PRINTER'S NO. 2192
No. 261 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY TARTAGLIONE, LAVALLE, LOGAN, COSTA, MUSTO,
HELFRICK, HUGHES, KITCHEN, ERICKSON, BODACK, WAGNER, O'PAKE,
BOSCOLA, STACK, MELLOW, KUKOVICH AND ORIE, JUNE 28, 2002
REFERRED TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, JUNE 28, 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 is facing a deficit
4 of $1.2 billion due to the recession, which could rise
5 substantially due to additional State costs for homeland
6 security and the loss of other State revenues due to tax cut
7 provisions included in Federal economic stimulus legislation;
8 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
16 WHEREAS, The numbers of displaced workers increase the demand
17 for additional Medicaid coverage and other essential safety net
1 services and place additional strain on the existing budget
2 deficit; and
3 WHEREAS, State and local spending accounted for close to 12%
4 of our nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2000, the
5 slowing of state economies having affected all industries; and
6 WHEREAS, Medicaid, though provided through a Federal-state
7 partnership, accounts for approximately 16% of the Commonwealth
8 budget; and
9 WHEREAS, If no additional Federal funding is received by
10 Pennsylvania, we will be forced to reduce benefits and
11 eligibility to our most vulnerable citizens; and
12 WHEREAS, The Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP)
13 provides an efficient means to distribute aid to states with
14 minimal administrative costs; therefore be it
15 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
16 urge the Congress to pass a temporary increase in Medicaid
17 funding to provide immediate aid to states facing deficit
18 budgets and increased costs to their Medicaid programs; and be
19 it further
20 RESOLVED, That the Senate urge the Congress to quickly pass
21 the State Budget Relief Act of 2001, HR 3414, or any temporary
22 increase in Medicaid funding to assist our State in its budget
23 crisis; and be it further
24 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
25 the presiding officers of each house of Congress, to the
26 Pennsylvania congressional delegation and to Governor Mark S.
27 Schweiker.
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