The state House yesterday passed a budget that Representative Jim Struzzi says “meets the many needs of Pennsylvanians and invests in key areas of importance while keeping spending under control and saving money for the future.”
The $33.997 billion plan increases spending by 1.8 percent and transfers one hundred percent of the estimated $250 million revenue surplus from this year to the state’s Rainy Day Fund. It increases funding for PreK-12 education, higher education and career and technical education (CTE), and investments in agriculture.
“Childhood education, career and technical education, workforce development and agriculture are four areas of extreme importance to me and the 62nd District,” said Struzzi. “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I fought hard for the issues that matter to Indiana County and I am very happy to see them being acknowledged in this budget.”
The budget also spend more for fighting the opioid crisis and helping those suffering from mental and physical disabilities or diseases.
Struzzi also points out that the House budget plan includes no new taxes or fees, funds the state police without Governor Wolf’s proposed municipality per-capita tax, and does not include the governor’s proposal to increase the minimum wage.
The House budget bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. The state’s constitution mandates a balanced budget be in place by this Sunday.
