Budget Paints a Dire But Progressive Picture for Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, February 4, 2009 – State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) today said that the 2009-10 state budget paints a dire picture with hundreds of program cuts and decreased spending but he is cautiously optimistic that the plan moves Pennsylvania in the right direction by plugging the $2.3 billion economic hole without new taxes and still invests in our most vulnerable citizens – children, elderly and the poor.

“It is no secret that the state is facing dire economic times and tough economic times require tough decisions,” Hughes said.  “Like other states across the nation, PA is being adversely impacted by the international financial meltdown, but we must not lose sight of our commitment to aiding those in need.  This budget is a solid first step in pulling Pennsylvania out of the mire of the current economic downturn.”

Hughes, a vocal and ardent supporter of providing Pennsylvania’s uninsured with quality health care, said that combined state and federal funding will provide an $800 million increase to healthcare spending.  The total state and federal funding for the adultBasic program is projected to be $251.7 million while the Cover All Kids program will see an increase of $46.2 million.  This increase will cover 206,836 children in 2009-10.

The budget also makes key investments in education with a $300 million boost to state public schools, along with billions in federal monies to assist in school construction, special education and operational funds.

“Our children are a critical part of Pennsylvania’s future success,” Hughes said.  “These funds help school districts continued investment in quality education.”

Hughes said, in order to weather the current economic storm, Pennsylvania must make a commitment to the current year’s budget, but it will take some serious cuts and reevaluation of state programs.  He added that he is concerned about the numerous cuts being made to state programs and is looking forward to reevaluating these cuts when the legislature begins working on the budget. “It is important that we first plug the hole in the current year’s budget,” Hughes said.  “This budget is a good starting point, although it will mean making some hard sacrifices and require all of us to work together in a bipartisan manner.  Most importantly, we need to take a hard look at the proposed cuts to valuable programs to ensure that we are truly doing what is best for the state.”

Hughes said the federal stimulus package being debated in Washington, D.C., is an important part of stabilizing our current budget.  More than $1.2 billion in federal highway and bridge funds plus, another $534 million in state funding through the Rebuild Pennsylvania initiative will immediately provide significant monies into the state’s economy and get more Pennsylvanians back into the workforce.

“These key investments in our infrastructure will not only improve some of our most dilapidated roads and bridges, it will also add to our workforce,” Hughes said.  “Our commitment to our people remains strong.”

Hughes said that the most important thing is that Pennsylvanians already struggling with economic hardships not be burdened any further than absolutely necessary.

“Our citizens are looking to us for relief from economic stress,” Hughes said.  “It is our duty as their representatives to ensure that they are well taken care of as we move toward a future of complete economic stability.”

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