During the 2005 fall session Pennsylvania’s General Assembly began discussion around 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. PCPA updated members several times during October and November 2005 regarding the progress of proposed spending cap legislation. One of the TABOR bills – Senate Bill 884 – is now scheduled for a vote in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as early as tomorrow.
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.
If TABOR legislation is enacted in Pennsylvania it is paramount that an amendment exempting mental health/mental retardation/drug and alcohol (MH/MR/D&A) services be included. Rep. Fred McIlhattan (R-Armstrong/Clarion) drafted such an amendment to the House version of TABOR legislation – House Bill 2082 – in 2005. Rep. McIlhattan plans to re-draft his amendment (which, in addition to an exemption for MH/MR/D&A, would include an exemption for services to persons with autism and physical disabilities) for Senate Bill 884. However, House members would again need to vote for this amendment.
PCPA
Member Action
Members are urged to contact their state representatives to request that Senate
Bill 884 not be voted on, but rather discussed and debated allowing for a
comprehensive explanation of the measure to the public. Please make
calls as soon as possible. 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.
- 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.
Contact information for individual state legislators is available in the Legislative Affairs section.
PCPA acknowledges the assistance of Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, a project of The Keystone Research Center, in providing this information.
