State Rep. Duane Milne Issues Statement On Budget Stand-Off
As the Commonwealth reaches its 100th day without a budget, I am speaking out against the gridlock in Harrisburg and urge my colleagues to put aside partisan politics in the interest of providing the citizens of Pennsylvania with a fiscally sound and responsible budget, without delay.
Too many Pennsylvanians are feeling the pain of this delay, but the hardest hit are the ones who deserve it least: child care centers, schools, and libraries, to name a few. I have had schools in my district call to say they are using their copy machines to distribute handouts to their students because they lack the funds to buy books. This is unconscionable.
We have come a long way in recent days in this budget debate and are almost to the finish line. For a handful of legislators to continue to squabble over a few million dollars for pet projects when a $28 billion budget is on the line, not to mention all the funding for human services continuing to be held up, borders on irresponsible. The state senate passed a bipartisan bill Tuesday by an overwhelming margin: 43-6. It reduces state spending by almost $100 million, includes no broad-based tax increases, and drops the idea of a targeted tax on art and cultural events.
I support the gist of this bill, and believe it offers an opportunity to resolve this protracted budget stalemate. I urge my colleagues, Republicans and Democrats alike, to work expeditiously to pass a budget. The citizens of Pennsylvania have waited long enough.
CONTACT: Helen Hammerschmidt
Office of State Rep. Duane Milne
610-251-1070