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Dear Friend,
I am pleased to present my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable
me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and
around the 47th Senatorial District to you in a timely manner while saving
postage costs.
If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website
www.senatoreldervogel.com for
more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive
these e-newsletters, please click the “unsubscribe” button at the bottom of the
page.
Sincerely,
Elder Vogel
E-Newsletter Special Edition:
Budget Update
Yesterday, Governor Wolf line-item vetoed several significant parts of the
balanced budget that I voted for and the Legislature sent to him last week. I am
disappointed that he continues to insist on massive tax increases on working
Pennsylvanians to fund his expansion of the size and scope of state government,
even as he distorts the truth about our bipartisan budget proposal. Although I
have been critical of many of Governor Wolf’s decisions in recent months, it is
encouraging that today’s action on the budget will finally relieve some of the
pressures our schools and social service agencies have faced in recent months as
a result of his previous decisions to withhold funding.
I believe that we can responsibly invest in our children’s future and fully
fund all core areas of state government without raising income and sales taxes
on working Pennsylvanians. The budget that I voted for did just that. With this
veto, the Governor has made it clear that he believes Pennsylvanians do not pay
enough in taxes. Apparently, having the 10th highest tax burden of all states is
not enough for him. I remain firmly opposed to broad-based, punishing tax
increases. The legislature has shown a willingness to work with Governor Wolf on
his priorities; but, compromise is a two-way street.
The budget that I voted for committed a record $10.7 billion to education. It
increased K-12 education by $150 million, Special Education by $30 million,
Pre-K by $30 million, and added $10 million to the Education Improvement Tax
Credit. Let me be clear, when Governor Wolf characterized the budget that was
placed in front of him as an ‘exercise in stupidity’ and claimed that it cuts
education funding by $95 million, those statements are intended to deceive.
Governor Wolf may act like he is saving schools and non-profit organizations
from financial disaster with his decision to partially fund them on an
"emergency basis," but the truth is that I voted for and the Legislature sent
him emergency funding for schools and nonprofits many months ago. He vetoed that
bill, forcing schools and human service agencies to take out loans to cover
their expenses while he held them hostage for higher taxes. I'm relieved that
they will receive funding now, but Governor Wolf is many months late on this
decision, costing taxpayers and nonprofits tens of thousands of dollars in
interest payments.
For many Pennsylvanians, Governor Wolf’s line-item veto will only continue
the pain felt by the absence of a balanced budget. To name only a few of the
impacts of the Governor’s veto:
- Reduction of the Basic Education Subsidy—the primary state line-item
for public schools—to $2.5 billion, approximately $3.1 billion less than our
budget appropriated.
- Elimination of line-items such as Medical Assistance (MA) Obstetrics &
Neonatal Services, MA Critical Access Hospitals, MA Hospital-based Burn Centers
- Reduction of funding for Department of Agriculture by over 50%,
eliminating significant number of essential support programs for Pennsylvania’s
largest industry.
- State funding for State Correctional Institutions cut by 50%
- Local Municipal Emergency Relief funding completely eliminated
I'm disappointed that Governor Wolf chose to prolong the budget impasse.
Although this plan meets many of the most pressing needs of vulnerable
populations, a number of other worthwhile programs and services remain unfunded.
We presented a bipartisan, responsible spending plan that increased education
funding without massive, broad-based tax increases. I intend to continue to
fight for my constituents that are overwhelmingly opposed to Governor Wolf's
tax-and-spend agenda. There is no doubt that much work remains in order to
finalize the state budget, and I am committed to working toward that goal.
Please
contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or
to receive help in dealing with a state agency.
Follow Me on Twitter!
I have a Twitter account to better connect with my constituents
and provide daily updates on my voting record, whereabouts, state
government, and local news affecting the 47 S.D. To access my Twitter page,
click here.
Please
contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to
receive help in dealing with a state agency.
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Offices
Senate Box 203047
362 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3047
Phone:
(717)
787-3076
FAX: (717) 772-2756
District
Monday-Friday
8:30 - 4:30
Rochester
488 Adams Street
Rochester, PA 15074-1940
Phone: (724) 774-0444
FAX: (724) 773-7384
New Castle
1905 W. State Street
New Castle, PA 16101
Phone: (724) 654-1444
FAX: (724) 656-3182
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