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For Immediate Release
October 6, 2009
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Senate Approves Responsible Bipartisan State Budget Proposal 

HARRISBURG -- The Senate approved a bipartisan budget package today that reduces state spending and maintains state services and programs without a broad-based tax increase, according to Senator Richard Alloway II (R-33).  

Senate Bill 1085 sets General Fund spending at $27.85 billion, $432 million less than last year’s budget total of $28.267 billion. The spending total is more than $1 billion less than the Governor’s initial budget request.  "This is just the beginning.  We cut $400 million in spending this year, and we need to continue to cut spending next year," Alloway said.   

"I am thankful that we have reached a strong bipartisan compromise that will fund vital state services at responsible, sustainable levels."  "I am hopeful that my colleagues in the House of Representatives will take action immediately to get funds flowing to our counties, school districts and non-profit organizations as soon as possible," Alloway said.    

The spending plan would increase basic education funding by $300 million and fund special education at last year’s funding levels to help prevent school districts from enacting property tax hikes to deal with budget shortfalls. The plan would also allow social services and counties to receive funding quickly to prevent service interruptions and unnecessary borrowing.  "The county and school districts will receive adequate funding to maintain programs without raising local property taxes.  I can’t allow property taxes to continue to go up.  We need to find a different way of funding our schools," Alloway said.    

Senate Bill 1085 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Alloway said that the House of Representatives could pass the bill and send it to the governor’s desk as early as Thursday. 

While Alloway voted for the spending proposal, he voted against House Bill 1531, the tax code bill that included a number of increased taxes. The measure passed 35-14 with Alloway voting no.  Alloway said, "After losing the tax vote, we needed to spend the money wisely".