York County House Republicans Slam Democrat Leaders on Lack of Support for Colleges
Delegation questions sincerity of threats to work overtime on key issues
After House Democrat leaders unexpectedly canceled session and the anticipated vote on table games legislation, as well as a vote to support four of the state’s major universities, members of the York County House Republican delegation expressed disappointment and frustration with their colleagues’ lack of concern for college students and their families, as well as their lack of commitment after failing to show up for work Thursday morning.
State Reps. Seth Grove (R-Dover), Ron Miller (R-Springfield Township), Stan Saylor (R-Red Lion) and Will Tallman (R-Hanover) issued the following statement:
“While the actions of House Democrat leaders in the last 24 hours are disappointing to us as members of the General Assembly, they are even more discouraging to the students who attend Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln Universities and their families. Wednesday night, House Republicans attempted to rectify a situation that should have been taken care of this past June during budget negotiations, when state funding for these schools is usually passed. Our efforts, aided by the votes of a handful of our colleagues from across the aisle, were voted down, as the priority of Democrats leadership was to debate table games legislation. This took place as these universities prepare to send out tuition bills for the second semester, thus bringing about the possibility of tuition hikes that would be necessary due to lack of financial support from the state.
“Just as parents of these students expect the best effort from the children they are sending to these schools, they as taxpayers expect the best effort from the representatives they send to Harrisburg. Considering practices of the last few months, the same cannot be said. During budget negotiations in April, House Democrat leaders who control the voting calendar told us to prepare for extra days on the floor in an effort to secure an agreement. They promptly cancelled numerous session days and allowed a budget bill to lie dormant in committee until well after the constitutionally-mandated July 1st deadline.
“Yesterday, our initial effort to bring financial support for Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln Universities to a vote was put on hold in the morning. After repeated afternoon delays in returning to the floor for session, House Democrat leadership turned down yet another attempt to bring about a vote. Their latest broken promise came when they scheduled an 8 a.m. floor session for December 10, never truly intending to show up until 10 a.m., and then canceled session with House Republicans on the floor waiting to go to work.
“While House Republicans stood ready to do the peoples’ business, House Democrat leaders did not even stand up. The needs of hard-working Pennsylvanians must be the priority, not party politics. Those same taxpayers that send us to Harrisburg expect a better effort from their representatives.”
York County House Republican Delegation
Contact: Scott B. Little
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 260-6137
www.pahousegop.com