Local Lawmakers: It's Time To Cut Spending

"We've got to reduce our spending, especially if this trend continues on the same track or gets worse in the spring," said Pennsylvania Sen. John Pippy (R-Moon). "Our overall economy is down. Spending is down, buying is down. Sales tax is down, and with job losses our state revenues are down. This is the second year of the downturn in our economy.

"I commend the governor on the tough cuts he's made so far, but we need to look to further reductions because a tax increase isn't something I would consider. I would also oppose any increase in the state's fuel tax. We've weathered this better than many of the larger states in the union. And I am happy we pushed to maintain the rainy day fund, so that it has grown to $750 million. It helps, but we have to look further at duplications in programming and make those cuts too," Pippy said.

Pennsylvania Rep Matt Smith (D-Mt. Lebanon) said he opposes tax increases in this economy and advocates elimination of most if not all of the $200 million accumulated in the legislative surplus.

The "rainy day" and "legislative" surplus funds are not the same. The legislative surplus has an additional $200 million, and has accumulated over a 10 to-15-year period, Smith said.

Link: www.thealmanac.net/ALM/Story/12-31-PA-budget-sidebar