Budget Plan Investing in PA’s Future Reaches Governor’s Desk

HARRISBURG – House Republican leadership focused on a budget that saves, cuts, invests, manages and educates for a better future for all Pennsylvanians.

This week it passed the House, and Thursday it passed the Senate, on both occasions with bipartisan support.

House Bill 790 features no new taxes or increases and no additional fees, continuing a multi-year effort that has resulted in increased revenues for the Commonwealth.

The House budget proposal focuses on several key priorities to stand up for Pennsylvania taxpayers and protect their hard-earned money today and in the future.

At the top of the agenda is saving money and growing the state’s Rainy Day Fund. Thanks to smart budgeting, the proposed budget includes a deposit of more than $250 million into the state’s primary “savings account.”

“This historic addition to the Rainy Day Fund protects taxpayers today, and in the future, helping to avoid Pennsylvanians from tax hikes down the road,” House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said.

“Responsible saving and investing are exactly what the residents expect from us, and this budget sets the state on a sustainable path for success.”

The total spending proposed is $33.997 billion, a 1.8 percent increase over the current fiscal year, which is in line with the rate of inflation.

“Throughout the past eight years, many of our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have pushed to impose new taxes, increase tax rates and otherwise enlarge Pennsylvania’s government,” Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) said.

“We have consistently rejected these calls, and insisted on a pro-growth, pro-jobs agenda that would allow revenues to grow through increased economic activity, not new taxes.”

“This budget represents the hard work of the House, Senate and the governor and is one of the best budgets we’ve provided the taxpayers in the last 16 years,” House Appropriations Committee Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) added.

“We are making strategic investments in places that matter most to our constituents – growing education funding, special education and career and technical education. These investments empower Pennsylvanians to educate for success and open up doors to family-sustaining careers for every resident of the Commonwealth.”

The 2019-20 budget increases funding for individuals with disabilities by $90 million, to a total of over $2 billion, helping the state’s most vulnerable citizens live fuller lives.

It also increases state spending on public K-12 education by $432 million, to a record of nearly $13 billion, providing Pennsylvania’s children with the best possible foundation for their futures.

Additionally, career and technical education would receive an increase of $10 million, with separate increases for some of the highest-performing technical schools to help their pathways to success be accessible by as many students as possible across our Commonwealth.

The House Republican proposal also shows major investments in agriculture, the state’s leading industry. The state’s farmers will see an additional $19.5 million in funding in this budget, an increase of more than 12 percent.

House Republican Leadership expresses its gratitude to Gov. Tom Wolf for his collaborative approach to this year’s budget process and encourages him to sign House Bill 790 into law.