Source for Photo: Danielle Smith – Keystone News Service, Credit for Photo: Courtesy of (Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock), Danielle Smith – Keystone News Service, Caption and Credit for Photo: Child with poor appetite during the meal. Concept of lack of appetite. Credit for Photo: Courtesy of (Kleberpicui/Adobe Stock)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) As the Senate passes President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill and sends it back to the House, Pennsylvania educators warn in its current form, the bill would slash billions from safety-net programs that affect families across the state. The bill’s detractors say the cuts would help fund trillions of dollars in tax breaks that mostly benefit the wealthy – and add trillions to the nation’s budget deficit. Christopher Lilienthal with the Pennsylvania State Education Association says cuts proposed for health insurance and nutrition programs would affect many Pennsylvania families – including the one in four residents who relies on Medicaid for health care. Lilienthal notes Democratic Senator John Fetterman has voiced strong opposition to the legislation, while G-O-P Senator David McCormick’s position remains pivotal. Pennsylvania’s 17 representatives in the U-S House take another look at the bill this week, under pressure from President Trump to get it to his desk by July 4th.