HARRISBURG – Responding to growing pleas from schools and community groups to release overdue state funding, Senate Republicans today led an effort to override Governor Wolf’s veto of an emergency budget passed last month by the General Assembly, according to state Senator Gene Yaw (R-23).
The override would have provided badly needed funding while negotiations continue on a final budget agreement. The override required a two-thirds majority, or 33 votes. While all 30 Republican Senators voted for the measure, the emergency funding veto override vote received no Democrat support.
“I am angry at the fact that school kids and those needing critical social services are being used as pawns in a scheme to raise more taxes,” Yaw said. “I don’t understand why anyone would vote against authorizing a temporary stream of funding until a budget deal is completed.”
Hours before the vote, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale told members of the Senate Democrat Policy Committee that the lack of state funding is having a devastating financial impact on schools throughout Pennsylvania. School districts have already borrowed nearly a half-billion dollars – plus interest payments of $15 million – because of the budget impasse, and that number may double by Thanksgiving.
Today’s vote marks the fifth time since June 30th that the legislature has attempted to have a fiscally responsible budget enacted and keep money flowing to schools and organizations.
CONTACTS:
Rita Zielonis, Chief of Staff
(717) 787-3280