WASHINGTON: BUDGET ADEQUATELY FUNDS EDUCATION, MASS TRANSIT

            HARRISBURG, July 19 - State Sen. LeAnna Washington (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) today praised the passage of Pennsylvania’s $27.2 billion budget, which addresses the problems we face today and sets us up to handle the challenges of tomorrow, but without increasing taxes.

            “While the budget process was challenging over the past few weeks, I am very pleased with the budget that the governor signed today,” Washington said. “Despite cuts from the federal government and skyrocketing costs of health care, this year’s budget represents a modest 3.2 percent spending increase over last year.

            “It addresses many important facets of Pennsylvania, including historic investments in our children and transportation,” she added.

            The budget includes $75 million for the governor’s “Pre-K Counts” program, $90 million to upgrade high school classrooms with laptop computers and $75 million for the state's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.

            “Our children deserve the opportunity for an early start to their education, and Pre-K Counts will give our new generation of Pennsylvanians a great start, so I’m happy that it received funding,” Washington said. “Additionally, our high school students will have even more access to the latest technology, which is tremendous.”

            Additionally, children with special needs will have increased access to services and programs thanks to this budget. 

            Funding for Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Autism Services will increase by a total of $152.9 million. 

            “With more access to support services, families will have more opportunities for assistance, which will lead toa better quality of life,” Washington said.

            Funding for autism programs for adults across the state, including prepaid inpatient health care, statewide training and technical assistance, information outreach, assessment procedures and program monitoring to continue improving services for adults with autism, increased by $18.2 million.    

            Legislation accompanying this year’s budget will ensure that all licensed health care providers – including advanced nurse practitioners, midwives and others – are able to practice medicine to the fullest extent of their education and training.

            “Now, Pennsylvanians will have much more access to direct care,” Washington said. “This will ensure that individuals are receiving the best care possible.”

            The House and Senate also approved important legislation that makes a historic commitment to our mass transit systems. The final budget agreement will provide an average of $946 million in total transportation funding throughout the state over the next 10 years.

            “I am thrilled that the budget agreement provides critical funding for SEPTA,” Washington said. “It’s time that Pennsylvania produce a long-term solution for the mass transit problems that plague cities and communities all across the state.”

            The plan will provide $300 million for mass transit next year, $350 million in 2008, and $400 million in 2009.

            SEPTA can expect around $150 million in new funding this year.

            According to Gov. Ed Rendell, this funding boost will put the state's mass transit agencies "in good stead" with regard to operating and capital costs for the next 15 to 20 years.