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Hanna offers views on budget

LOCK HAVEN – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, offered final thoughts on what was “another difficult year financially.”

Another potential battle loomed, but it ended with Gov. Tom Wolf signing off on passage of a nearly $1.3 billion tax and revenue package Wednesday, needed to balance the $31.5 billion state budget passed nearly two weeks ago.

The passage of the negotiated, conference committee report came on a strong bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, 116-75. The tax and revenue plan was supported by 68 Democrats and 48 Republicans.

That was quickly followed by a 28-22 vote in the Pennsylvania Senate, with 14 yes votes from both Republicans and Democrats.

According to Rep. Hanna, the election-year plan raises slightly more than $750 million in net new state taxes and revenues, nearly $495 million of that attributable to a 62.5 percent increase in the state’s $1.60-per-pack cigarette tax, to $2.60 per pack.

“Being able to come together to produce a commonsense budget that includes important new investments in education, funding for human services, provides for 180 new Pennsylvania State Police troopers across the state and incorporates a significant public health and safety initiative to combat our heroin epidemic is encouraging,” Hanna said.

“This responsible approach will pay the state’s bills while protecting Pennsylvania’s credit rating.”

Hanna said the spending plan passed on June 30 included $200 million for basic education, $30 million for Pre-K and Head Start and a $20 million increase for Special Education. It also included a 2.5 percent increase in higher education spending for both Lock Haven and Penn State Universities.

“As it relates to education funding, we have taken another huge step towards restoring the devastating cuts made by the previous administration,” said Hanna. “While the past two budget cycles have not been easy, the General Assembly has worked together to restore the significant decreases in education funding that crippled many schools and raised property taxes throughout the state. I am proud to stand behind these educational increases.”

Hanna said broad-based taxes such as sales tax and personal income taxes were taken off the table and not included in the final plan, which raised $1.3 billion in new revenue.

“I have always been a huge proponent of property tax reform and will continue to push for such reform,” Hanna said. “However, because a property tax reduction or elimination proposal was not going to be included in this budget, I pushed Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders to reconsider the inclusion of broad-based tax increases. Today we had a revenue package in front of us that raised enough money without having to increase sales or personal income taxes.”

Hanna said the budget also includes a provision to address a problem that is hindering the state’s ability to invest in transportation infrastructure. Investing in our state’s transportation infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to boost our economy, add jobs and remain competitive with regards to tourism and trade. Right now some 75 percent of the state police budget is paid for out of the state’s Motor License Fund, which by law is required to be used to pay for road and bridge repairs. This budget includes language requiring the state to gradually place a cap totaling $500 million on the amount of money that can be taken from the fund for the State Police operating budget.

“Transportation enhancements and expansions can act as a catalyst for economic activity,” said Hanna. “So while I wish this appropriation cap would occur during this current fiscal year, I am happy to see that we are moving in the right direction.”

Hanna offers views on budget

LOCK HAVEN – State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, offered final thoughts on what was “another difficult year financially.”

Another potential battle loomed, but it ended with Gov. Tom Wolf signing off on passage of a nearly $1.3 billion tax and revenue package Wednesday, needed to balance the $31.5 billion state budget passed nearly two weeks ago.

The passage of the negotiated, conference committee report came on a strong bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, 116-75. The tax and revenue plan was supported by 68 Democrats and 48 Republicans.

That was quickly followed by a 28-22 vote in the Pennsylvania Senate, with 14 yes votes from both Republicans and Democrats.

According to Rep. Hanna, the election-year plan raises slightly more than $750 million in net new state taxes and revenues, nearly $495 million of that attributable to a 62.5 percent increase in the state’s $1.60-per-pack cigarette tax, to $2.60 per pack.

“Being able to come together to produce a commonsense budget that includes important new investments in education, funding for human services, provides for 180 new Pennsylvania State Police troopers across the state and incorporates a significant public health and safety initiative to combat our heroin epidemic is encouraging,” Hanna said.

“This responsible approach will pay the state’s bills while protecting Pennsylvania’s credit rating.”

Hanna said the spending plan passed on June 30 included $200 million for basic education, $30 million for Pre-K and Head Start and a $20 million increase for Special Education. It also included a 2.5 percent increase in higher education spending for both Lock Haven and Penn State Universities.

“As it relates to education funding, we have taken another huge step towards restoring the devastating cuts made by the previous administration,” said Hanna. “While the past two budget cycles have not been easy, the General Assembly has worked together to restore the significant decreases in education funding that crippled many schools and raised property taxes throughout the state. I am proud to stand behind these educational increases.”

Hanna said broad-based taxes such as sales tax and personal income taxes were taken off the table and not included in the final plan, which raised $1.3 billion in new revenue.

“I have always been a huge proponent of property tax reform and will continue to push for such reform,” Hanna said. “However, because a property tax reduction or elimination proposal was not going to be included in this budget, I pushed Gov. Wolf and legislative leaders to reconsider the inclusion of broad-based tax increases. Today we had a revenue package in front of us that raised enough money without having to increase sales or personal income taxes.”

Hanna said the budget also includes a provision to address a problem that is hindering the state’s ability to invest in transportation infrastructure. Investing in our state’s transportation infrastructure is one of the most important things we can do to boost our economy, add jobs and remain competitive with regards to tourism and trade. Right now some 75 percent of the state police budget is paid for out of the state’s Motor License Fund, which by law is required to be used to pay for road and bridge repairs. This budget includes language requiring the state to gradually place a cap totaling $500 million on the amount of money that can be taken from the fund for the State Police operating budget.

“Transportation enhancements and expansions can act as a catalyst for economic activity,” said Hanna. “So while I wish this appropriation cap would occur during this current fiscal year, I am happy to see that we are moving in the right direction.”

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