Governor Rendell's Budget Gets it Right!

The Governor's budget proposal improves funding for our agencies by closing corporate tax loopholes

Last year's economic downturn continues to strain Pennsylvania's budget. As state revenue declines from high unemployment, it seems the number of patients and clients we care for continues to grow. We're all being asked to do more with less. So as we head into this year's budget season, we must make sure our elected officials work harder than ever to pass a budget that will raise revenue without burdening working families, and ensure commonwealth employees have enough resources and staff to provide the best quality of care to our patients and clients.

Governor Rendell has proposed a budget that increases funding in the agencies where state nurses work and provide care everyday. Here is how the Governor’s proposed budget would impact our funding and our patients:

• DPW - 5 of our 6 State Mental Hospitals will see funding increases between 3 and 5%, and MR Centers will receive an appropriation increase in line with increased operating costs.
• DMVA - Funding for Veteran's homes will increase by $4.3 million dollars.
• DOC - A 7.3% increase in ‘medical care’ in State Correctional Institutions.

At the same time, the Governor's budget reduces the state sales tax from 6% to 4% to help working Pennsylvanians, and increases revenues three ways:

• Closes corporate tax loopholes to make sure all corporations are paying their fair share.
• Adds a moderate tax on smokeless tobacco and cigars.
• Puts  a levy on the extraction of natural gas from Marcellus Shale.

 
The Governor did the right thing! Now it is up to us to tell our State Representatives and Senators that they need to pass a budget that raises the revenue needed to fully fund our agencies, so we can continue to provide quality care and services to PA’s most vulnerable citizens.