Robbins: Senate Approves Budget Restoring Medicaid Funds, Boosting Education

Harrisburg – The state Senate has approved a state budget for fiscal year 2005-06 restoring nearly $145 million in Medicaid funding and increasing state support for education, agriculture and public safety initiatives, according to Senator Bob Robbins (R-50).

"This budget holds the line on taxes and restores Medicaid funding that could have put an enormous strain on local health care providers," said Robbins.

Robbins said the nearly $24.3 billion budget uses surplus revenue from the 2004-05 fiscal year and projected savings to restore funding for medical assistance services, shore up the financial prospects for hospitals and medical institutions, continue black fly eradication programs, provide money to hire additional State Troopers and increase state support for education.

The budget allocates an additional $131.7 million (3 percent) over last year for basic education for a total of $4.49 billion. Each school district is guaranteed a 2 percent minimum in basic education subsidies with additional funding for smaller districts.

An additional $21.1 million (2.5 percent) over last year is allocated for Special Education for a total of $875.6 million. Community College funding is increased by $21 million (9.1 percent) to a total of more than $252 million for FY 2005-06.

The Budget, House Bill 815, also provides $14.8 million in money from the General Fund and Motor License Fund to provide for an increase in complement of 180 State Troopers and necessary vehicles to improve public safety and homeland security efforts in the Commonwealth.

Other highlights of the budget:

· Restored $1.8 million in proposed cuts to the Pennsylvania Agricultural Fairs program.

· Increased Library funding by $2 million above the Governor's budget proposal.

· Preserved $2.2 million in funding for the Science and Motion program, in which college science equipment is made available to local schools.

· Includes $4.4 million for Black Fly Eradication efforts, a program the Governor cut from his proposed budget.

· Provides an additional $3 million for community Senior Centers.

· Restored funding to a number of other key areas including: Crop Insurance and Plum Pox Eradication under the Department of Agriculture; the New Choices/New Options program; the Access to Jobs program and transportation programs for veterans and the disabled; and, the Civil Air Patrol and several community development/job creation programs.

"The Governor proposed some significant cuts to some important programs, but fortunately increasing revenues allowed the General Assembly to prevent these cuts, while keeping taxes in check," said Robbins.

CONTACT: Mike Hengst (717) 787-1322