Representatives from York/Adams Counties Issue Statement on Budget
5/26/2020
HARRISBURG – The House of Representatives today approved a responsible, short-term $25.8 billion budget that runs through November. In response, the Republican House delegation from York and Adams counites, who are House Appropriations Chair Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) and Reps. Torren Ecker (R-Abbottstown), Kate Klunk (R-Hanover), Dan Moul (R-Gettysburg), Seth Grove (R-Dover) and Keith Gillespie (R-Hellam), issued the following statement:
“These unusual times have led to an unusual budget process. The Legislature will approve two short-term spending plans for the 2020-21 fiscal year instead of the usual single 12-month budget. We believe this is the responsible approach to managing taxpayer dollars.
“The short-term budget we approved today keeps spending at the same level it was during the 2019-20 fiscal year, ensuring core government services will continue without stoppage. The budget also provides a full 12 months of funding to our schools so that students will have the needed resources when they return to the classroom.
“The past few months have been hard for all Pennsylvanians, especially when it comes to their finances. As such, the budget does not include broad-based tax increases.
“A measure associated with the budget, however, does include the elimination of cost-of-living increases for members of the General Assembly, the governor, lieutenant governor, cabinet secretaries and other senior staff, and all judges for two years.
“State government was also obviously hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the response to it. At this point, it is nearly impossible to predict expenditures and revenues for an entire year. It is in the best interest of all Pennsylvanians that we take the approach of creating two budgets this year.
“It is now time to move Pennsylvania forward in a responsible way and that begins with producing a responsible budget that keeps spending in check and doesn’t increase taxes.”
House Republican Delegation of York and Adams Counites
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Greg Gross
717.260.6374
ggross@pahousegop.com