Representative Ryan Warner

52nd Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Madry
717.260.6587
mmadry@pahousegop.com
RepWarner.com / Facebook.com/RepWarner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 20, 2018

Warner Votes Yes for No-Tax-Increase State Budget Plan

HARRISBURG - Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) voted in favor of the 2018-2019
state budget bill, House Bill 2121. This legislation passed the House overwhelmingly, 188-10,
and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
“I supported this budget because there are no tax increases or borrowing money to balance our
spending, which was the case in last year’s budget,” said Warner. “We were able to increase
funding in line items like basic education, school security and our community hospitals because
our spending number is well within the rate of inflation.”
Warner has lobbied against excessive spending increases which were dependent on tax
increases since he was elected. His legislation, House Bill 110 or the Taxpayer Protection Act,
which passed the House earlier this year, would help bring spending under control.
“This budget does meet the requirements outlined in House Bill 110 and does look out for
taxpayers,” said Warner. “The recent upswing in our economy, thanks to the President’s
economic policies, has allowed us to fund this years total spending with no increases in taxes or
fees within the Commonwealth.”
The budget spends $32.7 billion and represents a 1.7 percent increase over the current fiscal year
budget, which is below the rate of inflation. This budget is the result of prudent spending, an
improved economy and responsible policies.
This year’s budget also includes items such as:
• A new $60 million initiative to ensure Pennsylvania’s children are in a safe learning
environment.
• Increased funding for basic education, early childhood education and special education.
• A 3 percent increase for Pennsylvania’s state-related universities, community colleges
and Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
• A 3.3 percent increase for the State System of Higher Education.
• A $4 million increase for EMS agencies across Pennsylvania.
The budget will increase state spending on public education to record levels: $100 million more
for Basic Education Funding, $20 million more for preK, $5 million more for Head Start, $15
million more for special education, and $30 million for career and technical education. An
additional $25 million for the Educational Improvement Tax Credit, can be used by parents
throughout Pennsylvania to choose where they want to send their children to school.

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