STACK: NEW BUDGET BENEFITS CHILDREN, HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS

HARRISBURG, JULY 19, 2007 - State Sen. Mike Stack today praised the passage of the $27.2 billion state budget, which includes no tax increases and holds spending to a conservative 3.2 percent increase over last year.

“This year’s budget addresses Pennsylvania’s priorities,” Stack said. “There are so many areas that will benefit from increased funding, but I’m especially pleased that our state spending plan will benefit our children, our schools and health care programs.”

The state will see a $567 million increase in education spending, which includes $75 million for the governor’s “Pre-K Counts” funding; $90 million to upgrade high school classrooms with laptop computers; and $75 million to the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

“Our children deserve a great start to their education, and initiatives like Pre-K Counts and expanded kindergarten will give the youngest students an earlier opportunity to succeed,” Stack said. “Additionally, initiatives like Classrooms for the Future offer students the tools they’ll need to advance their academic and professional careers. I’m thrilled that, once again, Pennsylvania has made education funding a priority.”

Community colleges will see a 3.5 percent increase in funding and the State System of Higher Education will receive an additional $16.4 million, or a 3.36 percent increase. State colleges, including Temple University and Penn State, will see 2 percent increases.

Services for children also received significant funding. Notably, a new appropriation, Child Care Assistance, will receive $215 million. This funding will be used to provide quality child care to thousands of families.

Initiatives in the governor’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania” program received support as well.
One measure will implement specific guidelines to reduce health care-acquired infections, which lengthen hospital stays, potentially lead to death and increase costs to patients, hospitals and taxpayers.

Stack sponsored legislation to prevent health care-acquired infections, and later supported a similar bill, which was enacted along with this year’s budget.

“This is a major problem in our health care facilities. It causes unnecessary pain and suffering on the patient and wastes billions of dollars,” Stack said. “I’m thrilled that this legislation was passed into law, and I will continue to push proposals that would reduce health care costs.”
The governor’s new Cover All Kids health insurance program will receive $12.2 million.

Combined with $20 million in federal funding, this program will allow coverage for an additional 21,000 children.

In addition to Cover All Kids, children with special needs will have increased access to services and programs thanks to this budget. 

Funding for Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Autism Services will increase by a total of $152.91 million. 

“What that means to children and families is that more people will have access to programs and services that can change and improve their lives,” Stack said. “These are solid investments that will build a brighter future for thousands of Pennsylvanians.”

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