For Immediate Release
February 17, 2010
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Putting Taxpayers First

According to Article VIII, Section 12 of Pennsylvania's Constitution, the Governor is required to submit to the General Assembly "a balanced operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year, setting forth in detail (i) proposed expenditures classified by department or agency and by program and (ii) estimated revenues from all sources."  Section 13 of the Constitution then requires the General Assembly to make operating budget appropriations that "shall not exceed the actual and estimated revenues and surplus available in the same fiscal year."

Earlier this month, Governor Rendell proposed his final state spending plan. It is no surprise to me that this plan – similar to his seven previous budgets – calls for increased spending by 4.1 percent, despite an estimated $500 million revenue shortfall.

Why is it when times are good, taxes don't come down, yet when times are tough (like now), some elected officials turn to the taxpayer for more?  When does the taxpayer come first?  That’s why I ran for office and it's on my mind each and every day in representing the people of the 48th Senatorial District.

If the legislature were to pass the $29.03 billion budget plan, Pennsylvania taxpayers would spend $920 each second of the year. It's too much – especially when you consider how much all levels of government have grown and expanded.  It has to stop.  We need to stop feeding the monster with your money.

Even before I was elected, I said we need to get government spending under control.  It's a monster and too many elected officials insist on feeding this monster rather than finding ways to live within our means and cut spending.

For the three years I have been in office, I have been an advocate for taxpayers – the people reading this article who pay bills on time, live within their means, and worry about their families and their future.

Article I, Section 1 of Pennsylvania's Constitution sets forth our Declaration of Rights:  “All men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent and indefeasible rights, among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, of acquiring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, and of pursuing their own happiness.”

Putting taxpayers first is key to putting these important words into action.

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