Robbins raises concerns about budget costs

SHARON, Pa. -- Sen. Robert Robbins of Greenville, R-50th, is pleased with some of the provisions in Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed $22.7 billion budget, but he has some concerns.
Robbins said Rendell is proposing borrowing $1 billion more on top of the $2 billion the state borrowed last year to foster economic development.
That will raise Pennsylvania's annual debt service payments from $669 million to $779 million, Robbins said, warning that the debt could become burdensome to future generations.
Robbins was also critical of a proposed $4 per ton fee for garbage disposal. That's a cost that adds to the current tax burden, he said.
Finally, Robbins said Rendell hasn't made restoration of Pennsylvania's Rainy Day Fund a priority. The fund is a pool of money set aside to forestall future tax increases.
The senator said he likes Rendell's plan to continue expanding the Working Family Tax Exemption, increase public school subsidies through a new Accountability Block Grant program, give libraries a 10 percent funding increase, continue to phase out the capital stock and franchise tax and declare a sales tax holiday for the purchase of energy-efficient appliances.
Robbins noted that Rendell stated his support for the restoration of the former Westinghouse plant in Sharon. Developer James E. Winner Jr. is converting much of the old plant into an industrial park.