State Rep. Bryan Cutler of the 100th District spoke to the Octorara Area School Board Feb. 15 and told residents he wants to be involved in issues facing Octorara.
Cutler said his office will be of service to Octorara residents whether or not they live in the 100th District. Cutler was elected by residents in Christiana Borough and Sadsbury Township. State Rep. Tom Houghton was elected by Chester County residents of the Octorara district.
Cutler told school board members he has just joined the House Education Committee and his office is looking at how to fight unfunded education mandates, how to restore to school districts money lost to Clean and Green, state pension reform, and returning about $2 million budgetary funds which are handed out to prisoners.
When asked if he thought this year's state budget would pass on schedule, Cutler remarked: "I sure hope so. It was shameful the way the process happened last time. The economy was removed from the situation and it became more about egos."
Cutler said Gov. Ed Rendell has told legislators he would like to have the budget signed and sealed by the middle to end of June.
Cutler also warned state and education pension benefits may have to be cut and he is worried about the 20 percent increase many school districts are facing to make up for the crash of 2008. However, Cutler also warned school board members to be wary of fixes which are "actuarial gimmicks" similar to "playing kick the can down the road."
The Republican legislator said he considers education to be a part of the state's infrastructure.
"It's roads, bridges and the education of our citizens," Cutler said of the state's infrastructure.