HARRISBURG – June 29th, 2013 – Senator Vincent Hughes released the following statement today after the Pennsylvania Senate voted to pass the Republican budget proposal:

“I’m disappointed that my colleagues in the Senate decided to advance a budget proposal that does not make critical investments needed in the Commonwealth. The Senate Republican budget plan fails to restore the majority of the $1 billion in education funding that was cut by Governor Corbett in the past two years. This is unacceptable. We are facing a statewide education funding crisis in Pennsylvania and the budget passed by the Senate does not address this reality.

“I also believe that the budget passed by the Senate does not adequately address the need for job creation and economic development. There is no funding for any significant job creation programs, including tax credits and economic development. The budget also fails to restore funding to critical job training programs cut by the Corbett Administration. In fact, the GOP budget cuts Keystone Works by $1.5 million, which is the only significant job is training program supported by Gov. Corbett.

“This budget is also not fiscally responsible. It has a $400 million fund balance at the end of the fiscal year, but fails to put anything in the rainy day fund. It also relies on fund transfers from one time revenue to fund basic functions of state government. The budget also fails to close corporate tax loopholes or appropriately tax drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

“This budget simply moves Pennsylvania in the wrong direction. We can do better for the people of the Commonwealth.”

Senator Vincent Hughes represents the 7th Senatorial district and is Democratic Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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