Senate Bill 850 represents a responsible, balanced budget overall

 

Harrisburg, PA – Wednesday, May 06, 2009, State Senator John H. Eichelberger, Jr. applauded his Senate Republican colleagues today for voting to pass SB 850, a budget proposal that represents a responsible spending plan with no tax increases.

 

“Pennsylvania faces an almost $3 billion deficit this year with even larger deficits looming on the horizon,” says John.  “While I am not happy about the disposition of every line in this budget, our caucus took the correct approach, made the tough decisions and arrived at a balanced budget under very difficult circumstances.  We can either increase revenues, which means raising taxes, or we can decrease spending.  This budget represents the first decrease in General Fund spending since I took office and I support that effort.”

 

SB 850 passed the State Senate today by a vote of 30 – 20 and now heads to the House of Representatives for its consideration.  It is a $27.3 billion spending plan, with $24.6 billion in state funds and $2.7 billion in federal stimulus money.  This is a roughly $400 million decrease in spending from the 2008-2009 enacted budget.  SB 850 maintains the Rainy Day Fund balance and includes no tax increases.

 

                                                                             

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