Lt. Gov. Talks to Lower Bucks Business People

Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, a Levittown native, told a group of Lower Bucks County business people Friday that despite “significant challenges” he and Gov. Tom Corbett are making Pennsylvania a better place.

The Republican, who is running for reelection with Corbett, said during a gathering at the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce in Fairless Hills that his boss’ proposed 2015 budget focuses on improving the state’s situation. Much of Cawley’s speech on Friday focused on education, transportation, the economy and healthcare.

Under the governor’s proposed budget, the state will spend more money on public education than ever before, Cawley said. He also touted the $10.1 billion in education spending and spoke of proposed grants that would go to education, not employee costs.

Cawley also discussed the massive amount of money proposed, some of which has been approved, to upgrade the state’s transportation infrastructure. Before the audience, Cawley listed several Bucks County road projects that are planned.

“We have to continue to set the stage to prove to the rest of the world that Pennsylvania is open for business,” the lieutenant governor told the crowd. He then added that the Corbett administration was trying to make it easier for small businesses by reducing their taxes.

Cawley spoke for a little under an hour and also touched on the topic of healthcare. He touted the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, also known as CHIP.

The rising state employee pension crisis was also briefly discussed, and Cawley said something needed to be done or it will begin sucking money away from road projects and mental health services.

Toward the end, several people in the audience asked questions of the state’s number two man.

In response to a question about liquor prioritization, Cawley said the issue is still being discussed in Harrisburg.

Langhorne-based State Rep. Frank Farry, Bristol Township-based State Rep. Tina Davis, Bensalem-based State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo attended the event along with representatives from State Senator Tommy Tomlinson and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick’s office.