Stout Urges Legislature to Work Together on Budget

HARRISBURG, July 20, 2009 – State Sen. J. Barry Stout (D-Washington/Greene/Allegheny/Beaver/Westmoreland)
today urged legislative colleagues to work together on crafting a state budget that is fair and helps Pennsylvania citizens navigate an excruciatingly difficult budget year.

“We need put aside partisan differences and move quickly on passing a reasonable state spending plan that meets the needs of all Pennsylvania,” Stout said. “Unfortunately, this plan fails to deliver in several important program areas and may cause hardship for far too many.”

Stout voted against the Republican plan because he said it comes up short on funding public services, public education, health care and community and economic development.

“I am hopeful that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, as well as in the House, will come together soon on a budget for Pennsylvania that is equitable,” Stout said. “We all understand that this is a difficult year, but we must not pass a bill that will force local school districts and municipalities to increase taxes because we don’t properly fund state responsibilities.”

Due to the deep national recession and declining tax revenues, Pennsylvania faces a revenue shortfall of $3.2 billion.
House Bill 1416, with Senate Republican amendments, cleared the Senate in a largely party line vote. The bill now returns to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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