WOZNIAK PRAISES BUDGET AS ‘POSITIVE AND PRAGMATIC’ HARRISBURG, July 4, 2008 – With the state facing multiple challenges including neglected schools and infrastructure, state Sen. John N. Wozniak called the new Pennsylvania budget “positive and pragmatic.” The General Assembly today passed a $28 billion spending plan that contains no tax increase and keeps intact the state’s Rainy Day Fund. “We were already looking at serious problems with bridges, schools and sewer systems,” Wozniak said, “when gas went through the roof and the economy soured. Still, we were able to take positive steps toward solutions to long-simmering problems without adding any burden to working families.” Key parts of the budget include: $350 million for bridge repair to address the worst of the state’s crumbling bridges. “More than a quarter of bridges across Pennsylvania have been found to be structurally deficient. The budget takes the first positive steps necessary to avert disaster,” Wozniak said. $275 million for schools, a 3 percent increase to give opportunity to all students help local property taxpayers. “Over the years the state’s share of the education burden has been dropping and this budget continues four years of momentum in reversing that trend,” Wozniak said. $1.2 billion to fix aging water and sewer treatment systems. “As a result of aging systems, millions of gallons of raw sewage are leaking or being pumped into our streams and rivers,” Wozniak said. “It’s an ecological crisis with a huge price tag.” $650 million in energy investment to helping Pennsylvanians become more energy sufficient. “It’s not enough that we save energy to save money,” Wozniak said. “We must prepare ourselves for the new green economy by helping companies supply the goods and services of the new economy.” By understanding that the sliding economy puts limitations on resources that could make us more aggressive at facing these challenges, lawmakers had to be creative,” Wozniak said. “It’s a credit to experienced lawmakers and staff that we were able to avoid furloughs and produce a budget that is positive and pragmatic,” he said.