Pennsylvania Governor Corbett Urges Small-Business Leaders to Back Budget, Proposed Reforms

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today urged Pennsylvania's small-business community to support his proposed budget and other legislation that will improve the state's economic climate.

"We need a balanced budget; a document that tells employers and the citizens who work for them that Pennsylvania does not run on debt," Corbett told the National Federation of Independent Business' 2011 Small Business Day meeting in Harrisburg. "We need to let businesses across the nation and around the world know that Pennsylvania is run sensibly."

Corbett's proposed budget contains no tax or fee increases and cuts government spending by 3 percent, most of which is done by consolidating programs, targeting inefficiencies and reducing or eliminating discretionary financial grants.  

The governor said closing a $4.2 billion deficit resulting from the end of federal stimulus funding is the top priority in the 2011-12 fiscal year.

"A $4.2 billion revenue shortfall isn't something we can simply wish away. It has to be cut away, and there are no easy choices when you are cutting that much," Corbett said. "There's no way to do it painlessly. But the only worse option would be to do nothing."

The governor's proposed budget refocuses and streamlines the state's support of free enterprise by supporting programs that will encourage economic growth and job creation, while supporting incentives for new and creative ideas to improve business and industry.

The governor also urged small-business owners to support proposed tort reforms and efforts to phase-out the state's Capital Stock and Franchise tax; two steps he said would improve Pennsylvania's economic competitiveness and attract new jobs.

Learn more about Governor Corbett's proposed budget online at www.pa.gov.

Media contact:  Kevin Harley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor