August 27, 2009, 3:52 pm
Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon) and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne) held a press conference this afternoon to express their anger and disappointment that the Senate Republican leadership has once again lowered its proposed spend number from $27.5 billion to $27.1 billion. Rep. McCall said that the proposal by Senate Republican leadership yesterday proves that previous discussions have not been “genuine talks,” and that he was insulted by Senate Republican leadership insinuating that the new proposal was the “first step” towards a budget agreement. Rep. McCall and Rep. Eachus also discussed sources of sustainable-recurring revenue, HB 1828, and how the two leaders would now proceed to call back the conference committee on HB 1416 next week.
Check the Capitol Toolbox later for more information.
June 10, 2009, 9:50 am
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a public hearing to review the Medicaid base rate and to discuss the financial situation of the commonwealth’s hospitals. DPW Secretary Estelle Richman discussed the efforts of DPW to formulate a new rate system in the face of budget cuts. Carolyn Scanlan of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania discussed the current state of Medicaid reimbursement as well as the harm that would be caused by further budget cuts. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.
May 1, 2009, 4:18 pm
The Revenue Department confirmed Friday afternoon that revenue numbers for April were $941.5 million less than expected, leaving total revenue for the fiscal year $2.6 billion below estimate thus far.
Although the Revenue Department did not project a final budget deficit for the year, House and Senate Appropriations Committees have now pegged the number at $3 billion, up $400 million from last estimate.
The Department reported April’s person income tax revenue was $651.4 million below estimate, and the month’s corporation tax haul was $123.2 million less than expected.
“Tax revenues in April are sobering evidence of the harsh effect the national recession has had on Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses,†Gov. Ed Rendell said in a statement. “Though Pennsylvania’s personal income tax rate is one of the lowest in the nation, it still accounts for nearly 40 percent of our General Fund revenues, and that category alone was 30 percent below estimate.â€
The expanding deficit likely exposes already sharp divisions between House Democrats and Senate Republicans about how to bridge the gap. Evans’ spokeswoman Barb Fellencer acknowledged the problem the deficit poses but said the state still needs to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
“We want to make sure the state’s safety net remains in place,â€
Continue reading Revenue collection update
February 23, 2009, 5:22 pm
The Senate Appropriations Committee closed out its first day of budget hearings with Budget Secretary Mary Soderberg, acting Revenue Secretary Steve Stetler, and the PA Lottery this afternoon. Questions focused around the grim budget outlook for the state, both this year and beyond. Among a number of other concerns, new Appropriations Chair Jake Corman (R-Centre) confessed he is worried about the implications of a structural deficit in future years. Check the Capitol Toolbox later on this evening for the full story.
January 22, 2009, 12:44 pm
Governor Rendell today announced that revenue projections are continuing to fall short and he now estimates the budget deficit to be $2.3 billion. The governor outlined his plan for filling this gap at a press conference in his reception room. The complete story will be available in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon.
June 17, 2008, 10:47 pm
Rendell Announces State Energy Initiatives to Reduce Energy Use and Save Money
Good Schools Pennsylvania Hosts “Saving Whoville”
Metcalfe Proposes DPW Budget Cut To Fund Transportation Improvements
Pennsylvania Takes A Swing Against Breast Cancer
NonProfit Caucus For Charities & Foundations
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