For Immediate Release
September 22, 2009
Contact: Todd Nyquist
(717) 787-7084
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Taxpayers Protected in Budget Agreement 

WARREN—As details of the budget progress, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati continues to be pleased with the overall general budget agreement. 

"At the end of the day, it came down to taxpayers being protected, and the final agreement represents a budget that will not raise your personal income tax or the sales tax," Scarnati stated.  "Given the economic downturn that faces, not only this Commonwealth, but the country as well, I believe this is a sound, solid budget." 

Scarnati mentioned that specific line-items in the budget are still being determined, but he expects the final package to be ready in the coming days.  Senators are due back in session on Wednesday to examine the final budget information. 

"When each legislator takes a look at the budget they will recognize that everyone did not get what they wanted, but that it does meet our core principles in this budget process," Scarnati added.  "There are no broad-based taxes, the budget spends less than it did last year, and it is sustainable.  Those were our goals going into these negotiations and they were met." 

"With the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Senate Republicans felt that people could not afford to have more money taken out of their paychecks and could not afford to spend more in sales tax," Scarnati said.  "With that said, we worked closely with most of the other caucuses and the Governor to negotiate a final budget where the taxpayers of Pennsylvania were protected." 

The only caucus not represented in final discussions was the House Republicans, who declined involvement due to various disagreements.  The other caucuses and the Administration met in a bi-partisan, civil manner throughout the final days and came up with an agreement. 

"It is unfortunate that they chose not to be involved, but when you are dealing with a Democrat-controlled House and a Democrat Governor, there has to be a certain amount of cooperation involved," Scarnati stated.  "Given those dynamics, and that the only real difference in opinion is that we chose to fund our rural schools at a higher level to offset property tax increases, many members of the House Republicans will see the merit in this budget.  They too should see that this is a taxpayer-friendly budget and vote accordingly." 

"I fully expect final passage of the current budget agreement and we can move forward in making Pennsylvania a better place to live and work," Scarnati concluded.  "My only regret is that it was not completed on time, but I believe we got it right."