FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2008
Contact:
David Atkinson
(717) 787-6535
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Remarks by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman
 Senator Gib Armstrong on Passage of Senate Budget Bill

This is only a starting budget.  But it is a reasonable and responsible start.   

It is a budget in balance, as well as can be done without knowing the final revenue number the Administration will set.   

It is a budget that cuts back from what Governor Rendell proposed in February, because revenues will fall several hundred million dollars short of his prediction.   

It is a budget that does not reflect anyone’s full set of priorities, whether those would be for program expansions, spending cuts, or tax reductions.   

It is a budget that does not contain many favored items that have been part of previous budgets. 

It is a budget that does not use one-time revenues to prop up spending, because spending money in such a way this year would surely aggravate what shapes up as a serious problem next year.   

It is a budget where enough money is directed toward education to make sure every school district receives a sizable increase over last year, although the overall spend is not what the Governor requested and the distribution formula must still be negotiated. 

Most states confront budget woes more serious than ours.  But we also know from experience that Pennsylvania’s recovery from economic troubles tends to be slower.  Given that track record, we cannot responsibly build this budget on wishful thinking and hope for a robust economic rebound and a revenue miracle next year. 

So this is not a year where we can afford to satisfy spending requests, make commitments to new programs and expensive program expansions, or rely on gimmicks to push tough decisions into next year.  This budget may not be politically pretty or popular with groups who seek more from state government.  But it moves the process forward, an important consideration as the deadline approaches, and it does so in a way meant to prevent a budget crisis next year. 

Thank you to members on both sides, whether they are voting “yes” or “no” today, for your cooperation in a constructive step toward a final budget.