NEW BUDGET PUTS CHILDREN AND SENIORS FIRST


Washington

          HARRISBURG, February 6– State Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Phila. /Montgomery) today applauded the commitments the 2007-2008 budget makes to children and seniors.

          “Governor Rendell presented a budget that puts the needs of children and seniors first,” Washington said.  “I am pleased that this new budget provides for education, child welfare, healthcare and long term care.”

          Washington said that the proposed budget makes it possible for more than 11,000 Pennsylvania children to be able to attend quality pre-K programs and 65 percent of all eligible students to be able to attend full-day kindergarten.

          “This proposed budget increases Pennsylvania’s investment in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 education by $527.8 million,” Washington said.  “This investment will make it possible for us to move ahead in our commitment to public education.”

          The budget also aims to address the rising challenges that Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector is facing with the introduction of the “Prescription for Pennsylvania” plan.

          “This plan makes quality healthcare for all Pennsylvanians a reality and brings us closer to eradicating the growing burden that federal cuts have put on our healthcare programs,” Washington said.

          Washington added that the new budget proposes to address the growing need for long-term services by investing $17.2 million in state funds to make significant new investments in Pennsylvania’s long-term living system.  She added that the 2007-08 budget ensures that older Pennsylvanians continue to receive valuable prescription drug assistance through the PACE Plus Medicare program, with a state investment of $276.4 million.

           Washington said she is pleased by the number of significant initiatives the new budget makes to children and families in need of assistance.

          “As a long time advocate for child and family welfare programs, it pleases me to see the Governor’s commitment to helping those with mental illness and handicaps, child abuse programs and programs aimed at assisting children grow up in healthy, safe environments,” Washington said.  “I look forward to the challenges that this bold new budget has set before my colleagues and I and I am eager to get to work on a budget that works for all Pennsylvanians.”