Mellow Praises Senate for On-time
Budget That Prioritizes Education
Spending Plan Also Continues Commitment to Community
Development
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 funding with
no broad-based tax increases.
“I am ecstatic that a budget which still funds vital
programs with no tax increase has passed the Senate
before the July 1 deadline,” said Mellow. “It is
bittersweet though because this marks my last budget
negotiation process.”
The budget provides a $250 million increase in the basic
education subsidy. “We really dug in to uphold our
commitment to Pennsylvania school children which is no
small feat during the recession which has forced
surrounding states to make cuts that have proven to be
absolutely devastating,” continued Mellow.
The spending plan also 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 contains
significant funding for capital projects for the State
System of Higher Education, investments in community
colleges, as well as funding for The Commonwealth
Medical College.
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.
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