Local legislators like the look of 2021-22 state budget

WILKES-BARRE — Sen. Lisa Baker said the recently passed $40.8 billion state budget supports Pennsylvania’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing a financial safety net for the future.

Baker, R-Lehman Township, said the budget picture improved substantially over the past six months because of billions of dollars in federal pandemic relief and a good start on a bounce back for the state economy.

“The deficit that everyone feared for the coming year has been alleviated primarily by federal assistance,” Baker said. “The tax hike Gov. Tom Wolf sought when his budget was unveiled has been avoided. This enabled the budget to be done before the deadline, with no tax increases and no drastic cuts in funding for essential services.”

Sen. John Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, said as part of the budget process, the General Assembly has passed a number of initiatives that will propel the Commonwealth forward as it continues to recover from the pandemic.

“The state budget passed by the General Assembly is fiscally responsible, includes no new taxes, and will help stimulate a robust economic recovery that will help our schools and communities move beyond the COVID-19 pandemic,” Yudichak said. “Working class families, small businesses, and nursing homes faced the biggest health and economic challenges during the pandemic, and they are the rightful winners in this year’s budget that makes significant investments in helping ensure a safe transition to fully opening our economy, our communities and our schools.”

Rep. Tarah Toohil, R-Butler Township, said the spending plan supports educational opportunities for children throughout Pennsylvania, whether they attend a public, charter of private school with a record high allocation of $13.55 billion for PreK-12 education.

“Hopefully, the increase in education funding can help to hold the line on property taxes at the local level,” Toohil added. “This budget includes higher funding amounts for PreK-Counts and Head Start, which is going to be very important for children in the Commonwealth who have just been through the worst year of their young lives. We want to make sure to prepare these children to succeed when they advance to elementary school.”

Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake, said the budget would increase funding to education, seniors and first responders, while avoiding a tax increase on Pennsylvanians.

“This budget continues to secure our financial future,” Boback said. “By setting aside over $2.5 billion into a Rainy Day Fund and setting aside $5 billion from the federal relief fund, we have shown our commitment to Pennsylvanians by responsibly spending Pennsylvania tax dollars.”

Baker said there is federal money put toward critical road and bridge projects that have been on hold because of the steep revenue losses incurred when travel was curtailed during the worst of the pandemic.

“This will be helpful to some communities in our region,” Baker said. “At the same time, these funds do compensate for the lack of a state infrastructure package, where there is strong agreement on necessity, but a running dispute with the governor over how to pay for it.

Yudichak said the budget includes:

• Sales and Use Tax exemption for computer data center equipment.

• Continued funding for the SHINE after school programs.

• $282 million for nursing homes/assisted living and personal care homes.

• $12.8 million increased education funding for area schools.

• A $12.3 million increase in marketing to attract tourism and a $5.4 million increase to Keystone Communities.

Boback said as the majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, she was glad to see the allocation of $5 million of federal relief funds to the Emergency Management Services Operating Fund to support all first responders.

“This budget will also continue to protect our communities by funding two Pennsylvania State Police cadet classes,” Boback said.