Rep. Scavello Comments on Passage of State Budget - 7/1/2010
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The Pennsylvania House has passed an on-time state budget for the upcoming fiscal year and lawmakers offered their assessments of the $28 billion compromise spending plan. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said he could not support this budget because it will leave the state in a precarious financial position in the future. Chuck Nichols Reports - Story and Bite available.
Rep. Scavello Comments on Transportation Funding Challenges at Opening of Special Session - 5/5/2010
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Transportation funding will be the topic of a special session of the state legislature, with Governor Rendell addressing lawmakers on Tuesday to lay out some of the options Pennsylvania faces to fill the $2 billion revenue hole created by the failure of the I-80 tolling plan. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said he feels one of the problems is that the Rendell administration places too much emphasis on channeling funding to mass transit systems in Pennsylvania’s big cities without asking cities to bear their fair share of the cost. Mike Davies reports ...
Rep. Scavello Comments on Governor's Budget Address - 2/9/2010
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Governor Rendell proposed nearly a billion dollars in new state spending during his budget address Tuesday before a joint session of the General Assembly in Harrisburg. Details of the plan include a broadening of state sales and business taxes to help pay for a predicted increase of state expenses in the coming years. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said that, when facing a recession, the state must not look to increased spending and taxation. Mike Davies Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Scavello Cautions Feds to Look Hard at the I-80 Tolling Application Before Moving to Approve - 2/2/2010
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As a final decision looms on the application to impose tolls on Interstate 80, area lawmakers are calling into question both the documentation used to support the tolling proposal and the management ability of the Turnpike Commission. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said he has requested federal officials to thoroughly examine the accuracy of the information in the application before approving any toll plan. Mike Davies reports... story and longer bite available.
Rep. Scavello Says Re-Application for I-80 Tolling Will Hurt Job Market in Monroe County - 11/18/2009
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House lawmakers reacted on Wednesday to testimony about efforts by the Rendell Administration and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to reapply to the federal government for the right to institute tolling on I-80. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said he is concerned that this toll plan would further damage the economy in his area. Mike Davies reports...
Rep. Scavello Expresses Frustration at Lack of Budget Action - 9/10/2009
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House lawmakers are expressing their frustration with being called into session by Democrat leadership during a state budget crisis, and then having no bills put on the voting calendar for consideration. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said legislators are frustrated by the lack of action. Mike Davies Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Scavello Comments on Efforts to End Budget Impasse - 8/19/2009
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As the state budget standoff continues in Harrisburg, House Republican lawmakers are actually putting forth new budget legislation designed to overcome many of the shortcomings of previous bills. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said Republicans are working on two fronts in order to end the budget stalemate, and restore vital services to Pennsylvanians. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Scavello Says Gov Expected to Use Line Item Veto to Further Extend the Budget Crisis - 8/4/2009
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A budget bill received nearly unanimous approval by the state House Tuesday in Harrisburg, but lawmakers admit that it probably will not be the last word on state spending for this year. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said he supported the stopgap bill but is disappointed the Governor not only delayed the budget process for a month, and is expected to line item veto much of the bill in an effort to leverage higher spending. Mike Davies reports...
Rep. Scavello Comments on Competing Budget Plans - 7/16/2009
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Competing state budget plans were debated on the House floor on Thursday, with House Republicans pushing for an amendment to restore the funding for higher education which was completely eliminated in the bill proposed by House Democrats. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) said that the Republican plan would have provided Pennsylvanians with a balanced budget that preserved programs, without a tax increase. Chuck Nichols Reports – Story and Bite available.
Rep. Scavello Says Democrats Cut All Higher Ed Funding as Tactic in Budget Battle - 7/13/2009
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In a surprise move House Democrats introduced a last minute amendment to the Governor’s budget bill on Monday that would eliminate $1.2 billion in state funding for higher education and college’s from Pennsylvania’s state budget. Rep. Mario Scavello (R-Monroe) a member of the Appropriations Committee, said he feels this funding cut is an unfortunate tactic by House Democrats that will hold college students hostage in order to put pressure on lawmakers.