Rep. Julie Harhart, R-Lehigh/Northampton said the state Legislature's final budget dedicated $10.5 billion for K-12 education, including an increase of $20 million for special education, which is receiving its first increase in six years, as well as $100 million in new money for block grants that gives schools the flexibility to direct money where they need it.

In the 183rd District, the Northern Lehigh School District received $10,539,414, which is a 4.5 percent increase of $454,279.Harhart said making sure children start out on the right foot and are adequately prepared for school is vital, which is why we the Legislature appropriated $97.28 million for Pre-K Counts and $237.52 million for early intervention services.Community colleges are set to receive an additional $3.5 million in funding and a new scholarship program, called Ready to Succeed, will dedicate $5 million to enable more middle-income students to attend college.To enhance public safety across the state, the budget includes funding to train four new Pennsylvania State Police cadet classes, which will put 350 additional troopers on the streets.The budget also includes an increase of $13.28 million to provide home and community-based services for an additional 1,250 individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism. A 10 percent increase in funding will benefit the appropriation for domestic violence and rape crisis centers across the state.Harhart said a special cause close to her heart is an appropriation of $2 million for the state's Children's Advocacy Centers, which provide comprehensive treatment and services under one roof for abused children. This allocation builds on the funding Harhart secured through a new law which uses an increase in the cost for duplicate birth certificates to create a reliable funding stream to support the centers.She said the state budget is a complex document that accomplishes a lot of the items Pennsylvania residents have expressed are their top priorities. The budget is a 1.8 percent increase over the 2013-14 budget.