Harrisburg, December 16 — Immediately following the Governor’s mid-year budget report, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa and Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes reiterated their priorities as the legislature prepares for a new term and what promises to be a difficult budget process next year.

Costa and Hughes stressed the need to make wise choices which protect the Commonwealth, especially in light of the reductions which the governor reported have already been made. The first priority in dealing with the looming $4.5 billion deficit must be protecting and creating jobs.

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