Senate Finalizes Budget for 2007-2008

Budget reflects fiscal responsibility, dedication to compromise 

HARRISBURG – The General Assembly has passed a budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, state Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) announced today.

"Throughout the past weeks and months, we have been working to create a fiscal plan that will be good for all of Pennsylvania," Brubaker said. "Although we each had different priorities for this budget, we have negotiated to this conclusion while remaining committed to the principles of no new taxes and a restraint in spending."

Brubaker noted that his first budget process as a state Senator, although slow, messy and even frustrating at times, demonstrated the value of the democratic process.

"As we worked through the details of this budget, every individual in Pennsylvania had the opportunity to offer input," Brubaker said.

Brubaker acknowledged that there are elements of the final budget that he is satisfied with and elements that he would have liked to see changed. "However," Brubaker said, "the four caucuses and the Governor have labored over this budget, each compromising in some fashion to arrive at this outcome."

One area where Brubaker and many of his colleagues would not compromise was their commitment to a budget that did not impose new taxes on Pennsylvanians and one that took steps to control spending.

"Since my term began earlier this year, I have been listening very closely to my constituents, and they have consistently told me that they cannot handle any more tax increases," Brubaker said. "I am proud that this budget is devoid of tax increases, and also that we have showed restraint by working out a rate of increase in spending that is far lower than in recent years."

Brubaker said the spending controls are striking when considering that the three areas that make up about 80 percent of the state budget – Education, Public Welfare and Corrections – are areas in which the state has limited discretion in cutting costs.