Nov. 20, 2020
HARRISBURG – Rep. Jack Rader (R-Monroe) joined a majority of his House colleagues in passing a state budget for the remainder of the 2020-21 fiscal year. Due to the uncertainty of state revenues resulting from the pandemic, the General Assembly enacted a spending plan in May that covered the first five months of the fiscal year that also fully funded education.
The spending and fiscal code bills approved today would fund the core functions of state government through the end of the fiscal year in June without any tax increases or public borrowing.
Rader issued the following statement after the vote:
“With no tax hikes or additional debt, this budget is positive news for Pennsylvania taxpayers and the state’s bottom line at a time of great financial uncertainty. There is bipartisan support for this spending plan, which shows we can all work together in the best interests of the Commonwealth and its citizens.
“We ensured that public health and safety workers on the front lines of the pandemic received the funding needed to do their jobs, which are so critical to our continued response to the virus. This budget also fully funds the programs that protect the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens.
“The budget is balanced and actually spends 2% less than last year, which we were able to accomplish by transferring money from a number of special funds, including the Rainy Day Fund, created for just such a purpose.
“I believe the 2020-21 budget builds a solid financial foundation as Pennsylvania continues down the long road of recovery that lies ahead.”
Rader noted that the governor is expected to sign the budget bills into law.
Representative Jack Rader
176th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives