Aug 27, 2017 2 min read

This letter is in response to the Thursday editorial regarding the state budget.

The editorial inaccurately portrays the 2017-18 budget work done by the House of Representatives. The body, with my support, passed a balanced budget in April, which reduced spending, cut bureaucracy and funded our schools – without tax increases.

The Senate waited until the last week in June to even consider the budget, and worse, Gov. Tom Wolf has been basically disengaged since his February budget address, which he spent $1.8 million in taxpayer money for a consulting firm to craft. Does this sound like someone with leadership and vision? Once the other parties decided to engage, the end product spent more and needed new revenues.

Instead of working on the budget and bringing all sides together, the governor has launched into full campaign mode, holding unrelated media events that are clearly more important for his image than completing a budget.

Furthermore, when it became abundantly clear there was a deficit in the 2016-17 budget, the governor refused to lead and put money in reserves, thus making the situation worse. When faced with less revenue than expected, prior governors prudently used their power to reduce spending by putting line items in reserve. Wolf turned a blind eye and went on a $1.5 billion deficit-spending spree, making it more difficult to balance the 2017-18 budget.

Recently, I hosted a hearing on the Senate’s revenue package, which increases taxes on hardworking Pennsylvanians. It was clear both residents and businesses do not support the plan that will not only drive up the cost of doing business, but also heavily impact the household budgets of everday Pennsylvanians.

The House Republicans continue to work behind the scenes to find a solution that will not unduly burden the residents and businesses of the commonwealth. We hope to offer our plan soon.

Jason Ortitay

South Fayette

Ortitay represents the 46th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.