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Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Says New Budget Protects Progress; Stimulates Economy, Invests in EducationHARRISBURG, Pa., July 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - Governor "Even in tough national economic times, this budget shows that
Pennsylvania has the resources and the resilience to keep moving forward,"
Governor Rendell said. "Because we have worked hard over the past five years
to trim the cost of government by "This is a fiscally responsible budget that provides economic stimulus with much-needed capital for community and business development. It will help create thousands of jobs that can't be outsourced and will invest in innovative energy programs that will help us break free from our dependence on foreign sources of oil. "We accomplished these important goals while preserving the Rainy Day Fund and without increasing taxes," the Governor said. "With this budget, Pennsylvania is well positioned for whatever lies ahead." INVESTING IN OUR STUDENTS, PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE The new budget increases funding for education by "This historic funding formula is a major step toward the ultimate goal of providing every child and every school with the resources needed to ensure academic success," Governor Rendell said. "For too long, the quality of education across the commonwealth has been based more on the wealth of the community rather than the potential of the child. "Today, we begin a better way of funding our schools," the Governor said, "a system where fairness is the benchmark." The funding formula will drive additional state resources to each of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts, with every district being guaranteed at least a 3 percent increase in basic education funding. Larger increases will go to those districts identified in the General Assembly's Costing-Out Study as needing additional resources to aid student achievement. "The 2008-09 Education budget not only benefits school districts and the commonwealth's students, but everyPennsylvania homeowner. When the state lives up to its responsibility for education funding, we reduce the pressure on local property tax increases." REBUILDINGPENNSYLVANIA "Building and repairing long-term infrastructure assets - bridges, dams, water lines, sewer systems, airports, railroads and flood mitigation - will keep the commonwealth competitive for decades to come," Governor Rendell said. "By investing more than "Since I took office, we have nearly tripled the amount of money available for bridge contracts," Governor Rendell said. "Funding in this budget will take us even further in our long-standing goal of dramatically cutting the number of structurally deficient bridges inPennsylvania." Despite increased funding,Pennsylvania leads the nation with more than 6,000 structurally deficient bridges, which while safe, are in need of maintenance to avoid being closed or posted with weight restrictions. Under Governor Rendell's Rebuild Pennsylvania program, a combination of
federal and state funds, including Pennsylvania is facing an urgent need to address its drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. These aging systems are plagued by continued combined overflows, leaking and deteriorated collection systems, deferred rehabilitation and replacement work, and a shortage of treatment capacity. The price tag for these unmet needs is staggering. According to a federal
Clean Water Needs Survey,Pennsylvania is facing nearly Making these investments today is critical ifPennsylvania is going to continue growing its economy and providing for the safety, health and welfare of its citizens. Residents and businesses depend on a safe and reliable supply of water. If our infrastructure is allowed to deteriorate, so, too, will Pennsylvania's business climate and quality of life. The budget agreement includes Additionally, thousands of new jobs will be created with the enhancement
of two successful programs that are designed to help businesses grow.
Enhancing the Keystone Opportunity Zones program and CREATING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE As part of the budget process, Governor Rendell worked with legislators to
invest "The only way to secure our energy future is to take steps now that allow Pennsylvania to be more energy efficient and conserve our natural resources," Governor Rendell said. "We cannot reduce our dependence on foreign oil unless we make better use of clean, renewable energy and invest in our own home-grown fuel resources as proposed in the PennSecurity Fuels Initiative. "The legislation that has been passed as part of this year's budget is a first step in addressing those issues. We're making an unprecedented investment to spur development of advanced energy resources that will offer new options to consumers at a time when gasoline, diesel fuel, electricity and natural gas prices are going through the roof." The Governor said he intends to sign bills addressing these issues in the
following days. In total, these measures will invest Additionally,Pennsylvania will increase the use of biofuels in retail
gasoline and diesel fuel by requiring that every gallon of diesel fuel use an
increasing percentage of biodiesel as in-state production levels increase and
reach defined thresholds. Also, gasoline must include at least 10 percent
cellulosic ethanol once production reaches 350 million gallons annually. New
investments will also be made inPennsylvania's biofuel producers; up to "We need to ensure our citizens and businesses have choices, are protected from the volatility of the electricity open market, and have the tools they need to conserve energy to cut costs. I'm committed to working with the legislature throughout the summer to reach agreement on improvements to our current energy policy so that rather than shelling out billions of dollars more in higher electricity bills, we can help consumers save billions of dollars over the next decade." CARING FOR PENNSYLVANIANS "Unlike other states across the nation that are dealing with the prospect of making deep cuts in social welfare programs, this budget will help Pennsylvania to continue to provide for the critical needs ofPennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens," Governor Rendell said. The budget will enablePennsylvania to provide affordable health care coverage for 186,000 children -- an enrollment increase of nearly 11 percent over 2007-08. Additionally, the spending plan will help expand child care services to 2,600 more children and provide assistance to 77,665 developmentally delayed children. Children with autism spectrum disorder and their families will receive
unprecedented new protections to receive the services and treatment they need.
Working with Speaker
Other highlights of the spending plan include:
-- Raising reimbursement rates by $21.7 million ($10.2 million state
funds) to improve access to critical Medical Assistance services,
including home health care services for children, dental care, and
primary care physicians;
-- Serving an additional 2,600 children in the next year by expanding
investments in high quality pre-kindergarten through the Pennsylvania
Pre-K Counts program;
-- Doubling the funding for autism services to adults from $23.4 million
to $46.4 million in state and federal funds;
-- Serving an additional 2,930 children with physical and developmental
disabilities with Early Intervention services; and
-- Serving an additional 2,100 older Pennsylvanians and an additional
1,300 people with disabilities by expanding the availability of
community services.
MANAGING RESOURCES RESPONSIBLY Overall, the new budget increases spending by 3.98 percent compared to
last year. More than 32 percent of the increase in the General Fund budget, or
The commonwealth is leading by example in these challenging economic times
by cutting the cost of running the government and continuing to find new ways
to deliver services more efficiently. Through management and productivity
initiatives, the Rendell administration is saving "This was a tough budget year," Governor Rendell said. "But because of the
strategic, targeted investments we made over the past five years we are in
much better shape than most states," he said, noting that 29 states plus the
District of Columbia faced an estimated "This budget, and the investments in energy, infrastructure and education, continues the progress we have made and create long-term benefits for residents across the state," Governor Rendell said. "But, our work does not end here. "I promise to continue fighting this fall for the important legislation that is needed to provide access to basic health care for working adults, protect residents from electricity rate spikes, and other issues that are important to residents across the state." Graphics, budget highlights and additional details about the 2008-09 state budget are online at www.budget.state.pa.us. The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us. CONTACT: 717-783-1116 SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Tags: ,EDU,HED,OIL,UTI,LEG,POL,PA-Rendell-budget-new _ _    Is your favorite bookmark site missing? Ask for it. |
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