DePasquale reacts to governor's budget address  
Governor Rendell addressed the General Assembly today to share his budget for fiscal year 2010-11

Governor Rendell addressed the General Assembly today to share his budget for fiscal year 2010-11.
 
Pennsylvania begins this budget season significantly below the national unemployment level. While unemployment is too high and the middle class continues to face severe challenges from the national recession, the lower Pennsylvania level does reflect that we may have weathered the storm better than most other states. Most states have had to raise broad-based taxes these last two years. Pennsylvania avoided this while we were the only state in the nation to increase education funding.
 
In fact, due to the tough choices we made in last year’s budget, The Wall Street Journal reported that Pennsylvania is the only state in the northeast and only industrial state in the nation that is fiscally sound.  Many southern states, such as South Carolina are now facing double digit unemployment. Pennsylvania’s revenue is 2 percent below prediction while Alaska, for example, is over 50 percent off of their prediction.
 
Governor Rendell's budget address today was his final as governor. Unlike Washington, Pennsylvania is required to have a balanced budget. The balanced budget plan reflects the challenges we face as we are hopefully coming out of the national recession and the need for us to continue confronting tough choices and making wise investments.  The proposed spending plan focuses on education, alternative energy and health care. 
 
The continued investment in education remains a high priority. Because of our increased investments, Pennsylvania now leads the nation in academic progress. I support the governor's goal to continue these efforts – a well-educated work force is essential for our economic recovery and growth. This year's projected budget calls for $12.3 billion – or 42 percent – for education funding. Pennsylvania is also the only state in the nation to show improvement in reading and math at every grade level.
 
Though we've made significant strides in making Pennsylvania a leader in energy independence, in order to stay competitive, we need to raise our alternative energy requirements when the current alternative energy portfolio standards act expires. This increase and extension will enhance our security and our economy. Already, the investments we have made in alternative energy have had a positive impact on Pennsylvania. My legislation, the Alternative Energy Investment Act and the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act have led Pew Research to rank Pennsylvania third nationally in alternative energy jobs behind California and Texas.  Enhancing these acts will further strengthen this segment of the economy.  
 
The looming issue of the 2001 pension increase legislation is also ahead of us. A potential deficit of $5.6 billion is at stake. I fully believe a bipartisan solution to this problem is the only way – and I look forward to working with my fellow lawmakers to determine that solution.
 
I also recognize that all of us let you down last year by the budget delay. I pledge to work as hard as possible this year to ensure we do not repeat that mistake. As a member of the Appropriations Committee we have begun our hearings already – the earliest any budget hearing has been held in the history of Pennsylvania.

From the desk of Rep. Eugene DePasquale
 
Rep. DePasquale will keep you updated as budget negotiations progress. For more information about this or any other state-related matter, please contact him: http://www.pahouse.com/DePasquale/contact.asp.
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