Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Mario J. Civera Jr. (R-Upper Darby) issued the following statement on the state budget and Pennsylvania’s economic climate following today’s budget hearing:
“Today’s hearing was a step in the right direction in terms of our efforts to address the state’s budget concerns. We have been calling on the Rendell Administration and the House Democrats to work with us on this matter for several months now, so I am pleased to see progress being made.
“We are facing a very difficult road ahead. The economy is showing no signs of improvement, so we must adhere to a much greater level of fiscal restraint.
“House Republicans made it very clear during this past summer’s budget negotiations that the declining revenues were a sign of things to come, which was why we so adamantly fought to control expenditures and preserve the Rainy Day Fund.
“Now, controlled spending is more critical than ever. Pennsylvania is not in the position to begin creating new programs. There are people throughout the state who are currently making tough choices every day to balance their own family budgets. We need to look at state government and the budget in the same way to ensure we too are living within our means.
“Tax increases should not be an option. Instead, we need to work to find ways to help families and businesses keep more of their hard-earned money through tax cuts, which are a form of economic stimulus themselves.
“The decisions we make will not fix the state’s economic problems overnight, but failure to address them properly will make the situation worse. Our caucus is committed to doing whatever is necessary to guide Pennsylvania through these tough times, and we hope the other parties involved in the budget negotiations are equally committed to meeting this goal.”
Rep. Mario J. Civera, Jr.
164th District
House Appropriations Committee, Chairman
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(610) 853-4115
(717) 787-3850
www.MarioCivera.com
Contact: Todd Brysiak
Communications Coordinator
(717) 787-1711