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Updated 16 minutes ago
HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing a $32.3 billion spending package built off a combination of $2 billion in funding cuts and tax increases for next year's state budget.
Significant pieces of the governor's proposed $571.5 million spending plan, a 1.8 percent increase above the current year, will require approval from the Republican-controlled state Legislature.
Wolf, a Democrat, is proposing a 6.5 percent natural gas severance tax and impact fee credit expected to generate $293 million. Additionally, Wolf's plan anticipates roughly $489.8 million in tax loophole eliminations. His plan also relies on the Legislature approving a minimum wage increase to $12 per hour, which generates a net revenue gain of $95 million.
The proposal boosts state basic education funding by $100 million, special education funding by $25 million, and pre-K and Head Start by $75 million. Community colleges and so-called “state-related” universities such as Pitt and Penn State would be flat-funded. State-owned universities including California University and Slippery Rock would see a funding boost.
Budget Secretary Randy Albright says the state is not going to end the current fiscal year with a budget in balance. The administration proposal includes rolling a $605 million shortfall into the next fiscal year. That shortfall estimate is lower than the Independent Fiscal Office's projected $715 million shortfall for the current year.
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