Sen. Argall, Rep. Knowles Issue Joint Statement on Budget Impasse

HARRISBURG –State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) and Representative Jerry Knowles (R-124) today urged Gov. Rendell and the House of Representatives to finish the state's most pressing job - completing a taxpayer-friendly state budget, thus preventing payless paydays for thousands of state employees.

"For the seventh year in a row, Pennsylvania is beginning a new fiscal year with no budget in place," said Knowles. "It's time for us to do the same as thousands of families across Pennsylvania do every day." "We need to make some tough, but necessary, decisions about our spending if we are going to fund essential services without raising taxes." "Simply put, we need to live within our means," Knowles added.

"Rep. Knowles and I have one goal for 2009: balancing Pennsylvania's budget without the need for tax increases," Argall said. "The Governor has spent weeks on a misinformation campaign against Senate Bill 850, a spending plan that would balance the budget without raising taxes." "While this bill includes some deep cuts to some worthy programs, it would continue to fund the vital services that Pennsylvanians rely on for their health and safety."

CONTACT: Nick Troutman, (717) 787-2637 (Sen. Argall)

Sean Yeakle, (717) 787-3406 (Rep. Knowles)