Senate Approves State Budget to Boost Funding for
Schools and Libraries, Add Troopers
Harrisburg – The State Senate early Sunday approved a compromise
$22.8 billion budget package for Fiscal Year 2004-05 that includes
funding increases for education and mental health and drug and alcohol
services, and allocates more money for libraries and State Police,
according to State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50), who voted for the
fiscal plan. The Budget bill is expected to be approved by the House
of Representatives and signed into law by the Governor.
"Revenues came in at $637 million over projections for the 2003-04
fiscal year, and the improved fiscal outlook allowed us to address
some pressing areas in the budget," said Robbins. "This budget plan
boosts assistance in vital programs in a fiscally responsible manner,
one that holds the line on taxes."
The most significant increases are in the education budget. The
budget includes a 3.6 percent increase in basic education for a
proposed total of $4.36 billion. Special Education subsidies would
increase by 2.7 percent to $929 million. House Bill 2579 set funding
for Pennsylvania Accountability Grants for tutors and other assistance
at $200 million
