Mirabito: New budget holds the line on spending, taxes

WILLIAMSPORT -- State Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Lycoming, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a $28.05 billion state budget bill for the 2010-11 fiscal year:

"I am pleased we were able to deliver a budget on time.

"Challenged with closing a $1.5 billion spending gap, difficult choices needed to be made. This budget reflects a commitment to spending cuts, not tax increases. We are investing tax dollars where they will do the most good: education, to ensure our children's future and help to keep property tax increases to a minimum; economic development, to create jobs and improve local economies.

"I am also pleased that we have an agreement with the state Senate to address a severance tax this fall. My priority in this discussion will be to ensure those communities most affected by the development of the Marcellus Shale receive a greater share of a natural gas severance tax to cover their costs associated with drilling, including damage to roads, environmental concerns and strains on local services," Mirabito said.