This budget turns its back on the state’s most vulnerable, leaving thousands of working Pennsylvanians and children without health coverage and driving up costs for emergency care. Middle-class families want to hear their policymakers take a strong stand for quality education and affordable college tuition. This budget is out of step with those values.
HARRISBURG, PA (February 8, 2012) – Stephen Drachler and Peg Dierkers issued the following statement on behalf of the Better Choices for Pennsylvania Coalition on Governor Corbett’s proposed 2012-13 budget:
“This budget sounds an alarm for Pennsylvania. Middle-class families want to hear their policymakers take a strong stand for quality education and affordable college tuition. This budget is out of step with those values.
“This budget turns its back on the state’s most vulnerable, leaving thousands of working Pennsylvanians and children without health coverage and driving up costs for emergency care. Other cuts have left victims of crime and violence with fewer places to turn and out-of-work Pennsylvanians with fewer opportunities to gain 21st Century work skills.
“Policymakers should take a balanced approach to the budget that includes finding efficiencies as well as new revenue. Many cuts could be avoided if we closed loopholes that allow big profitable corporations to avoid paying taxes as Pennsylvania families do.
“This is only the beginning of the budget process, and we urge policymakers to craft a final budget that is in step with the values of most Pennsylvanians — one that builds a stronger economy and embraces the state’s moral responsibility to serve all Pennsylvanians.”
Better Choices for Pennsylvania is a coalition of more than 30 groups statewide that support a responsible and balanced approach to the state budget. Learn more at http://betterchoicesforpa.com.
Stephen Drachler is the executive director of United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania. Peg Dierkers is executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Both are members of the Better Choices Coalition.