Senator Lloyd Smucker Responds to Rendell Visit to Fulton Elementary

Statement by Senator Lloyd Smucker about the state budget and education funding:

Without question, there are good things happening in our public schools, and some exciting developments underway. This should not be a surprise, because Pennsylvania taxpayers are investing a lot of money each year to bolster classroom instruction and to bring about student achievement. Good things will continue to take place in our schools, even in the absence of the big spending increase that Governor Rendell is recommending.

The effort to control state spending and balance the state budget without a tax increase is not anti-education. Rather, it is respectful of the wishes of the majority of Pennsylvania taxpayers.

The huge budget deficit now confronting Pennsylvania, while creating difficulties for every entity and program depending on state dollars, is also the chance to control state and streamline state government.

In 1991, Pennsylvania tried the budget approach the Governor is pushing – hiking state taxes and increasing state spending during a recession. It was a huge setback for job creation and economic competitiveness. Some of the problems blamed for Pennsylvania’s lackluster economic performance in recent years trace back to those dreadful 1991 miscalculations.

This is the wrong time to raise state taxes. I do not support Governor Rendell’s tax plans or his spending increases that would drive up state taxes.

Contact:

David Atkinson
(717) 787-6535