Spending
“In 2011, the taxpayers of Pennsylvania faced a choice: rein in the out of control spending
of the previous eight years or face massive tax increases. I listened to your concerns
and did as I promised, focusing spending on priorities and avoiding a tax increase on
the people of our state when they could least afford it.”
Real Fiscal Discipline
As our State Representative, Rosemary did what she promised she would by bringing fiscal discipline to state government and dealing with the loss of billions of dollars in temporary federal stimulus funding. And she did it while ensuring that the money spent by the state still provides help to those who need it most and delivers essential services to Pennsylvanians.
Just as important, Rosemary focused state spending on the priorities we care about.
In particular, when the Governor proposed reductions in education funding that went beyond the amount of federal stimulus money that had been used to temporarily inflate funding for schools, Rosemary said, “No.” Instead of these unfair reductions, she and others in the House and Senate successfully fought to ensure that basic education remained a top priority. Today, the final budget Rosemary supported commits more state tax dollars to basic education than ever before.
Thanks to the work of Rosemary and the other legislators who worked to pass the FY2011-12 budget, Pennsylvania again stands on a strong financial foundation and now spends less than it did the year before.
Of course, while important steps to instill fiscal discipline have been taken, Rosemary knows there is still more we can do to address the things that drive up costs in state and local government. That’s why she is committed to pushing for mandate relief that will help reduce spending for local governments and school districts, as well as supporting important public pension reforms.