Fed Lawmaker Talks PA Budget

A US Senator is getting involved in the Pennsylvania budget process. Sen. Bob Casey of PA toured the state yesterday with Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak. The two were touting the Governor’s budget proposal and bashing the version passed by the Republican controlled state Senate. The Republican plan would reduce state spending for education and use $728 million in stimulus money to keep overall funding at a level pace. On the other hand, Governor Ed Rendell’s plan would use a combination of state and federal dollars to increase the education budget. Sen. Casey says he understands the need to cut spending, but wants lawmakers to look elsewhere. He says, “At a time when we’ve got a terrible economy—people have lost their homes or their jobs and their hopes and their dreams—the worst thing we can do is cut education funding.” Republicans says the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of their budget, which they say reflects Pennsylvania’s reduced revenue. The House Appropriations Committee has rejected the Senate spending plan, so it now has no chance of becoming law.