Statement of Senator Bob Robbins

Passage of Senate Bill 850

"The options facing the Commonwealth are simple. The harsh reality is Pennsylvania is facing a $3 billion revenue shortfall by the end of the current fiscal year. We either cut spending to reflect the current economic climate in Pennsylvania or we raise taxes and I haven’t heard one compelling reason in favor of raising taxes. That tactic was tried in 1991 during a milder recession and we ended up losing jobs as a result. It is truly regrettable that many good, worthwhile programs and services will see reductions or elimination of their state funding under Senate Bill 850. However, we have to make a fundamental choice as to whether we want to cut spending and speed up our state recovery or raise taxes and mortgage Pennsylvania’s economic future. I and a majority of my colleagues agreed that the only real option was to reduce state spending."

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322