HARRISBURG, June 22, 2018 – State Sen. Lisa Boscola today provided the following comment on the Senate’s bipartisan passage of the 2018-19 state budget (House Bill 2121). The legislation now goes to the governor for enactment.

“In addition to holding the line on taxes, keeping spending below inflation and contributing to the state’s rainy day fund, I am pleased that this spending plan boosts support for economic development, job training and education.

“From Pre-K through college, this budget reflects the need to educate our children and prepare them to enter the workforce. This budget also makes critical investments in technical training to help fill glaring vacancies for jobs in the building trades and manufacturers across Pennsylvania. These investments recognize that a traditional college education is not the only pathway to a sustainable future.  This budget will help sustain, expand and stoke Pennsylvania businesses, which will generate family-sustaining jobs and create even more career opportunities.

“I also voted for this budget because of its investment in economic development. Funding proven job training and economic development programs is critically important to Pennsylvania’s competitiveness and ability to retain jobs and recruit new businesses.

“By investing $40 million onto the PAsmart initiative, we can better coordinate public education with workforce development initiatives. We also earmarked additional dollars to continue support for economic development initiatives in our manufacturing sector.

“As I have said many times, we should make every effort to fund proven economic development programs that give us a sound return on our investment. In fiscal 2016-17 alone, Pennsylvania leveraged $59 million in state funds that generated $1.4 billion in private investment. These programs work and I’m excited by our renewed investment in them.”

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