Did Fast Eddie do it again Governor Neglects Public Safety in 2008-09 Budget

[larrymeyer]

Governor Neglects Public Safety in 2008-09 Budget, says Marsico

Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Lower Paxton) was shocked that the governor’s proposed budget for 2008-09 included cuts or zero funding for numerous public safety measures and issued the following statement:

“I have had the opportunity to take a closer look at the governor’s proposal and I am astonished by the number of public safety line items he has cut or completely removed from the 2008-09 budget.

“Once again, funding for programs such as Law Enforcement Activities, Safe Neighborhoods and Violence Reduction Partnership were completely eliminated and the Weed and Seed Program saw a decrease in funding. These projects are all crucial to the safety of our public.

“Additionally, the Pennsylvania State Police complement was not increased at all. This will be the third year in a row that the governor has failed to increase the complement. As casinos open and communities continue to grow, it is absolutely crucial that we amplify the police presence in our state.

“I just don’t understand it. Here we have a governor who recently made what appeared to be a heartfelt plea before the judiciary committee to pass stricter gun laws. You would think that he would have a better understanding of how vital these public safety programs are to Pennsylvanians. Until he funds prevention and education programs and gets more police on our streets, we will continue to see an endless cycle of increased spending. For instance, corrections funding will continue to grow because crime will grow. In the governor’s 2008-09 proposed budget, corrections costs account for almost 6 percent of the general fund budget.

This is obscene. Crime and corrections go hand in hand. We have seen a surge of violence across the state and need to do something about this now.

“What’s truly interesting in the governor’s prioritization is that while public safety programs saw a decrease in funding or zero funding, grants to the arts saw an increase in funding. There is nothing wrong with supporting the arts but, when are we going to start supporting the safety of our public? We simply need to start prioritizing where we spend taxpayers’ money.

“I do not support the governor’s proposed budget that represents a $1.13 billion increase over the current year’s budget. The growth in spending is out of control and I truly believe it is dangerous to ignore safety issues year after year. It’s going to catch up with us. I vow to do everything in my power to see these items put back into our budget.”


Rep. Ronald Marsico
105th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(717) 652-3721
(717) 783-2014
www.RonMarsico.com
Contact: Autumn R. Southard
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 787-2946
www.pahousegop.com

[josh]

Well for this I have to give the crrok credit. I dont believe he did it fo rth eright reason but Im just glad he did.

“Once again, funding for programs such as Law Enforcement Activities, Safe Neighborhoods and Violence Reduction Partnership were completely eliminated and the Weed and Seed Program saw a decrease in funding. These projects are all crucial to the safety of our public.

“Additionally, the Pennsylvania State Police complement was not increased at all. This will be the third year in a row that the governor has failed to increase the complement. As casinos open and communities continue to grow, it is absolutely crucial that we amplify the police presence in our state.