Costa Touts Education and Community Development Commitment in State Budget
Measure goes to House for Passage Before July 1 Deadline

HARRISBURG, June 30, 2010 – Living up to priorities which Senate Democrats laid out in February, the 2010-2011 Pennsylvania state budget maintains a commitment to vital education and economic development funding with no broad-based tax increases.

Democratic Appropriations Committee Chairman Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), along with his Democratic colleagues, has been urging fellow lawmakers to construct a smart budget that eliminates wasteful spending but continues the forward momentum Pennsylvania has achieved in education.

The budget provides a $250 million increase in the basic education subsidy to continue the commitment made to Pennsylvania schools and funds essential economic development programs to provide jobs for Pennsylvania families.

“The economy made the process very challenging, and this budget reflects the difficult times we face,” Costa said. “The legislature was forced to make difficult cuts, but compromise prevailed. I am proud we were able to stand up for those principles important to us in order to continue making gains when it comes to educating our children. It’s the only way to protect them and our commonwealth from future economic downturns.”

The spending plan supports essential economic development programs, including $600 million in new Redevelopment Assistance Capital spending to revitalize local communities and spur new business growth. Funding for jobs programs and training is also included.

The budget approved by the Senate also maintains our commitment to higher education and provides the needed funding for our colleges and community colleges across the commonwealth.

The $28.05 billion plan reduced the Governor’s spending proposal by nearly $1 billion and held the line on budget reductions which could have been detrimental to vulnerable populations.

“We were able to push back on some of the reductions being proposed that would have meant more hardship for those who are struggling in this economy. While this budget requires all departments across state government to make painful sacrifices, protecting the people who are already fighting to get by was a priority for us throughout the process,” Costa said.