North Lancaster News

HARRISBURG – The Lancaster GOP House Delegation joined the majority of their colleagues today in voting in favor of a budget that will fully fund schools and maintain government services for residents, addressing the severe economic constraints facing the Commonwealth. The current administration has been criticized for spending more money than the Commonwealth receives in revenue.

The delegation, consisting of House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) and Representatives Mindy Fee (R-Manheim), Keith J. Greiner (R-Upper Leacock), Dave Hickernell (R-West Donegal), Brett Miller (R-East Hempfield), Steve Mentzer (R-Lititz), and Dave Zimmerman (R-East Earl), issued a statement outlining key aspects of the budget:

“First and foremost, this budget plans for the future by saving $2.52 billion so the Commonwealth can continue to function as it should for the people of Pennsylvania and to offset any decreased revenue in the coming years."

“For our schools, House Republicans again increased basic education funding – this year by $300 million for a historic amount of $7.1 billion. And, since at any given point in time there are roughly 6,000 open manufacturing positions in Pennsylvania, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19, we allocated $44 million of federal relief funds for career and technical schools. These are great career jobs that are family-sustaining and many of our students end up choosing this path after high school, some even before."

“There should also be choice in education for students whose schools are failing them or just don’t fit their needs. That is why this budget increases the Educational Improvement Tax Credit to $225 million, an additional $40 million or a 22% increase."

“As agriculture remains Pennsylvania’s and Lancaster County’s No. 1 economic driver, we continue our support maintaining funding for key operational and research needs, in addition to increasing the PA State Food Purchase Program with an additional $3 million."

“Language is included in the Fiscal Code to prevent the Department of Human Services from creating new programs that are not expressly authorized or funded by the General Assembly. Continued cost overruns at the Department of Health have placed pressure on our budgets and it needs to stop."

“And without raising taxes, this budget also provides $279 million in federal funds for infrastructure projects that will serve the people of Pennsylvania today and well into the future.”

Lancaster County House Republican Delegation

Pennsylvania House of Representatives