Budget Watch

State of the Budget July 2, 2008

Governor Rendell and state legislative leaders agreed on the framework for a state budget agreement on the evening of June 28. According to news accounts, the 2009-10 fiscal plan will reduce the Governor's February request by somewhere around $130 million through a 1.3% across the board cut in the proposed budget for most programs.

Historic Education and Health Care Reforms Remain Bargaining Chips in Budget Negotiations

The calendar is closing in on June 30, the end of the 2007-08 fiscal year with legislators and the Governor furiously trying to reach agreement on a spending plan for 2008-09 In February, the Governor proposed to increase General Fund spending by 4.2% to $28.3 billion. Major initiatives included:

National Organization Ranks Pennsylvania 33rd in Proposed Spending Growth for FY 07-08 Commonwealth Lags Nation In Spending Increases For Third Straight Year

A report by the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) ranks Pennsylvania's proposed spending increase 33rd in the county, and places the Governor's proposed 3.6% spending plan below the national average of 4.2 %. Governors of traditionally low spending states, including Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas have proposed larger spending increases than Governor Ed Rendell.

123 What are We Fighting For

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Toward a Fair PA Tax System

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The Budget End Game, Revenue Options to Fund Priorities

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Transportation Funding Options

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State Spending Claims Overheated

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