Causer Supports Adoption of 2014-15 State Budget

HARRISBURG – Working to keep spending in check, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) today voted in favor of a 2014-15 state budget that includes no new taxes and limits spending to less than a 2 percent increase over the last fiscal year.

View Rep. Causer’s comments here: http://youtu.be/9yn-v2SA9OM

“The economy continues to be sluggish, and people simply can’t afford to pay more in taxes to their government,” Causer said. “With fewer dollars available to spend, the Legislature must prioritize core services, such as education, public safety and health care. I believe the taxpayers benefit when government is forced to live within its means.”

The $29.09 billion spending plan includes more state funding for public education than ever before at $10.5 billion. Special education funding gets a $20 million increase, the first such increase in six years. Also included is $200 million in funding for the Ready to Learn Block Grant Program, which gives school districts more flexibility to invest the money where they see the greatest need.

Higher education funding is mostly level with the current year’s budget, including $2.3 million for the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

To boost public safety, the budget includes additional funding for more state police troopers, and to support health care in rural areas, designated critical access hospitals will receive more than $7 million.

House Bill 2328 now goes to the governor for his signature. For more information about the budget, visit www.RepCauser.com.