The State House yesterday passed the Republican budget plan by a thirty-vote margin, with Majority Leader Dave Reed saying it is the beginning of the process of reinventing state government.
The $31.52 billion fiscal plan reduces overall spending by $246 million, and is $815 million less than Governor Wolf’s proposal. Nearly forty percent of the spending is for Pre-K through grade 12 education. $11.8 billion is earmarked for Basic Education, Special Education, and PreK funding, an increase of $150 million.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Reed outlined the goals of the budget, including education, public safety, and the protection of taxpayers’ checkbooks. “This budget provides a new opportunity to step away from the past and reverse the growing of government to reinvent state government in the most efficient and effective ways – without raising taxes.”
Representative Chris Dush’s 66th District includes a substantial portion of Indiana County. He says the budget proposal passed yesterday is a good first step in arriving at a fiscal plan.
The budget bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
