Senator Robbins Statement on House Bill 1416

Senator Bob Robbins (R-50) issued the following statement upon Senate passage of an amended version of House Bill 1416, the House budget proposal.

"The passage of HB 1416 is a step forward in that we now have one bill that has been considered by both chambers of the General Assembly, even though there remains a significant philosophical difference how best to address Pennsylvania's budget crisis."

"House Bill 1416, as it was sent to the Senate included an unsustainable increase in state spending even as it removed funding for higher education and student aid. The amendment approved today by the Senate restored higher education funding and reduced overall spending to a responsible level without raising taxes."

"Senate Republicans are trying to resolve the impasse. The Senate previously sent the House a budget bill on May 6. On July 17th the House passed their version of a budget and sent it to the Senate. The Senate worked through the weekend, amended the bill and returned to the House for their consideration. We want a budget as quickly as possible, but not at the expense of substantial tax increases and the major increase in spending that came with the House's original version of House Bill 1416."

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322