Constitutional Spending Limit Would Force State Government to Live Within Its Means
HARRISBURG – Less than one week before the governor’s annual budget address, Rep. Tim Krieger (R-Delmont) announced the introduction of legislation to constitutionally cap state government spending (House Bill 116).
“For years now, state government has spent well beyond our means,” said Krieger. “Despite the public outcry, government continues to expand and to consume an even greater portion of our limited resources. The only way to stop the growth of government is to construct a constitutional wall to hold back the continuing flood, by constitutionally limiting the growth of spending.”
Krieger’s legislation would amend the Article VIII, Section 18 of the Pennsylvania Constitution to establish spending limits that the Commonwealth must abide by each fiscal year. This proposed constitutional amendment would limit the rate at which the Commonwealth’s total spending could increase by applying the lowest percentage of the following:
• The change in the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers during the
previous fiscal year; or
• The change in the rate of population growth during the previous fiscal year.
“The purpose of this legislation should be clear; to stop the ever-continuing growth of state government,” said Krieger. “Pennsylvania taxpayers can no longer afford for their government to spend without restraint. It is time to stand up and say enough is enough. Enactment of this legislation will be a big step in the right direction.”
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RepKrieger.com.
State Representative Tim Krieger
57th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Ty McCauslin
tmccausl@pahousegop.com
717.772.9979