Feb. 05, 2019 Download
Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his 2019-2020 state budget proposal on Tuesday in Harrisburg. The $34 billion spending plan represents a nearly 1 billion dollar increase in state spending over last year. Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny & Washington) said the Governor's budget plan has some good and bad aspects.
Feb. 06, 2018 Download
The Governor unveiled his 2018-19 state budget proposal before a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate in Harrisburg on Tuesday. The Governor’s plan calls for $33 Billion in state spending, approximately $1 Billion more than the Commonwealth spent last year.
May. 22, 2017 Download
Hundreds of gun owners and gun rights advocates were joined by a large bipartisan group of lawmakers in the state Capitol rotunda on Monday to voice their support for the second amendment rights of Pennsylvania citizens. This was the twelfth annual second amendment rights rally to be held in Harrisburg and a number of nationally noted speakers shared their perspectives on legislative and judicial efforts to protect and preserve the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny & Washington) was a featured speaker at the annual event and sponsor of legislation to eliminate the Pennsylvania Instant Check System in favor of the National Instant Check System for firearms purchases in Pennsylvania.
Apr. 04, 2017 Download
House Republican lawmakers moved to adopt a new state budget plan Tuesday in Harrisburg that would provide greater government efficiency, reduce overall state spending and avoid broad based tax increases. The $31.52 billion House budget is $246 million less than the current state spending plan and $815 million less than the budget proposal put forth by Governor Wolf earlier this year. The House budget also increases basic education funding by $100 million and provides an additional $25 million for both early childhood education and special education programs. House Bill 218 passed the House by a vote of 114 to 84 and now goes to the Senate for consideration. Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny & Washington) offered comments on the budget legislation following the vote.
Mar. 28, 2017 Download
Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) is questioning the $2 billion in “budget cuts” Gov. Tom Wolf claimed he made in his address to the General Assembly on Feb. 7 and in public appearances since. Rep. Ortitay, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said an analysis of the budget proposal shows the governor falls short of the mark in his actual line-item cuts and is using “smoke and mirror” budgeting to pay for current operating expenses.
Apr. 05, 2016 Download
Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington & Allegheny) has announced new constituent outreach hours in the Canton area at the Suburban Extended Stay Hotel from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month beginning on April 19th. Rep. Ortitay said he is instituting this new outreach schedule to ensure improved access to a variety of state related services for the residents of Canton Township.
Mar. 24, 2016 Download
At a press conference held at the State Capitol on Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he intends to allow a budget approved by the General Assembly last week to become law without his signature. The move signals the end of a nine-month fiscal impasse in Pennsylvania. The 30 billion dollar spending plan allows money to flow to schools, corrections, and agriculture programs that had been held hostage during negotiations.
Mar. 16, 2016 Download
Lawmakers took action Wednesday in the state capitol to provide essential funding for the remainder of the 2015/2016 state budget. The current year’s fiscal plan remains unresolved due to the Governor’s line-item vetoes of more than $6 billion for basic and higher education, as well as money for the Department of Corrections and agriculture programs. The House and Senate put forth the supplemental budget legislation to address funding holes created by the Governor’s vetoes and restore state funding for these programs. The funding bill approved today provides for a 200 million dollar increase for basic education, a 5 percent increase for higher education, and ensures that no schools will close in the Commonwealth. Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Allegheny & Washington) said it is past time to complete the budget before local schools are forced to close their doors..
Mar. 11, 2016 Download
House Republican lawmakers from the Pittsburgh area are questioning the rationale behind Gov. Tom Wolf’s demand for massive tax increases, including a call for a retroactive Personal Income Tax hike as part of his annual budget address. The group of legislators was joined by a number of small businessmen who stood in opposition to Gov. Wolf’s job-crushing proposals. House Republicans also called on Wolf to release education funds to prevent the closure of public schools in the state. Wolf cut $3 billion in basic education funding as part of his partial veto of the House-passed budget. The lawmakers said the governor should seek to close the budget deficit by reducing spending, instead of raising taxes.
Feb. 09, 2016 Download
House lawmakers offered their reactions to Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending proposal for fiscal year 2016-17, which he announced today in an address before a joint session of the General Assembly. The governor’s budget plan would increase taxes on working Pennsylvanians and employers by $3.6 billion and spending by 10 percent, or $3 billion, and calls for $33.3 billion in total spending. To support his proposed spending plan the governor has proposed 15 new tax increases, including a retroactive increase in the Personal Income Tax on Pennsylvania workers.