By Stanley Saylor (R-York), chairman,
Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee 

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 850, its state budget plan for fiscal year 2009-10.  The plan reflects the fact that Pennsylvania is facing a $3 billion budget shortfall and some very difficult decisions will have to be made if we are going to weather this crisis without new and increased taxes on Pennsylvania’s families and businesses. 

In January, Gov. Ed Rendell said we will all have to tighten our belts to make it through this crisis.  Unfortunately, the budget proposal he offered does not reflect his tough talk.  The governor would increase state spending by $1.2 billion and he is relying on new taxes and billions of dollars in one-time revenues and short-term fixes to pay for it. 

Rather than passing a huge financial burden on to taxpayers, the Senate has passed a plan that recognizes the fiscal realities our Commonwealth is facing.  Senators did what thousands of Pennsylvania families do every day:  they took a sober look at state spending and made the tough decision to suspend funding for certain programs because there is simply no money to pay for them.  To follow any other path would ultimately mean a major tax increase on Pennsylvania families and the businesses which create jobs in our Commonwealth. 

The program suspensions in SB 850 do not favor one agency or constituency over another.  Every state agency – including the General Assembly – will see funding reductions under the Senate plan.  That means programs near and dear to each of us will have to feel the pinch.  This is the kind of shared sacrifice we will all have to accept if we are to avoid substantial tax increases.  It is the kind of shared sacrifice the governor talked about but chose not to implement in his budget plan. 

Despite these program suspensions, Pennsylvania’s school districts will not be neglected.  Under SB 850, funding will be maintained at 2008-09 levels for every school district in the Commonwealth.  With the addition of federal stimulus dollars, Pennsylvania’s school districts – including every district here in York County -- will actually see an increase in funding next year. 

We do not have to look too deeply into Pennsylvania history to see what can happen if we follow any other course.  In 1991, Pennsylvania was facing a budget deficit.  To deal with the problem, the General Assembly elected to impose the largest tax increase on working families and businesses in Pennsylvania history.  We are still feeling the negative effects of that decision today.   

 At a time when Pennsylvania families are struggling to make ends meet, they cannot afford to send more of their hard-earned money to Harrisburg.  Likewise, at a time when Pennsylvania is facing growing unemployment, we cannot afford to make it any less attractive for businesses to stay here.  That means that as lawmakers, we have to make some very difficult decisions about how we spend the money we have. 

This will not be an easy vote for anyone to cast, but it is absolutely necessary if we are going to protect Pennsylvania’s families and job creators from an even higher tax burden.  The Senate budget clearly recognizes that reality.  It is my sincere hope that my colleagues in the House will show the same courage as we consider the budget plans before us. 

To add your voice to those opposing a tax increase in the new state budget, please visit my Web site at RepSaylor.com and click on the “No Representation for Increased Taxation” button. 

Rep. Stanley Saylor
94th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 244-9232
(717) 783-6426
www.RepSaylor.com
Contact:  Sean L. Yeakle
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 787-3406
www.pahousegop.com