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2018 Pennsylvania Budget Summit Resources

Friday, April 6th, 2018

Includes resources and presentation slides from the March 6 program about Governor Wolf’s 2018-19 budget proposal.
www.pennbpc.org/2018-pennsylvania-budget-summit-resources


Pennsylvania Budget Meetings

Tuesday, November 10th, 2015

The Pennsylvania Budget for FY2015-16 is now long overdue, and meetings with be held in several communities during November with local members of the State Legislature invited to hear from their constituents.

  • LEHIGH VALLEY: Thursday, November 19, 10:00 to 11:00 am
    Round Table Public Meeting
    Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living, 713 N 13th Street, Allentown
  • STATE CAPITOL: Monday , November 16, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
    Education Budget Action Day (Organized by PCCY)
    Capitol Building, Harrisburg. Details are available here.
  • STATE CAPITOL: Tuesday , November 17, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
    Human Services Budget Rally (Organized by The Alliance of Community Service Providers)
    Capitol Building, Harrisburg

Pennsylvania “Property Tax Relief” and SB-76

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2014

A bill pending in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, SB 76, proposes to eliminate property taxes in Pennsylvania. This bill, like so many before it, is not likely to pass this year but conversation will continue. The property tax has been a constant source of debate in Harrisburg. At first glance, homeowners, especially those on fixed income, might see this bill as a welcome break for their budgets. A closer examination of the bill yields some deep concerns. (more…)


Pennsylvania Budget Debates FY2013-14

Wednesday, June 26th, 2013

Since Pennsylvania’s budget year begins on July 1st, the State Legislature always scrambles to finish up the budget process by the end of June (and occasionally comes close to succeeding.) Among the contentious budget items this session are:

  • medicaid expansion – will Governor Corbett accept federal funding (under “ObamaCare”) to expand the Medicaid coverage to
  • education funding – declining state funding for basic education has more teacher layoffs around the state (Allentown School District is cutting 151 staff, including 127 teachers)
  • state budget / corporate tax policy – while funding for schools and human services have been cut back for the past several years, Pennsylvania has also been cutting corporate taxes? Does it make sense to phase out the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax next year while there is a projected budget shortfall? (see, e.g., PACC, or PennBPC )
  • state pension proposals – pensions for teachers and state employees have been under-funded for a number of years. How should the deficit be addressed?
  • liquor privatization – should private businesses be licensed to replace state liquor stores? What are the benefits and costs to Pennsylvania’s residents?
  • transportation funding – should Pennsylvania raise additional funds to repair highways and bridges, and public transit improvements … by raising gas taxes and license fees?

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center has presented several webinars on key budget issues this spring, for which resources and recordings are posted here.