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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Barbara Fellencer Phone: 717-772-3353 Email: bfellenc@pahouse.net
Johnna A. Pro
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State Rep. Dwight Evans |
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STATE REP. DWIGHT EVANS USHERS GENERAL FUND BUDGET BILL THROUGH THE HOUSE IN RECORD SPEED
HARRISBURG (May 23, 2007) --- Just 52 hours after returning to Harrisburg following the Philadelphia Mayoral Race, State Rep. Dwight Evans ushered a proposed general fund budget through the House of Representatives and sent it off to the Senate for consideration.
“I am committed to having a budget in place by June 30 and this is the first step,” said Evans, powerful chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. “If we’re serious about reform, then we must show that the public that we can perform.”
Lawmakers approved the $27.3 billion proposal with a vote 102 to 97. The Governor’s original proposal in February called for a one percent sales tax increase to generate $1.2 billion. Of that amount, two thirds would have been used for the general fund and the remainder was dedicated to property tax relief.
“Our revenue picture changed significantly since February when the governor released his proposal, so we can accomplish this portion of the spending without a tax increase,” Evans said. “This is only a starting point. This is not the end point.”
House Bill 1286 reflects priorities of the Democratic Caucus including continued increases in education funding, health care for children and services for the elderly, and help for working.
As the budget process moves forward and negotiations over the final budget continues, other priorities are expected to become a part of the budget discussions.
¨ Zoos, museums, public television and general support for the arts;
¨ Small business development and other economic development initiatives;
¨ Environmental programs;
¨ Research for cancer, arthritis, lupus, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia and other diseases;
¨ Funding for food banks and other agricultural programs
¨ Money for educational institutions and museums
Evans said that in addition to the General Fund Appropriation Bill, there is still much to do including solving the funding crisis facing public transit and fixing crumbling roads and bridges. Those items still need to be addressed in the budget process.
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