Politics & Government

In Their Words: Lawmakers Discuss State Budget

Legislators from across eastern Pennsylvania react to the state budget.

As the ink from Gov. Corbett's pen dries from signing his first budget in office, citizens from across the commonwealth mull over the implications of $27.15 billion budget. Legislators from eastern Pennsylvania are among those opining on a bill that Republicans champion for being 4.1 percent lower than its predecessor. Democrats, meanwhile, bemoan what they see as critical cuts to education and other programming.

Below is a sampling of views from General Assembly members in Bucks, Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton and Philadelphia counties, as collected by Patch editors. 

Rep. Pam DeLissio (D-194/Philadelphia and Montgomery)"I am fascinated that I had little more than 30 hours to review and prepare for the most important responsibility in a member's job description... I am disturbed by the accounting maneuvers that ensure that the spend number would not exceed the governor's $27.3 billion limit. The constituents of the 194th District know how to add, even though their kids may find it difficult to learn to add due to the education budget cuts."

Rep. Steve Samuelson (D-135/Lehigh and Northampton) “It’s an anti-learning budget. It didn’t have to be that way,” he said, pointing out that the state finished the year with a $785 million surplus, of which the Republican-led legislature only used $100 million to restore, adding where the surplus will be spent remains a mystery. “They passed a law that it was not going into the rainy day fund. So where is it?”

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Rep. Joseph Brennan (D-133/Lehigh and Northampton) “This budget required some tough choices to reduce government spending, but it also includes some very bad choices. Especially choices about how to re-invest and use the $27.15 billion that is available—for the benefit of as many Pennsylvanian families as we possibly can.” 

Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-18/Northampton, Lehigh and Monroe)“Irresponsible budget cuts are just as bad as irresponsible spending.”

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Rep. Kate Harper (R-61/Montgomery)“In very challenging economic times, we were able to pass a budget that will not further burden our citizens with new or increased taxes. And I am pleased to report that, for the first time in eight years, the budget is done on time.”

Rep. Todd Stephens (R-151/Montgomery) “In these difficult financial times, it’s more important than ever that state government lives within its means while ensuring we continue to help those who truly need it. This budget does just that.” 

Rep. Duane Milne (R-167/Chester)"I am pleased the legislature was able to pass a budget that funds our core responsibilities in the state, does so in a fiscally responsible manner, and meets the June 30 deadline for the first time in eight years... This was accomplished without imposing new taxes on people in these difficult economic times."

Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19/Chester)"A vote for this budget was a vote against open space, it was a vote for higher local property taxes and higher tuition at schools like West Chester University, Temple University and Penn State, and it was a vote against our friends and neighbors who work hard but in jobs that do not let them afford the most basic health care."

Rep. Joe Emrick (R-137/Northampton)“As a freshman legislator, I’m excited to be a part of the first on-time budget in eight years and I hope this remains the trend going forward. This year’s budget is arguably the most fiscally responsible budget to pass in recent memory. For the first time in years, Pennsylvanians won’t have to endure any new taxes, borrowing or irresponsible spending.” 

Sen. Bob Mensch (R-24/Bucks, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton)“The budget reflects the current economic conditions in Pennsylvania. We were facing a structural deficit of more than $4 billion. The only choices available were to raise taxes or cut spending. The final spending plan upholds the Senate Republican Caucus’ commitment to finalizing a budget on time that is balanced, includes no 'gimmicks,' and does not increase taxes."

Rep. Justin Simmons (R-131/Northampton and Lehigh)“We made history with this budget. This is only the third time in nearly 40 years the Commonwealth will be spending less money than the previous year. That said, House Republicans were still able to restore some of the education cuts first proposed by the governor."

Rep. Greg Vitali (D-166/Delaware)"Cuts this deep to Department of Environmental Protection put the health and safety of Pennsylvanians at risk. That's beyond comprehension when you consider the budget leaves revenue in the form of a drilling tax on the table while DEP's responsibilities continue to increase because of the growth of the natural gas industry."

Rep. Warren Kampf (R-157/Chester and Montgomery)“For nearly a decade we watched government spending and borrowing grow at unsustainable rates. This budget recognizes the financial burdens we’ve placed on our families and reverses these trends by reducing spending and rejecting tax increases when people can least afford them.” 

Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-147/Montgomery and Berks)"This is a responsible budget that can be sustained, unlike past budgets that handed off the hard choices to future legislatures. We've cut wasteful spending, killed ineffective programs, and closed a $4 billion structural deficit, all without raising taxes. Just as important, we were able to restore much of the funding to school districts that Gov. Tom Corbett proposed eliminating."


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