Controlling Spending to Focus on Priorities and Protect Taxpayers

As our State Representative, Warren Kampf did what he promised he would by bringing fiscal discipline to state government and dealing with the loss of billions of dollars in temporary federal stimulus funding.  And he did it while ensuring that the money spent by the state still provides help to those who need it most and delivers essential services to Pennsylvanians.

Just as important, Warren focused state spending on the priorities we care about.  In particular, when the Governor proposed reductions in education funding that went beyond the amount of federal stimulus money that had been used to temporarily inflate funding for schools, Warren said, “No.”  Instead of these unfair reductions, he and others in the House and Senate successfully fought to ensure that basic education remained a top priority.  Today, the final budget commits more state tax dollars to basic education than ever before.

Thanks to the work of Warren and the other legislators who worked to pass the FY2011-12 budget, Pennsylvania again stands on a strong financial foundation and now spends less than it did the year before.

While important steps to instill fiscal discipline have been taken, Warren knows there is still more we can do to address the things that drive up costs in state and local government.  That is why, in 2012, he will introduce comprehensive public pension reform that protects the pensions of current employees while requiring all new hires to take part in a defined contribution, 401k-type plan like those of workers in the private sector.  He will also continue pushing for mandate relief that will help reduce spending for local governments and school districts.