Budget Plan Focuses on Job Creation, Economic Opportunity

LANCASTER, Pa., April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today discussed his 2012-13 budget proposal during a visit to Pennsylvania Scale Company, where he cited the Lancaster County employer as an example of the kind of innovation and resiliency state government must support in order to bring real job growth to the state and the region.

"Pennsylvania Scale is the kind of place we had in mind when we drew up our new budget. You're the private sector and the one that creates real prosperity in our economy," said Corbett. "In fact, manufacturing jobs have risen by their highest number since 1991 and I understand that Pennsylvania Scale Company is helping to add to that number."

The $27.14 billion proposal maintains Corbett's commitment to balance the state budget. It closes a projected revenue shortfall of more than $700 million and reduces spending by more than $20 million.

Importantly, it meets the state's pension obligations and does not raise taxes for residents or businesses.

The governor's proposed budget focuses on five key areas: economic opportunities, education, human services, public safety and streamlining government.

"By keeping taxes low and holding down government spending, this leaves more money in the part of the economy that creates the best jobs -- the free market," said Corbett.

Governor Corbett's proposed budget accomplishes the following:

• Reduces spending from last year, reducing the state government workforce by an additional 2 percent, eliminates 33 wasteful appropriations, reduces 181 additional line items and reduces the state vehicle fleet by 1,200 vehicles.
• Creates job opportunity by holding the line on taxes, supporting Pennsylvania's small and large businesses and focusing state efforts on workforce development and job matching.
• Increases funding to basic education, continues the same level of funding from last year for universities dedicated to job placement, and creates new programs that give students incentives for training for occupations that are in high need of employees. 
• Levels funding for the Department of Corrections for the first time in a decade, increases the funding for PA Board of Probation and Parole to support transition from incarceration to community, provides funding for volunteer fire companies and provides funding for 115 state police troopers. 
• Transforms the public welfare system by providing incentives to those who are able to transition from the welfare line to the workforce, providing real relief to our poor and safeguarding taxpayer dollars through the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse. 
• Provides more than $387 million in funding for Penn State, Temple and the University of Pittsburgh, which translates to between a 1.6 to 2.1 percent decrease in the operational budgets; and a total of $330.2 million for the state-owned universities, a 3.8 percent reduction in the operating budget.

"I'm happy to be here to talk about jobs, the economy and how we can work together to build both," said Corbett.

Pennsylvania Scale Company is the leading U.S. manufacturer of electric scales and weight/count controls.  The company's annual sales are back to pre-recession levels and its February shipment volume was double what it was a year earlier. 

For more information, visit www.governor.pa.gov.

Media contact:  Kelli Roberts, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor