Brewster: Gov. Announces Budget Decision, Funds to be Released for Schools

March 23, 2016

Harrisburg, Mar. 23, 2016 − State Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) issued the following statement regarding the announcement today that Gov. Tom Wolf will allow a supplemental appropriations bill (House Bill 1801) that would fund schools, agriculture and other budget lines to become law without his approval.

Brewster said that while House Bill 1801 is short-sighted, it can be used as a conduit to speed funds for schools and other programs that are facing a shut-down as a result of a the budget impasse.

Brewster’s statement follows:

“The governor announced today that he will allow the supplemental appropriations bill to become law, without his approval. This will result in the release of key funding for schools and other critical programs. The action today will allow policymakers to back away from the brink of school closings, talk of program shut-downs and other difficulties that have developed as a result of the impasse.

“I had a great concern over a continued budget impasse, the hardship that had been created, and its impact on schools and others who rely on state funding. We needed to move beyond the political back-and-forth and find common ground.

“The governor is right when he criticizes this Republican budget plan for being out-of-balance and failing to appropriately fund schools. However, with this action by the governor, schools, agriculture and other key lines will be funded.

“Throughout this budget impasse, many legislators have worked diligently to find ways to responsibly fund schools and push out funding for important services and programs that have been caught up in politics — and end the impasse. Hopefully, this action today brings closure.”

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Brewster: Better Alternatives to Republican Budget, Votes “No”

June 30, 2015

Harrisburg – June 30, 2015 – Following the passage of the $30.2 billion Republican budget bill (House Bill 1192) today, state Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) issued the following reaction:

“The Republican budget bill that passed the Senate today is fiscally unbalanced and does not include real dollars for schools, property tax relief for homeowners or a responsible energy extraction tax. The bill was drafted without input from legislative Democrats or the governor and is more of an ideological statement than a real spending plan.

“The spending plan includes only a net $8 million in new dollars for 500 school districts and it lets shale drillers off the hook from paying a reasonable tax that would be used to help fund education. The plan ignores the structural deficit of $1.3 billion and would actually increase the deficit to $3 billion within a couple years.

“Overall, the Republican budget package also includes a flawed pension bill that does not address the $45 billion unfunded liability or save real dollars for taxpayers and a liquor privatization measure that would result in the selling off of a valuable asset for little return.

“Hopefully the governor will not accept any of these measures and force Republicans to bargain in good faith on critical issues such as tax relief for homeowners, bona-fide investments in schools and a shale tax that is sustainable and responsible. The governor, Senate Democrats and others have proposed excellent alternatives that will solve school funding issues and property tax relief all within the context of a balanced budget.”

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