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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2008
CONTACT:
Carol Maravic
(717) 787-6725
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Budget Op-Ed

As a New Year approaches, most Pennsylvanians are focused on one major issue – our troubled economy.  On a national level, the country is facing record foreclosure rates, higher unemployment, bailouts of major industries and a bear market.

On the state level, Pennsylvania is also facing tough fiscal times.  As we prepare to develop a new budget for the state, we face a revenue shortfall between $1 billion and $2 billion.  And that could get worse if the economy slides further downward.

With the tough economic times here in Pennsylvania and across the nation, one thing is clear. We must be fiscally conservative and responsible in spending now and in the future. We must not look for short-term solutions that could have serious long-term ramifications on the Commonwealth and its citizens.  And we must continue to hold the line on taxes – so that working families and job creators don't face even harder economic times.

As a member of Republican Leadership in the Pennsylvania Senate, I am proud of the fact that we fought over the past two years against tax hikes proposed by the Administration.  We held the line, and succeeded in passing budgets that recognized the fiscal realities of working families and job creators and put money away for a Rainy Day.

That day is now upon us – and we must work closely with the Governor and the House to hold the line on spending, halt any tax increases and stop any costly new programs that could put us in greater financial danger in the years ahead.

We need to sit down, go over all the numbers with an air of transparency and cooperation and develop a fiscally prudent budget that does not take more money out of the pockets of Pennsylvanians already struggling to make ends meet.

The people of Pennsylvania expect the Legislature and the Governor to provide a budget that meets their needs without excessive spending and unnecessary borrowing.  In the weeks and months ahead, we need to heed their advice, and work together to craft a budget that will help our state weather these tough fiscal times and move our economy forward in the years ahead.