Robbins Votes No on State Budget

Harrisburg – State Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) issued the following statement on the 2006-07 state budget, which passed the General Assembly today:

"Last year, I signed onto the Taxpayer Fairness Act, legislation that would limit state budget increases to the rate of inflation. If this were enacted into law, state spending this year could increase by approximately 3.47%. The budget that was voted on today increases spending by at least 5.79%"

"I voted against the budget because it fails to limit spending, and sets Pennsylvania up for some potential trouble down the road. It's not that there aren't things to like. There are many worthy initiatives I support -- several that I fought for that would benefit the 50th Senatorial District. But I feel strongly that we have to enact meaningful legislation limiting spending."

"The spending increase of 5.79 percent is much more than the inflation rate, so the Governor cannot blame increased costs. Worse, the increase is actually closer to eight percent when Medicaid costs are included. The administration is deferring approximately $300 million in Medicaid payments until 2007. It's an accounting maneuver that hides the true cost. My fear is that the administration is setting taxpayers up for a huge bill down the road -- a bill that will require tax increases to pay for."

"Taxpayers have seen this before. In 1990, when Governor Casey was running for re-election, that administration spent money freely. In 1991, taxpayers were hit with billions of dollars in new taxes. I don't want to see that happen again following the current election year. Some will say, 'But, we have a surplus.' Well, the Ridge administration also ran a surplus. Back then, we used it to cut taxes and put money away in the Rainy Day Fund to protect taxpayers from tax hikes when the economy slowed. That is what we should do now. Return this surplus to taxpayers, or increase payments to the Rainy Day Fund. Instead, Governor Rendell wants to spend it. That's why I voted 'no'."

CONTACT:

Mike Hengst
(717) 787-1322