O’Brien satisfied with
first budget on his watch

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Pennsylvania House Speaker Dennis O’Brien, in his first year heading the chamber, is happy with the final outcome of the budget process.
O’Brien (R-169th dist.), who presides over a House with a 102-101 Democratic majority, supported the package that passed last week and was signed by Gov. Ed Rendell.
Specifically, O’Brien likes the $10 million for autism intervention and services, more than triple last year’s $3 million allocation. He’s been the leading advocate in the House for people with autism.
"It’s personally gratifying to me to see our state government step up in a meaningful way to bring new hope to thousands of families," he said.
Some of the other budget items he championed were increased funding for cancer institutes and to reduce the waiting list for mental retardation services and placements.
O’Brien also supported business tax cuts, $800 million for an expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, tax credits for film producers shooting movies in Pennsylvania and an extension for a program that allows taxpayers to donate money to breast cancer research on their state income tax form.
In addition, the speaker’s office received a little more than $1 million to keep it independent of either party caucus.
"This is not about the current occupant of the speaker’s office," O’Brien said. "Financial independence of the office will result in a lasting improvement in the fair and impartial operations of the House."
The $27.2 billion budget passed the House by a vote of 140-63 and the Senate 46-2. It hikes spending 4.4 percent from last year.
All local House members voted for the budget except Reps. Tom Murt (R-152nd dist.) and Tony Payton (D-179th dist.).
Payton explained that his button malfunctioned and that he immediately stood up to correct the record for the official journal. He strongly supported the additional funding for job training and the School District of Philadelphia.
Murt backed the increased education funding and opposed proposed tax increases, but he had several problems with the budget. He thinks the blueprint doesn’t provide enough money for hazardous site cleanups and is unhappy with the budget cut for the Gettysburg-based Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Association, which provides free professional advocacy for families.
He also thinks money for a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins and the tax credit for filmmakers would be better spent on education or the state’s agriculture and small manufacturing industries.
Sens. Tina Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.) and Shirley Kitchen (D-3rd dist.) voted for the budget, while Sen. Mike Stack (D-5th dist.) did not vote because of a military commitment.
Stack favored the budget because it kept spending to a modest increase while not raising taxes. He’s fondest of the increased spending for education, child care, special needs services and health care. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com