Area lawmakers speak out against proposed PA budget

March 25, 2010HARRISBURG-- Pennsylvania's House of Representatives approved a $29 billion state budget bill this week sending it to the State Senate where it will face criticism and revision by Republicans.

The House approved spending plan follows the budget outlined by Gov. Ed Rendell last month.

It would boost spending by about 4 percent, even though Republicans warn that Pennsylvania's lagging tax collections are threatening to tilt the plan out of balance by hundreds of millions of dollars.

The House approved the bill, 107-89, with support from every Democrat who voted and five Republicans.

Local Representative Michele Brooks (R-Crawford/Mercer/Lawrence) voted against the bill.

"The administration's spending plan falls far short of the fiscal responsibility and planning needed to streamline government, prioritize spending and reduce fraud and abuse within the system," Brooks said in a news release. "This type of spending is not sustainable and needs to be addressed.

Local State Senator Bob Robbins(R-Crawford/Mercer/Lawrence/Butler) is also critical of the proposed budget from the Governor. Robbins says lawmakers must hold the line on spending and not increase the budget.

Watch Jordan Early's interview with State Senator Robbins and hear what worries him about the spending plan proposed in Harrisburg.