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Pennsylvania lawmakers on Friday passed a 2008-09 state budget - and a flurry of other legislation - four days into state government's new fiscal year.
The deal was wrapped up early enough for some lawmakers to make it back to their home districts in time for the Independence Day fireworks.
The nearly $28.3 billion budget plan will boost spending by $1 billion over the just-ended fiscal year, with more than 90 percent of that increase going to education and social services.
Public schools will get an unprecedented $274 million increase, or 5.5 percent, for operations and instruction. An additional $65 million, or 40 percent more, will go to charter schools.
The Department of Public Welfare budget will rise by $633 million, or 6.6 percent, with huge increases in primary and nursing home care for the poor, services for the mentally retarded, child welfare services and help for the working poor who have children.
Payments on debt will rise by nearly $50 million, or more than 5 percent.
Details of the $28.3 billion Pa. budget.:
BUDGET
- Almost $28.3 billion for fiscal year 2008-09, which began Tuesday.
- $1 billion increase, or 4 percent, over last year's approved spending; $72.4 million less than Gov. Rendell's original proposal.
- Does not require any broad-based tax or fee increases; does not dip into state's budget reserve.
- Uses more than $500 million in one-time sources to prop up flagging revenue.
- Agreement before fiscal year's end averted threatened furloughs of 25,000 state workers.
SPENDING
- $274 million increase, or 5.5 percent, for public schools; each district gets at least 3 percent more.
- $65 million increase, or 40 percent, for charter schools.
- $633 million increase, or 6.6 percent, for the Department of Public Welfare, including health care for the poor, families with children and services for the mentally retarded and disabled.
- Nearly $50 million increase, or more than 5 percent, for debt payments.
- $90.6 million cut, or 20 percent, in state contribution to school employee pension fund.
- $45 million cut, or 50 percent, in program to buy laptop computers for high school classrooms.
BORROWING
- $800 million, repaid from slot-machine gambling revenues, for dams and water and sewer systems over two years.
- $500 million, repaid from electric utility gross receipts tax revenue, for alternative energy projects over two years.
- $800 million, repaid from general tax revenues, for civic redevelopment projects over four years.
- $350 million, repaid from motorist fees and taxes, to fix about 400 of the state's most dangerous bridges.
- $15 million, repaid from motorist fees and taxes, to improve airports and railways.
- $400 million, repaid from general tax revenues, to improve water and sewer systems (must be approved by voters).
Sources: Governor's Office, Senate Republicans, House Democrats
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
While I do believe in helping those who truly NEED assistance, I find it has become a way of life for many. While the unwed moms (2 kids, thats IT, YOUR CUT OFF) and unemployed dads (WHY-MOST, and I say MOST are healthy as hell) collect this assistance, I have also seen boyfriends and girlfriends of the above mentioned with ROLLS of $20's pay cash behind some of the people who use the EBT Card, when Food Stamps can't cover it. YEP, I work in a conveinence store... Thru only the fault of PA, it happens! ALL THE TIME! If you are gonna increase DPW by 6.6%, IT NEEDS TO BE THRU ENFORCEMENT & PROSECUTION! NOT BENEFITS!!! Yeah, rewards are in order when they are, but not for lying and cheating. CUT LIARS-CHEATS OFF! PROSECUTE THEM! PUBLISH THEIR NAMES IN THE PAPAER! Oh well, Like I care, I expect to be cussed, fussed over, and maybe threatened, but the FACT is I see it daily! I AM POOR, but I don't qualify! If I weren't poor, I would still work 70 hrs a week as it has become my way of life, and it is rewarding. It only irks me when PA is SLOPPY with taxpayers money as they certainly are now! Including the GOV, we got a bunch of LAZY Marshmallows! Lets get some NEW blood and thought into the state, like younger people interested in their future!!! With out BORROWING for all the frills, all the time! Peace to all!
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