June 12th, 2008

House Appropriations Majority Chairman Dwight Evans issued a press release yesterday, announcing the amendments his committee has made to the Gov’s proposed budget bill.  The committee has restored $145 million to programs that have been traditionally funded by the state.

The release states: 

“Governor Rendell’s proposal gave us a starting point, but our amendment reflects the priorities of House members from both sides of the aisle,” said state Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Phila., who is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and sponsor of H.B. 2380, the budget bill. “This is a difficult budget year for all of us. Even so, it’s important we continue our investments in the people, programs and policies that will move Pennsylvania forward.”

Rendell’s proposed $28.3 billion General Fund spending plan is 4.2 percent higher than the state’s current plan. The Appropriations Committee added a little more than 0.5 percent in spending. Overall, spending would be 4.8 percent higher than the current fiscal year under the amended plan.

“In comparison to the total budget, this is not a huge number,” Evans said. “But it shows our commitment to the kinds of programs that allow Pennsylvania to thrive.”