State Budget and Tax Policy

$2 Billion in Business Tax Breaks Come at Expense of Schools, Communities

May 22, 2012

Next year, Pennsylvania will spend $2.4 billion on business tax breaks. That amount has tripled over the last 10 years and does not count the hundreds of millions of dollars lost annually to corporate tax loopholes.

April Tax Collections Stronger than Expected, Improving Revenue Outlook

May 9, 2012

After lackluster collections in the first half of the 2011-12 fiscal year, big revenue months March and April surged past estimates, narrowing the state’s revenue shortfall for the fiscal year.

Senate Budget Reflects Deep Concerns about Cuts But Doesn't Restore Enough of What PA Values

May 9, 2012

"We applaud the Senate for advancing a budget that reflects Pennsylvanians' deep concerns about the cost of Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed cuts, but this budget does not go far enough to restore the investments that citizens value," said Better Choices for Pennsylvania co-chairs in a media statement today.

PA Senate Approves State Budget Plan

May 9, 2012

The Pennsylvania Senate approved a $27.6 billion budget plan today by a vote of 39-8. The plan improves upon the budget proposed by Governor Corbett, but deep cuts to education and health services remain.

Hundreds Rally at Capitol to Save Critical Services for PA Families

May 7, 2012

Pennsylvanians called on Governor Corbett and the General Assembly to restore funding for General Assistance and critical county services for children and people with disabilities.

Good News on Revenue: A Look at the Independent Fiscal Office's Estimate

May 4, 2012

Pennsylvania’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its revenue estimate, predicting a smaller revenue shortfall for the current year and more robust revenue collections for 2012-13.

Statement: Bill Won't Close Tax Loopholes But Will Erode Quality of PA Schools and Services

May 2, 2012

“The debate over House Bill 2150 made clear that this bill was never about closing corporate tax loopholes," Sharon Ward said in a statement. "Instead, it will put in place a billion dollars in corporate tax cuts that will cripple the commonwealth’s ability to provide education, health care and human services for Pennsylvania families."

Commentary: Pa.'s Tax Dodgers Don't Deserve a Break

May 1, 2012

"For too long, big companies have benefited from Pennsylvania lawmakers’ refusal to close tax loopholes," Sharon Ward writes in a Philadelphia Inquirer op-ed today. "... Unfortunately, one proposed cure may be worse than the disease."

HB 2150 Is Too Expensive for Our Children and Our Future

May 1, 2012

Proposed corporate tax cuts will do little to boost the economy but will drain needed resources for education, hospitals and infrastructure in Pennsylvania. Those costs skyrocket if an amendment is adopted reducing the corporate net income tax rate from 9.99% to 6.99% in 2013.

State Budget and Tax Policy

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