34).
Corman said HB 2279 reduces spending by $1 billion from the governor’s
original request and includes a total revenue increase of less than 1 percent –
"reflecting the recession we are in and the commitment of this Legislature to
rein in spending and to tighten our belts."
"This is a fiscally conservative budget that reflects the tough economic
times both individuals and the state is facing and does not raise taxes on
Pennsylvanians who are also struggling," Corman said. "Every department and
line-item was scrutinized to find ways to rein in spending without the need to
further the burden on taxpayers."
While keeping spending to a lower level, House Bill 2279 also increases
funding for education and ensures that the state continues to fund core
government programs and services. Corman stated the bill was "a fair share
commitment that seeks balance support with economic reality."
Corman said the final budget also reflects cooperation among legislators
throughout the state who were determined to get a budget done that was fair and
on time so that programs and services that rely on state funding were not
impacted. "We made a commitment to get this budget done on time and to spend
less and we met that goal," stated Corman. "To reduce costs under what we spent
two years ago, in the face of rising mandates, is unparalleled in recent
Commonwealth history." | 
