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Senate Budget Plan Restores Funding for Education, Social ServicesHARRISBURG – Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-13) supported Senate passage of a budget plan today that restores vital funding for social services and education without raising taxes. Senate Bill 1466 restores $84 million of the governor's proposed cuts to social and health services, including $20 million for programs targeted to individuals with intellectual disabilities. "Over the past several months, I have held numerous meetings and discussions with families, providers, county officials and state officials to get a better understanding of the importance of these services for our most vulnerable citizens. Our communities receive a tremendous benefit from the high level of service offered, and the need to protect these services is clear," Smucker said. The budget plan also restored funding for state-related universities and schools in the State System of Higher Education. The bill restores $82.5 million for the State System of Higher Education, $147 million for state-related universities and $10 million for community colleges. Additional funding over the governor's original proposal was included for basic education, Accountability Block Grants and early childhood education programs. The Senate budget allocates an additional $132 million for public schools. Due to an improving fiscal outlook for the state next year, the restorations were possible without the need for a tax increase. Revenue collections have been higher than the governor's original projections for several consecutive months. | |
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