Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg

Contact: Brent Sailhamer
Director of Government Affairs, ABC PA
717.653.8106 or brent@abckeystone.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 7, 2018

(HARRISBURG, PA.) On February 6, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf outlined his proposal for the 2018-2019 Commonwealth budget, detailing his priorities for spending and revenue for the coming year. The $33 billion spending plan represents a nearly $1 billion increase over the current year’s enacted budget, providing additional funding for public education and increased efforts in workforce development and job training. The plan is supported by existing revenues and the addition of a severance tax on natural gas.

For ABC members throughout Pennsylvania, this proposal is encouraging in that it provides a strong commitment to apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs,” said G. David Sload, President-CEO of the Keystone chapter. “ABC has provided these programs for Pennsylvania’s construction industry since 1968, and it’s gratifying to see the public sector finally addressing the importance of these invaluable workforce development tools.”

The proposal includes nearly $1 billion in additional spending over the current budget, a 3.1% increase in expenditures. “Despite such a strong commitment to workforce development, we’re dismayed to see continued and unbridled spending in Harrisburg,” said Pete Gum, President of the Western Pennsylvania chapter. “Our members’ lives are affected every day by the natural gas development this state is experiencing, and balancing a spending plan on the back of a single industry is not the way to continue to grow our business climate.”

While the construction industry is experiencing slow regrowth from the crippling recession a decade ago, I’m hopeful that the Governor will work with the legislature to reign in this tax-and-spend approach to recovery,” said Dr. Marianne Hazel, President of the Central Pennsylvania chapter.

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Within Pennsylvania, ABC PA is comprised of five chapters that offer construction related skills training and advocate for free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy throughout the Commonwealth. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters nationally help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. Visit us at www.abcpa.org.