U.S. Senator Bob Casey criticizes Republican state budget plan

Senator Bob Casey is the latest high-profile Pennsylvania Democrat to blast a budget passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Senator Bob Casey is the latest high-profile Pennsylvania Democrat to blast a budget passed by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Listen:
[audio: 090608sdedcasey.mp3]

Senator Casey joined Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak at East Pennsboro High School in Enola, Cumberland County, to decry education cuts in the Senate’s budget.

The Republican plan would reduce state spending, and use 728 million in stimulus dollars to keep overall funding at a level pace, while Governor Rendell’s plan would use a combination of state and federal dollars to increase the education budget.

Casey says he understands the need to cut spending, but wants lawmakers to look elsewhere.

Casey: At a time when we’ve got a terrible economy-people have lost their homes or their jobs and their hopes and their dreams-the worst thing we can do is cut education funding.

Republicans says the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of their budget, which they say reflects Pennsylvania’s reduced revenue.
The House Appropriations Committee has rejected the Senate spending plan, so it has no chance of becoming law.