With an eye toward more funding for public education, school safety and career and technical education, I cast an affirmative vote June 30 for the 2013-14 state budget.

The final state budget totals $28.376 billion, an increase of 2.3 percent over the recently concluded fiscal year.

It calls for no general fund tax increases and provides critical support for the core functions of government.

This budget responds to the calls from Pennsylvania taxpayers to keep spending within the amount of overall revenue available.

It is credible in that this plan was approved on time and for the third year in a row, and it is sustainable.

The budget prioritizes education, with more than $10 billion set aside for kindergarten through 12th-grade schools.

Included is a $122 million increase for basic education.

Locally, school districts will receive the following state support:

·Northwestern Lehigh School District, $9,511,267, an increase of $251,126.

·Parkland School District, $20,067,847, an increase of $1,217,181.

·Brandywine Heights Area School District, $7,292,815, an increase of $208,389.

·Salisbury Township School District, $4,900,590, an increase of $169,981.

·East Penn School District, $21,342,203, an increase of $865,409.

I am especially pleased to see $6.5 million in additional money for the Safe Schools Initiative.

As chairman of the House Select Committee on School Safety and Security, I have led three public hearings and have heard from a wide range of experts on the need for greater financial resources to keep kids safe.

In addition, there is $3 million for grants to career and technical schools to purchase new equipment in an effort to expand career and technical education opportunities.

Career and technical education plays a dynamic role in economic competitiveness and ensures America's future in the global economy.

The globalization of business and industry requires workers to acquire core knowledge and skills that can be applied and quickly upgraded and adapted in a wide and rapidly changing variety of work settings.

There continues to be a strong demand for employees with these skill levels, and a state investment in these types of opportunities is worth making.

Aside from education and job creation, the state budget increases funding for health and human services, the environment and agriculture, public safety and government transparency and accountability.

More information about the state budget is available on my website at RepGaryDay.com.