Area lawmakers react to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget:

State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon: “The governor reiterated many of the same old tax-and-spend policies of the last seven years that have been so unpopular with most Pennsylvanians. He is asking for a massive spending increase of $6.2 billion, which works out to an unbelievable $17 million in state spending a day. What the governor and Democrats are seeking is simply unrealistic and unstainable. It’s a wish list.

“That said, one of the governor’s proposals I did like was the Level Up education initiative which would make extra money available to school districts that have been historically underfunded.”

Rep. Jack Rader, R-Monroe: “The governor and Democrats want to spend a lot of money next year, but it just won’t work. I do not know anyone who can spend 16.6% more from year to year and still survive financially. If I did that as a small-business owner, I would be in trouble. It would not be prudent.

“I do think we need to boost spending in certain areas, and I don’t disagree with some of his proposals. However, we simply cannot have a budget with that sort of spending increase. It will be bad for Pennsylvania. Once you increase spending by that much on your budgetary line items, you never decrease it again. That leads to budget issues in future years whn the federal dollars are no longer there.”

Sen. David G. Argall, R-Schuylkill/Berks: “Our lame-duck governor, with less than a year left in his final term, is now proposing to leave Pennsylvanians with a multi-billion dollar deficit after he leaves office. We need to make responsible decisions now so this governor cannot force a tax increase on all of us after he has left the Capitol.

“One perfect example, after seven years of fighting my legislation to eliminate school property taxes, is his new recommendation for one-time property tax rebates which would end when he leaves the Capitol building. He’s focused on short-term political gimmicks instead of working with us to provide a permanent solution.”

Rep. Zach Mako, R-Lehigh/Northampton: “I have serious concerns surrounding this proposal. It increases spending by $6.2 billion over the current fiscal year. We have our fiscal house in order. Now, because the governor is in his final term, he wants to burn it down.

“Time and time again, I have heard from constituents about problems with our unemployment system. Nowhere in his proposal do I see anything to address this. Instead, he wants to spend $30 million to increase access to child care facilities open only to state employees in Harrisburg. This is despite the fact that he is allowing most state employees to continue to telework. At the same time, child care facilities in my district have been shut down due to his pandemic rules and he is not adding any money for child care assistance.”