Editorial:
State Senator Joe Scarnati
On May 6, 2009, the Senate of Pennsylvania passed, along party lines, a fiscally responsible budget that responds to our current economic crisis. This budget reflects an understanding of our revenue shortfall and yields many cuts to programs that not only I, but other Senators as well, have supported in the past. With that said, tough budget realities require tough budget decisions.
The $27.3 billion spending package in Senate Bill 850 is responsible and puts Pennsylvania in a position to grow with the economy when it starts to improve. To date the Commonwealth is looking at a $3 billion deficit this year and with most analysts projecting little to no growth next year, it is imperative that we get our spending under control now. The other alternative and one that appears to have the support of the Governor and House Democrats, is to drastically raise taxes. Without question, I find this alternative irresponsible and somewhat humorous given that the federal stimulus dollars are approximately $10 billion and they are still considering the idea of raising taxes. This budget, however, uses dollars that are being brought in by state revenues along with the federal stimulus package. Simply put, we are operating our budget like families and businesses…we are only spending what we are bringing in. I know, for state government under the Rendell Administration, it is somewhat of an odd concept.
Let me be very clear, when you have a deficit and a struggling economy, there are only two ways to bring about a balanced budget. You can either cut spending, which we did in our budget or you can raise taxes, which seemingly is the Governor’s and the Democrats’ solution to this predicament. I have stated time and time again, that I will not support broad based tax increases at a time when families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. At the end of the day we must put our house in order and not put additional burdens on the many hard working men and women of Pennsylvania. I am not saying that the cuts were easy, but quite frankly we had to make a decision on each line item and examine if it was truly a core function of state government. We did this demanding task and came up with what I feel is a sensible 2009/2010 budget.
Although, it is unfortunate that the Administration chooses to use rhetoric and make the case that the Senate Republicans do not care about education, economic development, the poor, or whatever group he chooses to use as pawns in his approach to spend. Obviously nothing could be further from the truth. We care that our children receive a sound education and that is why this budget along with federal dollars increases subsidies to schools in my district by 3 to 10 percent. We care about economic development and that is why we want citizens and businesses to keep more of their money so that they can invest in their future. We care about all individuals who have come upon hard times and that is why this budget does not cut services necessary to assist in their transition. The fact of the matter is that the Senate Republicans care enough to pass a budget that prioritizes spending, meets the core responsibilities of government, and does not raise taxes at a time when individuals and businesses can least afford it.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is an opportunity to reform state government. This is an opportunity to rein in government spending and live within our means. This is an opportunity to show the citizens of Pennsylvania that we care about their quality of life and that we do not want to take more money out of their pockets during this difficult time. Yes, we have many challenges ahead, but where there are challenges, there are opportunities. The clock is ticking and if the Administration and the House Democrats do not like this budget, then show us a budget with whatever tax increases they like best. In the end, I am confident that as we move forward the Governor and the House Democrats will see the merit in this demanding, yet practical, budget.
On a side note, I apologize to the state employees who received a letter from the Governor threatening, essentially, furloughs. Please know that it is his choice and his alone to make this decision. He does not need to put your livelihoods in the middle of our budget negotiations, and it clearly signifies a lack of understanding on his part that average Pennsylvanians live paycheck to paycheck.
The $27.3 billion spending package in Senate Bill 850 is responsible and puts Pennsylvania in a position to grow with the economy when it starts to improve. To date the Commonwealth is looking at a $3 billion deficit this year and with most analysts projecting little to no growth next year, it is imperative that we get our spending under control now. The other alternative and one that appears to have the support of the Governor and House Democrats, is to drastically raise taxes. Without question, I find this alternative irresponsible and somewhat humorous given that the federal stimulus dollars are approximately $10 billion and they are still considering the idea of raising taxes. This budget, however, uses dollars that are being brought in by state revenues along with the federal stimulus package. Simply put, we are operating our budget like families and businesses…we are only spending what we are bringing in. I know, for state government under the Rendell Administration, it is somewhat of an odd concept.
Let me be very clear, when you have a deficit and a struggling economy, there are only two ways to bring about a balanced budget. You can either cut spending, which we did in our budget or you can raise taxes, which seemingly is the Governor’s and the Democrats’ solution to this predicament. I have stated time and time again, that I will not support broad based tax increases at a time when families and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. At the end of the day we must put our house in order and not put additional burdens on the many hard working men and women of Pennsylvania. I am not saying that the cuts were easy, but quite frankly we had to make a decision on each line item and examine if it was truly a core function of state government. We did this demanding task and came up with what I feel is a sensible 2009/2010 budget.
Although, it is unfortunate that the Administration chooses to use rhetoric and make the case that the Senate Republicans do not care about education, economic development, the poor, or whatever group he chooses to use as pawns in his approach to spend. Obviously nothing could be further from the truth. We care that our children receive a sound education and that is why this budget along with federal dollars increases subsidies to schools in my district by 3 to 10 percent. We care about economic development and that is why we want citizens and businesses to keep more of their money so that they can invest in their future. We care about all individuals who have come upon hard times and that is why this budget does not cut services necessary to assist in their transition. The fact of the matter is that the Senate Republicans care enough to pass a budget that prioritizes spending, meets the core responsibilities of government, and does not raise taxes at a time when individuals and businesses can least afford it.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is an opportunity to reform state government. This is an opportunity to rein in government spending and live within our means. This is an opportunity to show the citizens of Pennsylvania that we care about their quality of life and that we do not want to take more money out of their pockets during this difficult time. Yes, we have many challenges ahead, but where there are challenges, there are opportunities. The clock is ticking and if the Administration and the House Democrats do not like this budget, then show us a budget with whatever tax increases they like best. In the end, I am confident that as we move forward the Governor and the House Democrats will see the merit in this demanding, yet practical, budget.
On a side note, I apologize to the state employees who received a letter from the Governor threatening, essentially, furloughs. Please know that it is his choice and his alone to make this decision. He does not need to put your livelihoods in the middle of our budget negotiations, and it clearly signifies a lack of understanding on his part that average Pennsylvanians live paycheck to paycheck.
.jpg)
Comments