Jun. 30, 2017
HARRISBURG – Rep. Paul Schemel (R-Franklin) today cast a no vote on the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017-18, which passed in the House of Representative by a count of 173-27.
House Bill 218 now goes to Gov. Tom Wolf for consideration.
Schemel issued the following statement regarding the spending bill, which totals $32 billion:
“Although I appreciate the work of the leaders who negotiated this budget proposal in good faith, I voted ‘no’ on the measure. Pennsylvanians are well aware of the fact that last year’s budget missed the mark and landed the Commonwealth in a substantial deficit.
“The budget spending package passed by the House today increases spending even more than last year and relies on borrowed money to pay for it. What will we do in 15-20 years when that loan is due, together with the unfunded pension obligation that is mounting every day?
“Although I respect those among my colleagues who voted in favor of this plan because they believed that it was the best that we could accomplish working in a bipartisan fashion, I maintain that our shortsightedness today has encumbered Pennsylvania with even more unsustainable debt.”
The House is expected to return next week to complete the technical aspects of the budget, as well as finalize the necessary revenue sources.
Representative Paul Schemel
90th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
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