State Rep. Doyle Heffley | Pennsylvania 122nd Legislative District
State Rep. Doyle Heffley | Pennsylvania 122nd Legislative District
State Representative Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) has issued a statement regarding the $47.6 billion state budget for the fiscal year 2024-25. The statement addresses concerns over delayed budget negotiations and the financial implications of the proposed budget.
“For the second year in a row, the state’s June 30 budget deadline has passed without a deal. House Democrats did not present a budget bill until the second week of July, which left us with little time for negotiation. This isn’t what the folks back home elected us to do,” Heffley stated.
Heffley expressed concern about the spending levels in the new budget and its reliance on one-time funds for recurring programs. “The budget spends far too much taxpayer money and continues the dangerous trend of operating in a structural deficit, spending more than we take in. We’re funding recurring programs with one-time funds, risking the depletion of the surplus and Rainy Day Fund that we’ve built up as a buffer for economic emergencies.”
Highlighting potential future risks, Heffley added, “Looking at the numbers, Pennsylvania’s budget surplus could vanish within two fiscal years, leaving us vulnerable. The purpose of the surplus and Rainy Day Fund is to protect the future of Pennsylvania. Instead, Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats are only looking at spending today, without regard for the future.”
Heffley also criticized new programs introduced by Governor Josh Shapiro's administration: “Like I said in February after the governor’s budget address, these are a lot of new programs without many details behind them. These programs increase state bureaucracies while leaving taxpayers to bear the burden. Our taxpayers deserve relief, not a tax increase in a few years.”
Despite differences between Republicans and Democrats on state budget priorities, Heffley emphasized common ground on effective use of taxpayer money: “It is obvious Republicans and Democrats have different priorities, especially regarding the state budget. However, we can all agree that Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve a timely budget that ensures every penny is spent effectively.”
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Huntre Keip
717-772-9837
hkeip@pahousegop.com
RepHeffley.com / Facebook.com/RepHeffley
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