DiSanto Supports Responsible Interim Budget

Harrisburg – State Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) today voted in favor of a $25.8 billion interim budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. The five month spending plan, House Bill 2387, allows for more certainty about actual state tax revenues following the peak of the COVID-19 crisis.

“We decided on a five month, rather than full year, budget because state tax revenues are highly uncertain as a result of the massive disruption COVID-19 and the Governor’s business closures and stay-at-home orders have had on our economy” DiSanto said. “This lean budget reflects the immense challenges our Commonwealth is facing—especially for the more than two million Pennsylvanians out of work.”

“As I said when I voted against the first budget adopted after I became a state senator, I have never bought anything without knowing how I would pay for it, and I’m not going to start now,” stated DiSanto. “This no-tax-increase interim budget is a responsible step forward that gives us the flexibility to reexamine our appropriations later in the year when the state’s revenue picture becomes clearer.”

The interim budget provides 5/12th of last year’s budget amounts for the state to continue providing important services until December. However, education and food programs, as well as mandated payments for pensions and debt service, will be funded for the full year to ensure these long-standing and essential commitments are kept.

 “I wanted to send a strong message to our students, parents, and teachers that our schools remain a top priority and will be fully funded and supported in the upcoming school year,” DiSanto said. “Over the next several months my colleagues and I will be monitoring the economic environment closely to make the best informed decisions about how we finalize the remainder of the budget. I will continue fighting to ensure the final budget that is passed is one Pennsylvanians can afford and contains no tax increases.”

The interim budget now advances to the Governor for his signature.

CONTACT: Chuck Erdman cerdman@pasen.gov (717) 787-6801

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