PRINTER'S NO. 4416
No. 694 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY SOLOBAY, DeWEESE, COSTA, FRANKEL, GRUCELA, BEBKO-
JONES, BELARDI, BELFANTI, BUNT, CAPPELLI, COLAFELLA,
CORRIGAN, DALEY, D. EVANS, GEORGE, HARHAI, JAMES, LAUGHLIN,
McGEEHAN, MELIO, PETRARCA, PISTELLA, READSHAW, ROONEY,
SAINATO, SCRIMENTI, THOMAS, TIGUE, WALKO, WOJNAROSKI,
G. WRIGHT, YOUNGBLOOD AND JOSEPHS, OCTOBER 8, 2002
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS,
OCTOBER 8, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Congress of the United States to quickly pass the
2 State Budget Relief Act of 2001, HR 3414.
3 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania anticipates a $1.8
4 billion revenue shortfall for the 2003-2004 fiscal year due to
5 the economic downturn, which could rise substantially due to
6 additional State costs for homeland security and the loss of
7 other State revenues due to tax cut provisions included in
8 Federal economic stimulus legislation; and
9 WHEREAS, Because of the loss of revenue as a result of the
10 recession and the new demands for public services since
11 September 11, 2001, State and local governments are facing deep
12 cuts in vital public services, including public health systems,
13 education and health care; and
14 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is currently
15 experiencing a 5.4% unemployment rate; and
1 WHEREAS, The numbers of displaced workers increase the demand
2 for additional Medicaid coverage and other essential safety net
3 services and place additional strain on the existing budget
4 deficit; and
5 WHEREAS, State and local spending accounted for close to 12%
6 of our nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2000, the
7 slowing of state economies having affected all industries; and
8 WHEREAS, Medicaid, though provided through a Federal-state
9 partnership, accounts for approximately 16% of the Commonwealth
10 budget; and
11 WHEREAS, If no additional Federal funding is received by
12 Pennsylvania, we will be forced to reduce benefits and
13 eligibility to our most vulnerable citizens; and
14 WHEREAS, The Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
15 provides an efficient means to distribute aid to states with
16 minimal administrative costs; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
18 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress to pass a
19 temporary increase in Medicaid funding to provide immediate aid
20 to states facing deficit budgets and increased costs to their
21 Medicaid programs; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Congress
23 to quickly pass the State Budget Relief Act of 2001, HR 3414, or
24 any temporary increase in Medicaid funding to assist our State
25 in its budget crisis; and be it further
26 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
27 the presiding officers of each house of Congress, to the
28 Pennsylvania congressional delegation and to Governor Mark S.
29 Schweiker.
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