Venkat casts ‘yes’ vote for 2024-25 budget

Cites benefits to schools, families, small businesses

Rep. Arvind Venkat    July 12, 2024 | 10:59 AM

HARRISBURG, July 12 – State Rep. Arvind Venkat issued the following statement regarding his support for the new Pennsylvania state budget.

“I was happy to vote for the new state budget, which makes a $1.3 billion investment in our public schools and will make a positive difference for communities in Allegheny County and in the North Hills suburbs of Pittsburgh.

“The new budget invests money in our Avonworth, Hampton and North Allegheny school districts; bolsters resources for first responders, police, fire and EMS workers; and will help ensure that hospitals are able to stay open and that no one will go bankrupt from receiving health care.

“As your state representative, I am focused on making health care more affordable and accessible, investing in public schools and first responders, and making sure our economic environment is thriving. The new budget promises to advance those goals. It also addresses the needs of small businesses and working families through provisions that will allow businesses to deduct net operating losses and contribute toward the child care expenses so many working parents have.

“While no budget is perfect and requires some compromise by both sides, I believe the new plan invests strategically in ways that will improve quality of life in our community – without adding any new taxes. That’s a budget I can support.”