I am a small business owner, so I understand the need to balance a budget—but this budget is not balanced, nor is it done in a professional manner. It spends $3.3 billion more than anticipated revenues to be received within the fiscal year, adding to the structural deficit the commonwealth is already facing.

As a homeowner or business owner, the responsible action is to pay down your debt and keep money in the bank for an unexpected emergency. This budget does not accomplish either. In fact, this budget is unsustainable, which will inevitably lead to raising taxes and will continue to put a strain on our already financially strapped families and small businesses.

For the last 15 years, state funding for education has increased by 56 percent, while reading proficiency has decreased by 23 percent. With $1 billion in new money being allocated toward school districts in this year’s budget, there are no accountability measures. It’s obvious that more funding does not equal more proficiency.

On the flip side, however, I was happy to see funding for the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES) to draw more businesses to the commonwealth.

Rep. Jeff Olsommer, R-139
Hawley, PA