FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Todd A. Eachus D-Luzerne www.pahouse.com/eachus

Eachus Response to Governor Rendell’s Proposed 2010-11 Budget

HARRISBURG, Feb. 9 – Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, made the following remarks on the House floor in response to Governor Ed Rendell’s proposed 2010-11 budget. Rendell unveiled his budget plan today before a joint session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Pa. House Majority Leader Todd A. Eachus Budget Response

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The revenue numbers don’t lie.

We know we’re facing another budget shortfall that is now reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Once again, we face a daunting task in balancing next year’s budget.

The economic landscape has not really changed since we passed our last budget.

We still face high unemployment – hovering around 9 percent statewide.

Although the national economy is showing signs of recovery, the people of Pennsylvania have not yet seen much relief.

We have limited resources and growing needs.

But there is some good news this year.

The good news is that we planned for much of these challenges.

That’s why we passed a budget last year that included revenues for both this budget year and next.

We must now focus on year two of our two-year budget plan.

Last year we took a measured, responsible approach and were able to balance the budget with targeted spending cuts and new, recurring revenues.

We used equal parts compassion and fiscal practicality.

We protected the integrity of state programs that help people – and we did it without a broad-based tax increase.

And it is my sincere hope that reason, respect and responsibility will once again prevail as we work together to pass a balanced budget for next year.

The House Democrats share the governor’s goal of passing a budget that invests in our future and our people.

And we support the Governor's continued commitment to protecting our most vulnerable citizens.

This is a core value that the Democratic Caucus holds firm – and one we will not back away from.

We cannot forget those among us who too often don’t have a voice here in Harrisburg.

Children. Seniors. Veterans. Individuals with Disabilities.

We have a moral obligation to ensure that the most vulnerable among us are protected against deep service cuts that could put them in harm’s way.

And like last year – we can accomplish this goal and protect our taxpayers all without any broad-based tax increases.

But even as we begin the slow recovery from the Great Recession, there are thousands of Pennsylvanians who are still trying desperately to find a job so they can feed their families.

This recovery hasn’t helped them yet.

They’re seeing Wall Street rebound, but there’s no joy on Main Street.

Pennsylvanians deserve better.

That’s why we are committed to helping our workers and our businesses grow, prosper and succeed – together.

With unemployment levels still on the rise, we must invest in strategies that help build a stronger, more highly-skilled workforce

And we must give businesses the tools they need to compete and the incentives to hire qualified employees.

Many will ask the question: In this economy, how can we afford to invest in job creation and economic development?

The answer is: We can’t afford not to.

We must invest in our people.

We must invest in our businesses.

These strategic investments are the key to ensuring that Pennsylvania emerges from this recession better, stronger and more competitive than ever before.

The strength and vitality of our commonwealth is dependent not just on the critical investments we make in our workers and our businesses today, but also those investments we make in our future workers and business leaders.

That’s why it is imperative that we continue our investments in our public schools, our community colleges and our job training programs.

Pennsylvania must learn to operate more efficiently, and yes we must certainly reduce and eliminate waste.

And that has been a priority of the House Democratic Caucus since I took office as Majority Leader.

But we must guard against the tendency to take a slash-and-burn approach to budgeting, and simply cut without regard for the human cost.

It can be done.

We can pass a morally and fiscally responsible budget that protects those who are most in need while also investing in education, our economy and in our future.

We can do it.

We must do it.

But it will take true bipartisanship and cooperation.

It will take an end to the pettiness and divisiveness that have too often been the hallmarks of this General Assembly.

We must put partisanship aside and focus on the people of this great Commonwealth.

All of us have a responsibility to work together to accomplish the people’s business.

Democrat or Republican. House or Senate.

All four caucuses have a stake in this budget, and all four should be at the table.

The people of this Commonwealth expect us to rise above our differences to do what’s right for Pennsylvania.

They expect us to work together.

And yes, they expect us to compromise.

Just saying "no" is simply not an option.

Let’s find a way for all of us to say "yes."

Let’s do what the people sent us here to do – Let’s lead.

And let’s finish the job.

Thank you.

###