HARRISBURG, May 9, 2012 – State Sen. Jim Brewster provided the following comments after the Senate today voted 38 to 9 in favor of a revised version (Senate Bill 1466) of the 2012-13 state budget:
“While I hope we can do more to restore funds in the weeks ahead for important services and programs, this budget is a solid step in the right direction.
“With our improved economy brightening the state’s revenue picture, there is more room to restore funds that Gov. Corbett proposed cutting in his February budget proposal. While holding the line on taxes, this spending plan restores funding to our public schools, colleges and human service programs.
“As the budget negotiations wrap up in the weeks ahead, I hope we can provide additional monies for education, the social services block grant program, transportation and job creation.
“This budget is a reflection of a cooperative effort between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. All of us recognized the pain and devastation the governor’s proposed cuts would have caused and we will continue seeking ways to restore these funds.
“I will continue to fight for adequate school funding, property tax relief, college financial aid programs, economic development efforts and the community service programs that some of our most vulnerable citizens rely on.”
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