On October 25 PCPA made members aware of bills proposing to limit state spending in such areas as schools, health care, child care, transportation, and higher education. The legislation, known nationally as TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights), has been fast-tracked in Pennsylvania by members of the General Assembly. On November 9 PCPA updated members on TABOR’s progress through the Senate of Pennsylvania. One of the TABOR bills – Senate Bill 4 – is now scheduled for a vote in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as early as Monday, November 21.
Statewide associations and organizations across the commonwealth have continuously voiced the opinion that passing TABOR – legislation that is vast in scope with ramifications that are yet unknown – without long-term public debate and input is irresponsible. While PCPA supports the General Assembly in its endeavor for responsible spending, human services as a sector and the consumers and clients PCPA members serve will undoubtedly be hurt by this legislation as written. Again, several Pennsylvania-based non-partisan research centers that have analyzed the bills are advising associations and businesses that these bills are not good policy for Pennsylvania. Several outcomes would be realized by enactment of TABOR. The bill would:
- force cuts in a broad range of services affecting many Pennsylvanians,
- increase pressures on local governments and school districts to raise property taxes, and
- tie the hands of legislators when increased spending may be necessary to address critical needs or new demands.
There is discussion that an amendment exempting mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) services as well as services to persons with autism and physical disabilities could be introduced. PCPA wholeheartedly supports the introduction of such an amendment.
PCPA
Member Action
Members are urged to contact individual state legislators (both representatives
and senators) to request that the bills not be voted on, but rather discussed
and debated allowing for public review and input. Please make calls by the
morning of November 21. Remind legislators that:
- MH/MR/D&A services already do not receive adequate increases to meet current service demands, let alone address waiting lists and unmet need.
- MH/MR/D&A services are chronically underfunded; TABOR would perpetuate this cycle.
- In times of economic downturn there is an increased need for services. TABOR will make meeting that need virtually impossible.
- If the legislator plans to vote for spending cap legislation, insist that s/he only do so if an amendment to exempt MH/MR/D&A is included.
PCPA acknowledges the assistance of Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, a project of The Keystone Research Center, in providing this information.
