Republican Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Mario J. Civera, Jr. (R-Upper Darby) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Edward Rendell’s 2009-10 budget proposal:
“Given the scope of the economic downturn that has gripped this Commonwealth over the last several months and the state’s growing fiscal concerns, I am truly taken aback by Governor Rendell’s proposal.
“At a time in which the state is facing a $2.3 billion deficit, the governor has proposed increasing state spending to $29 billion. That is $705 million more than the budget we adopted in July, which has already proven to be more than we can afford.
“Pennsylvania needs a responsible budget, and I do not believe this proposal addresses that need.
“When I talk to people here in our community it is clear that working families and businesses are struggling every day to make ends meet. As difficult as it may be, they do everything they can to make it work. State government needs to follow suit and do the same. Unfortunately, I did not see the type of effort in the governor’s plan that we need.
“I fear that this budget’s dependency on one-time revenues and short-term fixes is laying the groundwork for a major tax increase. We simply cannot continue to increase spending like this and assume it will not catch up with us because it most certainly will. The budget cannot be balanced on the backs of state taxpayers.
“While the governor and I clearly have different approaches to the state’s fiscal concerns – as was evident with today’s budget – I am hopeful he will work with us here in the legislature to develop a plan that will do what is right for the people of Pennsylvania. Fortunately, the next several months will give us the chance to do so.”
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