HARRISBURG, Feb. 3 – State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, issued the following statement regarding the 2021-22 state budget proposal announced today by Gov. Tom Wolf. 

“If there is one message I continue to hear from people living in Allentown or South Whitehall, it is their frustration over the ever-widening gap between the haves and the have nots that continues year after year.

“Pennsylvania’s tax laws make it worse. Underfunded schools make it worse. A rigged criminal justice system makes it worse.

“This budget takes a forward-looking view of these inequities and tries to make good on the notion of ‘Liberty and Justice for All.’ It would make taxes fairer, so that middle-class and working-class residents can pay fewer taxes. It would undertake the challenge of making our community schools the best in the nation. It would give workers a better shot at jobs that pay.

“This budget is focused on delivering things that matter to the people of the district I am honored to represent and that matters deeply. I truly want to praise the governor, and this budget, for seeking to make a more equitable society. America is not about guaranteeing outcomes, only opportunities.

“This budget would help make sure that all my constituents have the same opportunity, and I am looking forward to learning more about this budget as the process continues.

“For those not happy with the proposed budget, please, put forward concrete ideas that address the inequities in Pennsylvania’s tax laws, create public schools that are the model for the nation, provide jobs that pay and help to dismantle the rigged criminal justice system. The status quo is not working. We need solutions to address these problems,” Schlossberg said.

Information provided to TVL by:
Tom Andrews
House Democratic Communications Office

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