Lancaster County House GOP Delegation Votes to Restore Wolf Education Cuts
HARRISBURG – The Lancaster County Republican Delegation today voted to pass legislation that would restore the deep K-12 education cuts induced by Gov. Tom Wolf when he vetoed the fiscal code on March 23.
On March 23, Wolf allowed the 2015-16 budget to become law without his signature, but he vetoed the accompanying fiscal code, the legal document that instructs exactly how the budget money is to be distributed. That veto cut an extra $150 million from K-12 schools that the General Assembly has been trying to provide to schools. That veto also killed the formula for distributing money fairly to schools throughout the state.
The Lancaster County Republican Delegation – State Reps. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom), Mindy Fee (R-Manheim), Keith J. Greiner (R-Upper Leacock), Dave Hickernell (R-West Donegal), Steve Mentzer (R-Lititz), Brett Miller (R-East Hempfield) and Dave Zimmerman (R-East Earl) – issued the following statement today following a strong bipartisan House floor vote of 149-45 approving a new fiscal code that contains the funding formula recommended by the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission:
“As a result of the Senate and House’s veto-proof votes today, the fair school funding formula will award increased funding to every school district in Lancaster County. Gov. Wolf was acting on behalf of the needs of just a few when he vetoed the fiscal code and planned to distribute about half of the new money to three school districts: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chester Upland. By restoring the governor’s education cuts and granting school construction reimbursements fairly, all school districts in the state will benefit. We urge the governor to sign this important bill so all students in Pennsylvania can receive a quality education.”
Lancaster County House Republican Delegation
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner
717.260.6443