State Capitol Roundup for June 5

Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147):

Budget Deadline Looms With Little Progress

Another week of House session has come and gone with no action on the 2009-10 State Budget. Currently, the General Assembly has two drastically different proposals in the House Appropriations Committee-the $27.3 billion Senate-passed proposal (Senate Bill 850) and the House Democrats' $29 billion plan (House Bill 1416) to increase spending to the tune of $700 million. Figures released this week showed that May tax revenues were down more than expected, leading officials to revise projections for the budget deficit to $3.2 billion. With less than a month left before the June 30 deadline, Republican lawmakers are urging their colleagues to get the process underway and engage in serious discussions about reining in government spending and avoiding massive tax increases. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "state budget news."

House Republicans Concerned About Unaffordable Health Care Bill

Legislation voted out of the House Insurance Committee seeks to expand a government-run, one-size-fits-all approach to the health care industry at taxpayers' expense. Under House Bill 1, the state's AdultBasic program would use federal funds to augment state funding for an unprecedented expansion of state-run health care despite a $3.2 billion fiscal crisis. If passed, the legislation would also impose new taxes on health insurance premiums. Despite numerous unanswered questions and requests for hearings on the long-term effects of the proposal, the legislation was strong-armed out of the committee in a party-line vote. House Republicans are committed to improving Pennsylvanians' access to health care by making it more affordable and keeping patients and their doctors-rather than bureaucrats-in charge of their health care decisions, all without the need for a tax increase. For more information, visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "health care."

Education Funding Legislation Will Lead to Future Tax Increases

Republican members of the House Education Committee voted in favor of greater fiscal accountability and efficiency this week when they opposed an unaffordable education funding bill for the 2009-10 school year. The proposal would cost nearly $6 billion to implement and derives a great deal of funding from one-time, federal stimulus funds. When that money runs out, Pennsylvania families will face significant tax increases to fill the billion-dollar funding hole. House Republicans are committed to public education and to protecting taxpayers from further burdens by ensuring state government is living within its means. Despite concerns raised by both Republicans and Democrats, the bill was approved by a party-line vote.