Responding to today’s Commonwealth Court decisions ordering the state to transfer $808 million from the General Fund back into accounts that help community hospitals and physicians pay their malpractice premiums, House Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson) issued the following statement: 

“Why be concerned about a possible $800 million loss of budget funds? 

“We are already in the midst of a billion dollar deficit, the proposed budget spends an additional billion dollars, the feds nixed $450 million from a tolling scheme which didn’t even exist, and Congress hasn’t approved the usage of another $850 million. So why be concerned about another $800 million?  

“I’ll tell you why. This is what the fight was about last year – living within our means.  

“Our opposition to the use of all these funds and draining the Rainy Day Fund were major reasons that led to House Republicans being excluded from the budget negotiations. 

“So where does that leave us now when the current budget proposal relies on money that just doesn’t exist, and our taxpayers can’t afford to pay more in taxes? The economy certainly hasn’t bounced back that much. 

“Spending without concern to how things are going to be paid for, is and should be, very concerning to every Pennsylvanian.” 

Representative Sam Smith
Republican Leader
PA House of Representatives                                                                        

Contact:  Stephen Miskin (717) 787-3845
Internet:  www.SamSmithPaHouse.com