Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) issued this statement after the Senate Tuesday send the Fiscal Code bill to the Governor for his action: “Last month Gov. Corbett clearly stated that he would not consider new revenue options to balance the 2014-15 state budget unless the issues of liquor and pensions were both completed.
“Significant progress has been made towards modernizing Pennsylvania’s liquor system and a first step was taken by the full Senate to move legislators and state elected officials out of the state pension plan. However, at this time, these two issues have not been finalized. In light of his conditions, the budget presented to Governor Corbett by the General Assembly contains no new revenues.
“House Bill 2328 is a reasonable budget which comprises the Governor’s other priorities he set forth in his February budget announcement, including support for numerous important programs such as Intellectual Disabilities, Ready to Learn, Ready to Succeed Scholarships, Pre-K Education and four new State Trooper Cadet classes.
“With today’s Senate concurrence of the Fiscal Code bill, Gov. Corbett now has the necessary companion bills to complete our Commonwealth’s annual budget. I strongly encourage the Governor to sign the budget as presented to him, to ensure that there is no delay of providing vital government programs and services for Pennsylvania residents.”