Statement on Passage of Budget Bill by Pa. House

HARRISBURG, PA (March 23, 2010) - Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center Director Sharon Ward issued the following statement in response to the state House vote today to approve a 2010-11 state budget bill:

“We are glad to see the House is moving forward expeditiously to enact a budget for the 2010-11 Fiscal Year and would call on the Senate to do the same.

“Still, we are concerned that lawmakers will enact a budget that does not address the major fiscal challenges facing Pennsylvania in the years ahead from the loss of federal recovery funds.

“Lawmakers should enact a responsible budget that addresses these fiscal challenges now rather than delaying the hard decisions until another day. The General Assembly has already made deep cuts in the current budget to job training, environmental protection, libraries, and services for children and vulnerable adults. Going forward, we need a more balanced approach that includes reasonable revenue measures, as well as efficiencies, to allow the Commonwealth to meet its obligations during this prolonged recession.”