Causer Decries Democrats' Rejection of No-Tax Budget Plan
HARRISBURG - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) expressed frustration and disappointment over the Democrat-led state House rejection of a balanced, no-tax-hike budget proposal Thursday.
"In Cameron, McKean and Potter counties, we are facing double-digit unemployment rates," Causer said during debate on the House floor. "People are struggling back home. They can't afford any tax increases."
The $27.27 billion, no-tax budget proposal was offered by House Republican Appropriations Committee Chairman Mario Civera as an amendment to the Democrats' $29.1 billion spending plan. After several hours of debate, it was defeated in a mostly party-line vote, 95-103.
"The Civera amendment funds essential government services but cuts overall spending and forces state government to live within its means," Causer said. "And while the administration and some education advocates claim the plan cuts money for public education, it actually increases funding for each and every school district across the Commonwealth over last year."
The Civera plan also continues funding for higher education, public safety, services for seniors and people with disabilities, hospitals, state parks and more.
"It does all of these things without increasing taxes and with an eye toward preventing tax increases in the future," Causer said. "It is just the kind of budget we need during these challenging economic times."
Instead, lawmakers are left with an unbalanced, irresponsible budget proposal that provides ZERO funding for higher education and, if enacted, all but guarantees Pennsylvanians would face higher taxes in the near future.
"The Democrat-sponsored House Bill 1416 is the most expensive budget proposal in our history and increases spending by $1.4 billion over last year," Causer said. "While people across the Commonwealth are cutting back and making do with what they have, House Democrats want to spend more and tax more.
"That is clearly the wrong direction for Pennsylvania."
For more on the state budget, visit www.RepCauser.com.
"In Cameron, McKean and Potter counties, we are facing double-digit unemployment rates," Causer said during debate on the House floor. "People are struggling back home. They can't afford any tax increases."
The $27.27 billion, no-tax budget proposal was offered by House Republican Appropriations Committee Chairman Mario Civera as an amendment to the Democrats' $29.1 billion spending plan. After several hours of debate, it was defeated in a mostly party-line vote, 95-103.
"The Civera amendment funds essential government services but cuts overall spending and forces state government to live within its means," Causer said. "And while the administration and some education advocates claim the plan cuts money for public education, it actually increases funding for each and every school district across the Commonwealth over last year."
The Civera plan also continues funding for higher education, public safety, services for seniors and people with disabilities, hospitals, state parks and more.
"It does all of these things without increasing taxes and with an eye toward preventing tax increases in the future," Causer said. "It is just the kind of budget we need during these challenging economic times."
Instead, lawmakers are left with an unbalanced, irresponsible budget proposal that provides ZERO funding for higher education and, if enacted, all but guarantees Pennsylvanians would face higher taxes in the near future.
"The Democrat-sponsored House Bill 1416 is the most expensive budget proposal in our history and increases spending by $1.4 billion over last year," Causer said. "While people across the Commonwealth are cutting back and making do with what they have, House Democrats want to spend more and tax more.
"That is clearly the wrong direction for Pennsylvania."
For more on the state budget, visit www.RepCauser.com.
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