2015 – 2016 COMMONWEALTH BUDGET

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January 11 Pressure off, Pennsylvania's budget fight could be on ice HARRISBURG — For the first time since July, billions in electronic money transfers began rocketing out of the Pennsylvania Treasury to school districts, county governments and state vendors... - AP

Governor, lawmakers to renew fray over Pa. gas tax Pennsylvania's natural gas industry and lawmakers in Harrisburg are preparing for another battle over a severance tax on production, even before the current state budget is settled. “It's going to return in a big way as the budget situation remains completely unresolved,” Muhlenberg College political scientist... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pennsylvania at crossroads Today, Pennsylvania faces a crossroads. We all know our commonwealth has a massive structural deficit after years of Republican budgets built on gimmicks. It's time to face the facts and get our fiscal house in order. Instead of passing a fiscally sound budget and finishing the work they were... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

State budget needs Pennsylvania needs a budget that invests in our children's future and creates a stable financial environment for our commonwealth so it can grow in the future. It's time to stop the games and gimmicks and get back to work. That's why Governor Wolf made the right decision to line item veto... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Tally full cost of legislative malpractice After a series of credit downgrades for the state government and chaos for public school districts and social service agencies, Pennsylvania’s government still is without an actual budget as the state staggers into a legislative election year. The Republican majorities in both houses signed off on a $30- billion-plus,... - Scranton Times

Analysis | Standoff may linger into next budget season HARRISBURG – The state House of Representatives returns to work Monday, but don’t expect that to mean a race to the finish off the state budget. Lawmakers, in fact, could soon be juggling two spending plans – the budget for the current year, which has been locked up in an impasse now in... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Analyst: Pa. Gov’t Likely To Juggle Two Budgets In Months Ahead HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — Pennsylvania may soon to find itself in a situation not seen in decades: a divided government wrestling with a second budget proposal while the first one is still not completed. In late December, Governor Wolf partially signed and partially vetoed a... - KYW News Radio 1060

Wolf subtracts add-ons in state budget veto HARRISBURG — They’ve been called “legislative add-ons” to the state budget. State aid for lupus treatment would total $102,000. Agriculture research would get $1.8 million, heritage parks would draw $2.2 million, and $2.1 million would go to mobile math and science program. Payments to county... - Scranton Times

Schools get some money, await full Pa. budget numbers Local public school officials say payments from the state -- catching them up on funds they should have received over the past six months -- have begun rolling in. And while that relieves immediate financial pressure, some said schools still need a full state budget resolution sooner rather... - York Daily

Delaware County getting paid for human services and gets good bond rating MEDIA >> Delaware County officials have two things to celebrate. On Thursday, county officials announced Delaware County received $33.6 million in funds from the Pennsylvania Treasury to pay human service providers, following a months-long dearth due to the state budget debacle... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Sticking point on Pa.’s budget: finding the money On Dec. 28, Gov. Tom Wolf executed a line-item veto that allowed money to flow to social service agencies and school districts. He could have used his line-item veto when first presented with the budget June 30. I believe this would have provided for a much better negotiating... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

January 10 Schools group sues Pennsylvania over budget fight's holdup of school aid The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is suing Gov. Tom Wolf and the state Legislature, saying it's illegal and unconstitutional to withhold state and federal school aid during a budget impasse... - AP

Westmoreland County senior centers to reopen as state budget impasse eases The five Westmoreland County senior centers that were closed because of the state budget impasse will reopen Thursday now that the long-overdue money has arrived. The Latrobe, Ligonier, Mt. Pleasant, New Alexandria and New Florence centers have been closed since mid-November, as the Area Agency on Aging's... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pressure off, Pennsylvania's budget fight could be on ice For the first time since July, billions in electronic money transfers began rocketing out of the Pennsylvania Treasury to school districts, county governments and state vendors... - AP

January 8 Berks County starting to see state money Reading, PA Berks County has started to receive some of the state aid that was held up during the extended state budget impasse. Ronald M. Rutkowski, first deputy county controller, told the commissioners during their Thursday meeting that Berks received about $21 million in... - Reading Eagle

Rep. Mike Sturla's new natural gas tax proposal would fund pensions State Rep. Mike Sturla says he will propose a tax on natural gas extraction to help pay for state and school pension costs in what will be the latest attempt to tap drillers in the Marcellus Shale region. In a twist, though, the Democrat from Lancaster is trying to appeal to... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Greene County human services starting to receive state fund WAYNESBURG – Much-needed funding is finally trickling into Greene County Human Services Department after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a partial state budget last month, but more problems remain on the horizon. The department has been starved for cash during the state budget impasse... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Wolf drains farm funds, Cooperative Extension HARRISBURG — Collateral damage from the state’s budget standoff is no longer focused at social welfare groups. Wielding his line-item veto, Gov. Tom Wolf has now taken aim at agriculture programs, including the Cooperative Extension Service, held dear to many... - Sunbury Daily Item

Pa. school boards group sues state over holdup of education funds HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania School Boards Association says it will file a lawsuit today asking the courts to force the state to release money owed to schools. The association says it is asking for the timely release of federal and state money owed to school districts and also damages to compensate for... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Report: Pennsylvania ranks near bottom in ability to weather a recession Pennsylvania ranks nearly last among all states in its ability to deal with a recession, according to a report from a Virginia think tank. Based on the state’s general fund and lack of a rainy day fund, the Mercatus Center at George Mason University near Washington, D.C., ranked... - Beaver County Times

Wolf takes jabs at GOP lawmakers in stop in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday continued to rail against Republican legislators after their most recent rejection of a state budget. He made a stop at Alpha-Lab Gear in East Liberty as part of his “Jobs that Pay” tour, promoting investment in Pennsylvania entrepreneurs and... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State sending checks, but budget angst persists HARRISBURG – Relief is on the way. The state Treasury is sending the first of $6 billion worth of checks to school districts, counties and social service groups in light of Gov. Tom Wolf's partial approval of a budget passed by the Legislature before Christmas.... - New Castle News

State funds flowing, Montco cancels loan Montgomery County has canceled a planned $75 million loan and will resume paying human services vendors now that state funds are flowing. The partial spending plan signed by Gov. Wolf on Dec. 30 released crucial funds to schools and counties, but did not address questions of revenue and... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania sued over budget fight's holdup of school aid HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association is suing Gov. Tom Wolf and the state Legislature, saying it's illegal and unconstitutional to withhold state and federal school aid during a budget impasse... - AP

Late budget impacting incumbent lawmakers' plans to seek re-election After serving seven terms in the state House, Rep. John Payne plans to call it quits at the end of this year. Payne, 65, a Republican from Derry Twp., said his decision to not seek an eighth term is not because of any one particular reason but the continued failure to finalize a 2015-16 budget certainly contributed to it.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

January 7 Funding numbers released for school districts waiting on state subsidies Public schools in Lackawanna County will receive $43 million in much-needed state funding, according to a list released Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf’s office. Due to the state budget impasse, schools across the state operated without any state subsidies since the beginning of the 2015-16 school year. Some... - Scranton Times

The elephant in the room: Pa's House Republicans are making their mark(s) on state's divided government Pennsylvania appeared on its way, however grudgingly, to a pre-Christmas budget that was going to require a major increase in broad-based state taxes for the first time since 2003. But a funny thing happened on the way to the governor's desk: the House Republican caucus, for the moment at least, stopped the deal.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

When can we expect a state budget? Next year? | Editorial Ugh. Just one month before Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will deliver his second budget address — it's scheduled for Feb. 9 — Wolf and his Republican opponents in the Legislature have yet to reach a

handshake on the budget year now more than six months old. No matter whom you blame for this failure of leadership, it's important to... - Easton Express-Times

Pennsylvania gets $2B credit line amid budget fight, deficit HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania government is borrowing from the state treasury to tide itself over until spring, officials said Wednesday, as it rushes out billions of dollars held up in an ongoing budget fight between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature... - AP

At long last, nonprofit groups receiving state aid The Marvelous Monkeys, a bunch of toddlers whose group learning and playing stopped when state politicians could not reach a budget agreement, were back at it again this week. Their nook inside Touching the Future LLC in Fleetwood - an early childhood center chock-full of paper letters and numbers, crayons, toy ice cream... - Reading Eagle

Gov. Tom Wolf borrows $2 billion to pay PA bills as report says state's finances stink Gov. Tom Wolf needs a new piggy bank. He broke his on Wednesday, a day after 500 school districts, 67 counties and hundreds of social service nonprofits started receiving some of the $3.3 billion money they were owed after a half-year budget impasse. The Wolf administration expedited those IOUs payments Tuesday as part of a... - Allentown Morning Call

January 6 New year, old issues: Pennsylvania legislative leaders pow-wow on budget Tuesday Legislative leaders were back in Harrisburg Tuesday to recalibrate their positions on the final pieces of the state's budget puzzle. But after multiple sets of meetings, there were no real breakthroughs on the last big logjam: finalizing increases in state aid to schools and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Our view: Get back to work on Pa. budget Several take-aways from the latest development in the state budget fiasco that, at six months and counting, seems endless: Gov. Tom Wolf's decision to sign a $30.3 million budget, but then line- item veto major sections was a smart move. His $23.4 billion stopgap budget kept... - Erie Times- News

With stopgap, Wolf guaranteed a 2016 budget and primary season collision: Analysis So here's one from The Big Book of Unintended Consequences. When Gov. Tom Wolf signed an 11- month-stopgap budget into law last month, he freed up some badly needed cash for school districts and nonprofits that had been struggling to keep the lights on and the programs running.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Patience taxed: Pennsylvanians deserve a complete budget — now Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement that one of Pennsylvania’s reviled business taxes died at the end of 2015 is overshadowed by the uncertainty that persists over the state’s budget and tax plans. The 171- year-old capital stock and franchise tax had been assessed against... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Millions wasted by dysfunctional state politics Pennsylvania is afflicted with a disease that is fostering dysfunctional, bullheaded partisan politics, which is impeding progressive government that benefits the citizens of this commonwealth. We are into the seventh month of a budget impasse that is costing and will... - Beaver County Times

Legislators return to Harrisburg with budget tasks still unfinished HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House and Senate were back in session Tuesday, but not to finish the state budget. The state Constitution requires the General Assembly to meet at noon on the first Tuesday of January, and so both legislative chambers held brief... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Schools start to see state money Mary Wilson, [email protected] Hundreds of school district bookkeepers are breathing a sigh of relief this week. The governor’s partial approval of a state spending plan last week means billions of dollars stoppered up by political gridlock are landing in school bank accounts. The state treasury has expedited the payment of $3.3... - York Daily

Money starts flowing from state, but no final deal yet ERIE, Pa. -- State money from the fiscal year that started July 1 is finally starting to flow into Erie County school districts, Erie County government and social-service agencies. But while they are getting much-needed relief, an end to a budget stalemate -- now in its seventh month -- between Gov. Tom Wolf and the... - Erie Times-News

Pennsylvania lawmakers reconvene, budget status unclear HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania legislators convened briefly Tuesday for the first time since state budget negotiations collapsed just before Christmas, but partisan differences over spending and taxation blocked any clear path to ending a stalemate now in its seventh month... - AP

Pennsylvania colleges borrow as they await funds from state Two Western Pennsylvania community colleges have tapped more than $10 million in bank lines of credit to meet payroll and ensure other classroom and campus operations will continue while waiting for state appropriations now half-a-year overdue. Officials at those institutions, Community College of Allegheny County and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

School funding distribution gives rise to new battle between Wolf, GOP lawmakers In a protracted battle over finalizing the 2015-16 state budget in a divided government, Gov. Tom Wolf's administration managed to pick yet another fight with Republican lawmakers. This one is over how the $2.8 billion of education dollars provided in the $23.4 billion partial state budget signed into law on Dec. 29 are being... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

January 5 Money to flow to Pennsylvania schools, counties and nonprofits impacted by budget stalemate State and federal tax money should start flowing as early as Tuesday to the cash-strapped school districts, counties and human services organizations that suffered the brunt of the protracted budget fight between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature.... - Allentown Morning Call

$3.3 billion in payments to schools, counties, human services organizations available beginning today HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Treasury on Monday announced it has completed sending out all the 16,400 expedited payments totaling nearly $3.3 billion and that school districts, counties and human services organizations could begin to receive their delayed state payments as soon... - Meadville Tribune

Partial state budget raises odds of work on 2 plans at once HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf faces the prospect in February of introducing his budget plan for next year with this year's budget still unresolved, analysts said Monday. After a six-month standoff with the Republican-controlled Legislature, Wolf last week signed a partial $23.4 billion 2015- 16 budget with differences... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pa. budget talks could hit tougher sledding in election year Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's top priority in his first year in office has been to secure a historic funding boost for public education. Six months past the state budget deadline, there still doesn't seem to be a clear path to an agreement with the Republican-held House and Senate that... - Newsworks

Gov. Tom Wolf: Legislators silent on budget Nearly a week after vetoing parts of their budget proposal and urging them to resume negotiations, Gov. Tom Wolf said he's still waiting to hear from lawmakers. “Right now I'm calling on them,” Mr. Wolf said Monday as he toured a Chester County business. “The House and Senate both need to get back... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Chesco withholds $2.6M in tax payments during budget impasse WEST CHESTER>> The decision by the Chester County commissioners last month to stop remitting fees to the state government as a way of protesting the lack of a fully adopted state budget has been

met with silence from the state, county officials said Monday. “I would have been the first to hear,” said county Recorder of... - Pottstown Mercury

Chester County: No word from state on withheld tax payments due to budget impasse WEST CHESTER >> The decision by the Chester County commissioners last month to stop remitting fees to the state government as a way of protesting the lack of a fully adopted state budget has been met with silence from the state, county officials said Monday.... - Phoenixville News

New year's resolution? Not for Pa. budget Nearly a week after a partial veto extended the state's budget impasse into its seventh month, neither Gov. Wolf nor the Republican-led legislature seemed in a rush to strike a deal Monday. Touring a Chester County factory, the governor said he had not talked to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The check is (literally) in the mail to Pa. school districts, contractors, human service organizations; and other state budget news Know that feeling you get when a tax refund lands in your bank account? Accountants for schools, non-profits and businesses that supply or do work for the state relate are about to experience something like it. Pennsylvania Treasurer Timothy Reese said school districts, contractors and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania lawmakers to reconvene, budget status unclear HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania lawmakers are going back to work for the first time since budget negotiations collapsed just before Christmas... - AP

January 4 Wolf: Legislators silent on budget Nearly a week after vetoing parts of their budget proposal and urging them to resume negotiations, Gov. Wolf said he's still waiting to hear from lawmakers. "Right now I'm calling on them," Wolf said Monday as he toured a Chester County business. "The House and Senate both need to get back to work."... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. budget: Schools & counties get wiggle room CHAMBERSBURG -- Gov. Tom Wolf has agreed to sign a state budget, so school districts can breathe a little easier and Franklin County will no longer need to pay for human services from local reserves. The budget solves cash flow problems, but leaves major issues unresolved.... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Schools, counties get funding, but state budget stalemate continues Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania now has a partial budget halfway through its fiscal year. Funding is set to be issued for schools, counties and service agencies. That money has been held up during the six- month impasse, prompting layoffs and service cuts at agencies and threatening to shutter some schools.... - Reading Eagle

Partial budget good news for schools, but maybe not for long HARRISBURG – The partial state budget Gov. Tom Wolf signed this week brought good news for Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts, provided a stage for political venting by the leaders of state government and underscored the bad news: The budget standoff will stretch into a seventh... - AP

Legislators pass budgets more swiftly if there's fallout, review finds Pennsylvania has virtually no consequences when lawmakers fail to pass a budget on time — a dynamic that is unusual among the 50 states, a national review of state budget rules shows. Six months into what has become the state's longest budget stalemate in at... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Emergency funding from state will open senior centers at regular hours Thanks to emergency funding authorized by Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday afternoon, local schools and social service organizations are breathing a collective sigh of relief today. Danell Sowers with the Area Agency on Aging said on Wednesday that funding has been allocated that will provide the money necessary to cover... - Warren Times Observer

State and local officials react to Wolf action on state budget impasse Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement Tuesday that he was going to line-item veto the state budget and release emergency funds to schools and service agencies affected by the six-month long budget impasse came as good news to many. State and local officials weighed in on the decision saying they were... - Lansdale Reporter

Carbon eager to see state funds Officials want to know how partial budget approval will affect area programs By Chris Reber [email protected] Carbon County officials are eager to see how the portions of the state budget recently approved by Gov. Tom Wolf will affect programs that receive funding from the state.... - Lehighton Times News

Funds from state budget may not be sufficient for schools While public school districts will be getting long-delayed state money soon, it might not stave off the need for them to take out loans. The Pennsylvania Treasury said Wednesday it will expedite $3.3 billion of delayed state payments to schools, counties and human service organizations... - Altoona Mirror

Pa. politics: What lies ahead? A NEW YEAR in state politics begins, all too fittingly, with no resolutions. No resolution to the festering fiasco of the state budget process. No resolution to lingering lunacy surrounding Kathleen Kane. No resolution to fixing one of the most corrupt and worst run states in... - Philadelphia Daily News

Money to start flowing Tuesday to PA schools, counties and human service groups State and federal tax money should start flowing as early as Tuesday to the cash-strapped school districts, counties and human service organizations that suffered the brunt of the protracted budget fight between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature.... - Allentown Morning Call

S&P weighs in on PA budget: It's unbalanced In response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s line-item veto Dec. 29 of much of the Republican-passed state budget, we cited ongoing third-party concerns about the state’s fiscal management as a way of cutting through the political rhetoric with an unbiased perspective. That same day, Standard & Poor’s issued another indictment, or dire... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Dauphin commissioner takes issue with budgeted human services funding The partial budget Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday leaves a lot to be desired for some county governments. Dauphin County commissioner George Hartwick explained why. Without money from the state, counties focus on the things they can control. That’s why Hartwick spent the day at Children and Youth... - Carlisle Sentinel

State money coming soon to schools and others, but how much? The Pennsylvania Treasury expects to clear a $3.3 billion backlog of payments within two weeks, but how much individual schools, counties and human service organizations will get is unknown. On Tuesday Gov. Tom Wolf signed a partial budget of $23.39 billion after a... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

As budget impasse starts new year, business community braces for consequences Of all the things Pennsylvania's divided government failed to fix in 2015 - the budget, pensions, schools, liquor sales - the one that leaves the business community feeling extra bemused is taxes. So many proposals: A natural gas extraction tax! An end to local property... - Philadelphia Inquirer

January 3 Wolf to GOP leaders: Get back to work A day after his partial veto of a Republican-backed budget, Gov. Wolf on Wednesday reiterated his call for House and Senate leaders to return to the Capitol and resume working on a final budget

deal. "There is no reason why the House and Senate shouldn't be called back into... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State’s new year did not ring out old budget issues has old problem budget The partial state budget Gov. Tom Wolf signed last week brought good news for Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts, provided a stage for political venting by the leaders of state government and underscored the bad news: The budget standoff will stretch into a seventh month... - AP

With Pennsylvania state budget talks at a reset, the Capitol is on a holiday footing After a frenetic pre-Christmas week (and you thought last-minute gift shopping was unnerving) the state Capitol was clearly on a relaxed, holiday footing Thursday. Besides the Christmas tree, the only occupants of the Rotunda were tourists like the family from Chicago who said they'd stopped by as part of a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Partial state budget deal came just in time for some school districts — but for how long remains to be seen The partial state budget Gov. Tom Wolf signed this week brought good news for Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts, provided a stage for political venting by the leaders of state government and underscored the bad news: The budget standoff will stretch into a seventh month... - AP

New year brings no hint of Pa. budget breakthrough New year, same old issues. Boosting education funding. Changing the state's pension systems. Reforming how liquor is sold. Modifying taxes on homeowners and natural gas drillers. Each of those big-ticket items was, at some point during Gov. Wolf's first year in office, part of an ambitious budget discussion that he and the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

December 29 Wolf to veto part of state budget HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf decided this morning to put a partial end to the state's record-setting budget stalemate. At a news conference in the Capitol, the first-term governor said he will sign but partially veto a $30.3 billion spending plan the... - Allentown Morning Call

Gov. Tom Wolf partially vetoes GOP budget, releasing emergency funding to schools It's a question that's been asked for six long months: will today bring the end to Pennsylvania's budget stalemate? Gov. Tom Wolf announced from his office in Harrisburg this morning he would line- item veto a $30.3 billion Republican spending plan sent to his desk... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

BREAKING NEWS: Wolf will sign, line-item veto Pa. budget HARRISBURG, Pa. —Gov. Tom Wolf announced this morning that he will sign the budget on his desk, but will opt to line-item veto the bill. News 8's Government Reporter Pete Muntean is following this story. Connect with Pete on Facebook and Twitter. The bill authorizes hundreds of millions less than what Wolf wanted for... - WGAL

Wolf calls GOP budget 'garbage,' vows to use line-item veto power Calling the budget sent to him by lawmakers "ridiculous" and "an exercise in stupidity," Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf announced he would use line-item veto to strike out portions of the $30.3 million spending plan approved by lawmakers. "All of us should be outraged at the garbage GOP leaders have tried to... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf to Exercise Line-Item Veto WTXF/AP - Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that he will execute a line-item veto of the Republican- passed state budget. "I am going to exercise my constitutional right to line-item veto this ridiculous exercise in budget futility," the governor said in a press... - WTFX

Last-minute holiday gift from Wolf frees student aid Even though Pennsylvania is still waiting for a state budget, Gov. Wolf left a little something in the stockings of scholarship organizations and other educational nonprofits. On Thursday, he directed the

Department of Community and Economic Development to send out tax-credit approval letters that will enable... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf Vetoes Parts of Budget, Okays Emergency Funding for Schools HARRISBURG — Schools and agencies affected by Pennsylvania’s six-month long budget impasse should finally start getting some of the cash owed to them by the state. Tuesday morning, Governor Tom Wolf vetoed parts of a budget sent to him by state lawmakers just before Christmas. He specifically cited what he says... - WNEP

Gov. Wolf vetoes Republican budget; impasse continues Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday he will not sign a budget the Republican-controlled legislature passed just before Christmas. Wolf called the Republican's budget “garbage” and called on them to return to Harrisburg and do their jobs. “They simply left town before finishing their job,” he said,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gov. Wolf Rejects Cut To Education, Says He Is Releasing Emergency Funding For Schools HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced he will use a line-item veto on the budget. The remarks below are his full speech: “I am going to exercise my constitutional right to line item veto this ridiculous exercise in budget futility. I’m calling on our legislators... - KYW News Radio 1060

Wolf To Reveal Next Move, Week After Getting GOP Budget Plan HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor is about to announce his plans for a Republican-passed spending plan he could sign, reject or whittle down... - AP

December 28 Huge decision for Wolf: To sign or to veto GOP budget bill in 6-month Pennsylvania stalemate HARRISBURG — After butting heads with the Republican-controlled Legislature, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf faces perhaps the biggest decision of his short tenure: Sign a budget that falls short of everything he has sought or risk more damage to the schools and social services he wants to... - AP

Wolf mum for now on fate of budget bill on his desk HARRISBURG, Pa. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf isn't saying yet what he'll do with the budget bill on his desk as a state government impasse threatens to enter its seventh month... - AP

Season to do nothing While Harrisburg politicians scurry home without passing a budget or raising the minimum wage (but most still collecting their salaries and benefits), the Pennsylvania working poor continue to struggle at $7.25 an hour. I guess it's the season to do nothing and not be compassionate.... - Levittown Intelligencer

The question of a severance tax is not likely to go away State lawmakers struggled into the holiday season to pass this year's state budget plan but one of the bargaining chips removed from the table was a severance tax on the natural gas industry. The tax, long seen as a viable revenue source for the state by many... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Wolf veto threat keeps schools waiting on cash HARRISBURG – The elves in the state Senate stuffed Gov. Tom Wolf’s stocking with a budget that was $500 million lighter than he wanted. The delivery disappointed Wolf, who is the kid who got a sweater from Santa instead of an X-Box. The governor didn’t immediately announce a plan to... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Budget impasse justifies worries at area libraries By MOLLY KINNEY , Director, Mifflin County Library I am, by nature, a worrier and fretter. I worry about things I think I cannot change. I fret about decisions that are, somewhat, in my control. I know that God will take care of me, but, sometimes I think he needs a little help from me. So,... - Lewistown Sentinel

Gov. Wolf to make announcement today on GOP-passed budget HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor is about to announce his plans for a Republican- passed spending plan he could sign, reject or whittle down... - AP

December 27 Budget blues: A broken record For the last six months, the word record has seeped into nearly every budget conversation in the Capitol. Record funding for public education. Record relief for pained property taxpayers statewide. Record overhaul of a state liquor system that dates to Prohibition.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Third state budget lands on Gov. Wolf's desk, but will he sign it to end the 6-month impasse? As long as Gov. Tom Wolf can accept defeat, the six-month state budget impasse could soon be over. On Thursday, Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai signed off on a $30.3 billion budget bill that was passed by the Senate on Wednesday. It heads to the governor's desk, but it's not the budget he wants to sign.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's big decision: to sign or veto bill in 6-month impasse After butting heads with the Republican-controlled Legislature, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf faces perhaps the biggest decision of his short tenure: Sign a budget that falls short of everything he's sought or risk more damage to the schools and social services he wants to help... - AP

Capitol empties as Pa. budget deal collapses For two whirlwind days, lawmakers tried a flurry of last-ditch maneuvers to end the historic budget gridlock and enact some version of a state spending plan. But by Wednesday night, the Capitol had emptied, presumably for the holiday weekend, with no clear resolution in sight.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania budget deal hits wall ahead of holiday Efforts to resolve Pennsylvania's six-month budget stalemate hit a holiday pause Thursday after several days of fast-paced developments, with lawmakers waiting to hear whether Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will sign a Republican spending plan or veto it and send negotiators back to work... - AP

December 23 Capitol chaos: The Pa. House takes a wild ride toward a budget The state House, which had promised to pass a stop-gap budget and nothing more, gave the go- ahead Tuesday to the same spending plan that appeared dead last week. Maybe. After a series of confusing, even questionable, procedural gimmicks, members voted 100-97 to send along the $30.78 billion budget that had been... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sen. Wagner: Reps 'greased' for vote State Sen. Scott Wagner thinks a conspiracy is afoot for tomorrow's vote on the Pennsylvania State Budget. In one of his regular "email blasts," the Spring Garden Township Republican told his constituents that he sat in the "House of Representatives gallery and watched the House in action." In addition to a complaint about ghost... - York Daily

Senate sends $30.3B House budget to Wolf as record-setting impasse looms HARRISBURG — The Senate on Wednesday sent a House-passed $30.3 billion budget to Gov. Tom Wolf that requires no broad-based state tax hike. It is the 176th day of a budget impasse. “This is the only way to get a budget to the governor before Christmas, so we can get money out to our schools and human service agencies,”... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

A look at the budget plan in the Pennsylvania Legislature Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and state lawmakers have largely agreed on a budget package to end the state government's 6-month stalemate. More votes were expected Wednesday and lawmakers rush to wrap before Christmas... - AP

Pennsylvania's framework budget deal shows a pulse; but hard issues remain It was another long, strange day on the Pennsylvania state budget front. And at the end, it appeared things stood pretty much where they were last Friday - with renewed interest in the so-called $30.8 billion "framework" budget, but two or three major hurdles left between here and the governors'... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

End of Pa. budget impasse may be near The monthslong state budget impasse may soon come to an end after a sect of House Republicans broke party ties Tuesday to move a spending package one step from the governor's desk. In a narrow 100-97 vote, Democrats and moderate Republicans upended House GOP majority leaders to sent the bipartisan $30.8 billion spending bill... - York Dispatch

A friend in need December 23, 2015 It’s no secret that across Pennsylvania, senior centers, school districts and other necessary programs are being brought to a screeching halt by the state budget impass. more »» - Warren Times Observer

What is in the latest Pa. budget agreement? The state House and Senate have voted for a $30.8 billion spending package, but early Wednesday afternoon serious questions remained about how to pay for it and whether the final product will include cost-saving changes to the state's pension system... - AP

Pa budget stalemate longest in modern era HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s state budget stalemate achieves today the dubious distinction as the longest during the state’s modern political era. The Republican-controlled House took a step Tuesday toward ending the stalemate by positioning a Senate-approved $30.8 billion budget bill for a... - Scranton Times

If Pa. only had a state budget THE ISSUE The previous modern-day Pennsylvania budget impasse lasted until a deal was reached Dec. 23, 2003. Asked Tuesday if a deal was possible, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s spokesman Jeffrey Sheridan said: “This is all on the House Republicans at this point.” House GOP spokesman Steve Miskin... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Budget stalemate crumbling, but key disagreements remain HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania state government's 6-month-old budget stalemate is crumbling, but disagreements remain as lawmakers rush to approve bipartisan budget legislation before Christmas... - AP

A look at the budget plan in the Pennsylvania Legislature Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and state lawmakers have largely agreed on a budget package to end the state government's 6-month stalemate. More votes were expected Wednesday and lawmakers rush to wrap before Christmas. However, some disagreements remains... - AP

Lycoming County districts coping with stalemate December 23, 2015 Many school districts across the state say they are closing schools in January due to the ongoing state budget stalemate, and districts across Lycoming County also are feeling difficulties resulting... more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Votes signal breakthrough in Pennsylvania budget stalemate HARRISBURG, Pa. Democrats and moderate Republicans upended House GOP majority leaders on Tuesday, winning a series of close votes that signaled a potential breakthrough in Pennsylvania's 6- month-old budget stalemate... - AP

No time off for bad behavior It's time for real changes to the Pennsylvania Legislature. The current overstaffed, bloated bunch of legislators who don't do their job of passing a budget, which the state Constitution requires, needs to

be punished. While they fool around passing resolutions and other meaningless bills,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pension bill opposition threatens to derail state budget HARRISBURG — Hopes for a Christmas budget miracle in the state Capitol appear to have been dashed today. House GOP leaders have said they won't bring up a $30.8 billion budget plan unless the Senate sends them the tax bill to accompany it spelling out where revenues will come from.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In surprise move, Pa. House expected to pass budget “framework” HARRISBURG, Pa. -- While everyone was expecting the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to vote on another 'stopgap' spending plan that Governor Wolf promised to veto, State House Republicans threw a curveball which could lead to a budget signed as early as Wednesday.... - FOX 43

A Hail Mary in the House - and a #PaBudget, if they can keep it: Analysis Somewhere, the ghosts of the Byzantines are shaking their heads at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Republican insurgents, joined by Democrats who support the $30.8 billion "framework" budget, pulled a parliamentary rabbit out of their hats on Tuesday, setting up a vote, likely on Wednesday, that could finally end the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania House moves closer to budget vote HARRISBURG — Democrats and moderate Republicans upended House GOP majority leaders Tuesday, winning a series of close votes that signaled a potential breakthrough in Pennsylvania's 6-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Pennsylvania House leaders, in the absence of a budget deal, send lawmakers home The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has adjourned for the day, and most members are leaving town for the Christmas holiday, subject to a return to session on a six-hour call. House Republican leaders announced that decision after a Wednesday morning meeting with Senate Republican leaders produced no movement in an... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The Latest: Wolf gets budget bill, but not the one he wanted HARRISBURG, Pa. The latest on the efforts to end Pennsylvania state government's 6-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Budget delay may affect Tioga County districts’ ability to borrow money December 23, 2015 As the budget stalemate drags on, school districts may end up the big losers because of an unexpected consequence: the lowering of their credit ratings. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

PA-BGT: House Moves Wolf’s Spending Plan Forward Can it be true? The PA House of Representatives has scheduled marathon sessions on Wednesday to try to end the six-month budget impasse, after several votes Tuesday cleared the way for a $30.8 billion spending plan agreed to by the State Senate and Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Politics PA

Pennsylvania Senate passes another budget along to Gov. Tom Wolf The Pennsylvania state Senate has just passed a $30.3 billion budget package. The move, coming on a 33-17 vote, gives Gov. Tom Wolf a fresh chance to drive at least some funding to cash-strapped schools and human service agencies that have had to survive without state aid since June 30.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

December 22 With the holidays coming, the House stages its own #PaBudget Christmas pantomime: Analysis On Monday, with little else to do, and a budget deadlock that's marching toward an interminable six months, the House Appropriations Committee held a little holiday pageant of its own. The end result was enough to make you want to yell the name -- and not in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf: Stopgap budget would prompt 8,000 furloughs, cuts HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is telling state House members a stopgap budget under consideration would prompt 8,000 furloughs and deep cuts to government programs... - AP

Budget debate near, Wolf says House GOP leaders blew up deal HARRISBURG, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf is blaming House Republican leaders for Pennsylvania state government's nearly record-long budget stalemate ahead of another battle over what kind of spending plan the GOP-controlled House of Representatives will support. Wolf says Republicans over the weekend inexplicably blew up a bipartisan... - AP

A closer look at the Pennsylvania House Republicans' latest stopgap funding plan The Pennsylvania House Republicans' latest stopgap budget proposal is designed as an 11-month funding plan, with a few exceptions, and then anticipates further negotiations intended at producing a final, 2015-16 budget. It would preserve all state tax rates at current levels, for now.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. leaders must learn to compromise What is wrong with the Pennsylvania state Legislature? It seems increasingly clear that its members’ agenda is this and only this — to prove that Republicans hate Democrats and Democrats hate Republicans. What a wonderful lesson to teach my children about politics these days.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

House abruptly changes course on state budget HARRISBURG -- Following a somewhat chaotic afternoon of procedural maneuvering on the state House floor, a potential resolution to Pennsylvania’s long-running budget impasse appears to be back on the table. The House was expected to advance a partial year "stopgap" budget that Gov.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

On the Pennsylvania budget, no one's happy When it comes to the Pennsylvania state budget, no one seems happy. After legislators in Harrisburg shot down the most recent attempt at a proposed 2016 budget for the state, criticism spread. Lawmakers have dug in their feet on a variety of issues including pension... - York Daily

Divisions deepen over state budget impasse HARRISBURG — The fissure that opened over the weekend in the plan to end the Pennsylvania budget impasse seemed to deepen Monday, as House Republicans began to advance a partial-year spending plan that Gov. Tom Wolf promised to veto. A sense of optimism that state officials could finally produce a budget had... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Six months without a budget, House GOP leader sees stopgap budget as "the right thing to do" The state House has positioned itself to apply a Band-Aid on the gaping wounds that a nearly six- month state budget impasse has inflicted. It is expected to vote on Wednesday on a $28.2 billion emergency funding bill that would get state government and agencies that depend on state... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House GOP's interim budget plan draws governor's veto threat HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf threatened Monday to veto a short-term emergency spending package being advanced by Pennsylvania's House GOP majority as the budget stalemate closed in on the state record... - AP

Erie School Board OKs borrowing $47 million ERIE, Pa. -- Faced with what Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams said was the only option of either closing schools or borrowing money, the Erie School Board chose the latter. The School Board on Monday authorized Erie School District administrators to borrow up to $47 million if needed to keep schools operating as the... - Erie Times-News

As state budget impasse continues, competing plans emerge So now what? The tentative deal for the 2015-16 state budget collapsed over the weekend, leaving

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled House and Senate on three different pages. With the state budget nearly six months late, the state House of... - Reading Eagle

Congrats, Pa., you just tied the record for the longest-ever #PaBudget standoff: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. As the state House convenes this Tuesday to take up an 11- month, $28.1 billion stopgap funding package, members of the 203-member chamber will do so knowing that they've just tied the standing record for Pennsylvania's longest-ever budget impasse.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

'Framework' Pennsylvania budget plan might be making an encore appearance A funny thing happened on the way to the Pennsylvania House's scheduled consideration of another stopgap funding bill Tuesday afternoon. On a procedural vote preceding the budget debate, a bipartisan coalition emerged that set the stage for possible reconsideration of the larger,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Stopgap budget equals state employee layoffs, lots of them, administration analysis says State employees have managed to escape most of the hardship caused by the six-month state budget impasse but enactment of a stopgap budget may change that. According to Gov. Tom Wolf's budget office analysis, about 8,000 employees would be furloughed if the $28.2 billion stopgap budget that the House is... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania state budget: 174 days in perspective You could literally walk from York to Alaska in the time our leaders have dithered over the state budget. We've all heard about the Pennsylvania state budget (or lack thereof) over the last five months. And while the end of the budget impasse, which has roiled school districts... - York Daily

December 21 With budget deadlocked House Repubs try to squeeze Tom Wolf With the state budget stuck in park and the Christmas holiday looming, some House Republicans are mulling the mother of all squeeze plays to shake a deal loose with the Democratic Wolf administration. In an email chain obtained by PennLive, two rank-and-file House members,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House GOP's turn to solve Pennsylvania budget stalemate HARRISBURG, Pa. After rejecting piece after piece of a bipartisan deal to end Pennsylvania's five- month-old budget stalemate, House Republican majority leaders are planning procedural votes on a short-term emergency spending package... - AP

Letter: Budget cuts threaten vital senior center The other day, I passed by the Loder Center in East Stroudsburg. I saw the senior citizens holding placards asking for the center to remain open. It brought back fond memories of when I brought my mother there. She enjoyed the activities, programs and the socializing with the other... - Pocono Record

Wolf, Senate: No stopgap budget HARRISBURG - Legislative leaders huddled behind closed doors Sunday to determine how to resolve the state's budget crisis after a so-called framework agreement seemed to implode a day earlier. But after hours of negotiating, it seemed another contentious battle could... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Washington-on-the-Susquehanna While tens of millions of Americans were huddled around their TV sets on Saturday, leaving rum- soaked holiday parties or in the middle of the new "Star Wars" flick to race home for the all-important Democratic presidential debate*, Harrisburg was up to its new-old tricks. Lawmakers... - Philadelphia Daily News

Letter: Pa. Legislature should pay for lack of budget Ho hum. Here it is, another day, another week, another month and still no balanced Pennsylvania

budget. Inaction by state officials is the height of irresponsibility. This delay in passing a balanced budget is putting Pennsylvania and its citizens... - Pocono Record

Lawmakers eye options amid Pennsylvania budget deal's defeat HARRISBURG, Pa. Top Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania met in the quiet and dark Capitol on Sunday night as they sorted through the wreckage of a deal with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to end Pennsylvania's nearly six-month budget stalemate that is days from shattering the state's modern-day record... - AP

Pa. lawmakers weigh funding plan amid latest setbacks HARRISBURG — Top Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania met in the quiet and dark Capitol on Sunday night as they sorted through the wreckage of a deal with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to end the nearly six-month budget stalemate that is days from shattering the state's modern-day record... - AP

After pension overhaul collapse, Pa. legislators regroup in battle to pass budget HARRISBURG — How exactly Pennsylvania’s nearly six-month budget impasse will end remained unclear Sunday, the day after the collapse of a pension overhaul bill that was part of a deal many hoped would end more than 170 days of state budget gridlock. Legislative staffers and some elected officials were meeting behind closed... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

December 20 Please act on state budget: Letters to the editor Here is my letter short and sweet. I'm writing about the state budget. I want to know when you are going to pass the budget. Many people need it. Rita J. Fitzgerald|Erie - Erie Times-News

Caucus power thrives in impasse HARRISBURG — The great state budget stalemate of 2015 took an unexpected turn one afternoon two weeks ago when members of the House Republican caucus spilled out of their closed-door meeting room. Sizeable numbers of GOP members had balked inside the room at supporting a... - Scranton Times

Budget agreement careens toward collapse The tentative budget agreement between Gov. Wolf and the Republican-controlled legislature veered toward collapse Saturday, leaving the state in fiscal limbo and with no clear way out. The breakdown occurred after the House of Representatives resoundingly defeated a proposal to rein in the skyrocketing cost of the state's two... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania House kills pension bill, putting budget deal in limbo The Pennsylvania House on Saturday torpedoed a Republican-proposed pension bill and with it an apparent path to the end of the budget impasse that has gripped the Capitol for nearly six months. The vote was 149-52, with all Democrats and more than half of the... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

The Pennsylvania state budget mess: How it came to this Everybody here is getting ready for the holidays. There’s a Christmas tree in the Capitol. Garlands and wreaths hang in the Rotunda. Groups of holiday carolers sing daily, surrounded by lobbyists and legislators hurrying past. Everything is in readiness — except a spending plan for the state. The... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Scranton School District default would have lasting impact Scranton’s default in 2012 on parking authority debt still haunts the city. Now, the school district — because of the state budget impasse — faces in two weeks its own default that, while different in circumstance from the city’s default, would similarly have a lasting negative... - Scranton Times

Political Winners & Losers: Can't anyone around here pass a #PaBudget? Good Sunday Morning, Everyone. Saturday ended on a down note as the state House shot down pension reform, leaving the future of the entire state budget in doubt. Lawmakers return to work this

Sunday (though not voting session) to try to reach an agreement pass a final spending plan - now some six months late. Can they pull it off... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget deal slips with pension reform defeat in the House; stopgap plan comes new possibility With a public pension employee reform bill resoundingly defeated in the state House Saturday, House Majority Leader David Reed, R-Indiana County, conceded the proposed "framework" budget is likely off-track. Reed said one leading option to try to get some resolution to... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House axes pension bill, killing budget deal A proposal to revamp Pennsylvania's two large public-sector pension systems was defeated overwhelmingly Saturday in the state House, collapsing a deal to solve the state's 6-month-old budget impasse... - AP

December 18 Wolf: GOP budget ultimatum 'ridiculous' HARRISBURG - A day after House Republicans told Gov. Wolf he had 24 hours to recruit enough votes to pass a long-overdue state budget, their deadline came and went. And nothing happened. A spokesman for Wolf dismissed the deadline as "ridiculous." Speaker Mike... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Beaver County Women's Center feels weight of state budget impasse BEAVER -- For a private, nonprofit shelter like the Beaver County Women's Center, the nearly six- month-long state budget impasse has meant delayed payments to employees, suspended programs and a lot of worry. Women's center Executive Director Darlene Thomas said the shelter's goal is... - Beaver County Times

Montgomery County may need a loan to pay bills if state budget impasse continues COURTHOUSE >> The continued absence of a state budget could force Montgomery County to take out a loan to make payroll and debt service payments in the new year. Montgomery County Chief Financial Officer Uri Monson asked commissioners Thursday to authorize a tax revenue anticipation note, which would allow... - Norristown Times Herald

County foots $3 million worth of bills state should have paid “The government passed a budget,” said Frank Byrd of Canton Township, who was in the audience as Washington County commissioners adopted a 2016 general fund spending plan of $85 million-plus. His remarks were met with applause. “And it was bipartisan, Republican... - Washington Observer- Reporter

Western Pennsylvania loses out on film work amid state budget impasse Jordan LoNigro won't be appearing in any more cinematic food fights any time soon. After submitting his resume and getting hired as a high school student for the movie, “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” he realized that nothing was better than hanging out and throwing food while getting paid.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Another day, another deadline and still no #PaBudget: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. We're seriously late and way behind schedule on this 18th day of December, so let's run down the five things we know about the state of budget talks. 1. Oh That Deadline: The Thursday, 12:30 p.m. deadline that House Republicans set for Gov. Tom Wolf to round up GOP support for a tax vote... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Forest County forced to take out tax note Effects of the nearly six-month long budget impasse in Harrisburg continue to pop up across the state with the most recent instance coming from Forest County. County commissioners on Thursday approved a motion to take out a $400,000 tax anticipation note to help pay for county expenses, especially for its... - Oil City Derrick

Pa. budget remains work in progress The state budget remained a work in progress Thursday as parties scrambled to find enough votes to

pass a spending plan that is more than five months late. Gov. Tom Wolf's administration and its allies were trying to persuade enough rank-and-file House Republicans to support a $1 billion-plus tax... - Erie Times-News State budget bickering continues with no end in sight HARRISBURG — Major issues in Pennsylvania’s budget impasse remained unresolved Thursday, with no consensus emerging on a tax package to pay for increased state spending and the postponement of a House plan to take up a public-pension bill that is part of the negotiations.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Wolf, allies press House GOP for votes on tax increase HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf's administration and its allies worked through the day Thursday to sway enough rank-and-file House Republicans behind a $1 billion-plus tax increase to override opposition from House GOP leaders and end the state government's 5½-month budget... - AP

Greene County takes $4 million loan to fund human services WAYNESBURG – Greene County commissioners took out a $4 million tax anticipation loan Thursday morning to fund the county’s human services department as it awaits state funding during the 5 1/2- month-long budget impasse. Of the total amount, $3 million will refund the county’s general fund... - Washington Observer-Reporter

On budget, lumps of coal from Pa. pols With Christmas fast approaching, children are busy creating wish lists for Santa Claus. While most kids eventually outgrow a belief in Santa — and realize it’s their family buying their gifts — a few Pennsylvania politicians seem unwilling to give up the make-believe world of their... - Philadelphia Inquirer

12 painful days of Christmas from state government Dear Editor, On the first day of Christmas, my politicians gave to me: no budget. On the second day of Christmas, my politicians gave to me: Two parties bickering and no budget. On the third day of Christmas, my politicians gave to me: Three bills pending, two parties bickering, and no budget.... - Oil City Derrick

December 17 State budget impasse headed toward a resolution of some sort by the weekend The scramble to get a state budget completed before the Christmas holiday intensified Wednesday, but there was still no clear end in sight. Leaders of the House Republican majority showed their members the tax package required to support a $30.8 billion budget Wednesday, and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. House Republicans want to know what taxes Gov. Wolf would raise HARRISBURG — With pressure on the House now that the Senate and Gov. Tom Wolf are united on a plan to end the Pennsylvania state budget impasse, House Republican leaders on Wednesday made a new demand: that Mr. Wolf by today raise the votes to pass a tax bill through their chamber.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

In their words: Governor, legislative leaders want a full budget, not a stopgap Legislative leaders and Gov. Tom Wolf left a series of short meetings on Wednesday saying that the next 24 hours or so could determine if an end to the budget impasse is close at hand. A tax package to support a $30.8 billion spending plan is still taking shape and it remains uncertain whether the votes can be found in both... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

A look at the budget plan in the Pennsylvania Legislature Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, the Senate and House Democrats have largely agreed on a budget package to end the state government's 5½-month stalemate. Leaders of the House's Republican majority have made clear that they now oppose some elements. Here is a look at the highlights:.. - AP

Reading School District seeks $30 million line of credit due to state budget impasse Reading, PA The Reading School District is preparing to secure a second multi-million dollar line of

credit to keep schools running during the state's ongoing budget impasse. The Reading School Board Wednesday authorized chief financial officer Wayne Gehris to negotiate and accept the terms of a $30 million tax and revenue... - Reading Eagle

Wolf, allies test House GOP resolve against tax increase HARRISBURG, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf's administration and its allies were working Thursday to sway enough rank-and-file House Republicans behind a $1 billion-plus tax increase to override renewed opposition from House GOP leaders and end the 5 1/2 -month budget stalemate... - AP

Pa. legislators didn't earn Christmas break Christmas is coming. There is still no budget for Pennsylvania. I certainly hope that should this go on into the holiday break that our elected officials do not take a Christmas break. I personally know of one group of students who receive $300 in state funds... - Allentown Morning Call

Allegheny Land Trust forced to borrow $400K for purchase of 178 acres amid Pa. budget impasse Allegheny Land Trust officials say Pennsylvania's budget impasse has forced the nonprofit organization to borrow $400,000 to help Franklin Park preserve 178 acres of green space. The trust has a contract to buy the property next to the borough's 80-acre Linbrook Park for $750,000 from SPD Land LLC by Dec. 30, officials said.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

PA-BGT: House GOP: Deal Possible by Saturday The clock is ticking. After a closed-door meeting, House GOP leaders gave Gov. Tom Wolf 24 hours to find enough support to pass his $1 billion-plus tax package, Marc Levy of the Associated Press reports. If Wolf cannot get 102 votes for his tax increases, Republican leadership... - Politics PA

Erie County to borrow from itself to get through state budget impasse ERIE, Pa. -- It's an all-too-common scene playing out across Pennsylvania during the 170-day state budget impasse. Exasperated government bodies and social-service agencies that have waited for state money since the start of the new fiscal year July 1 are forced to... - Erie Times-News

House issues ultimatum, Wolf shrugs State House Republican leaders, fresh off a caucus mutiny and scathing criticism from Democrats, are issuing an ultimatum to the governor: Find the votes to pass a tax plan by Thursday evening or the House will pass a stopgap budget. "The governor wants an opportunity to run this budget," said House Speaker... - WITF

Five things we know about the state of #PaBudget talks: Thursday Morning Coffee Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. So here's what we know about the state of Pennsylvania's long-delayed state budget: It still isn't done yet. But it might be done by the weekend. Also, we might finally get that call-up to play for the Carolina Hurricanes.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Absent deal, Phila. schools could close in January Without a state budget, the Philadelphia School District could cancel classes for its 130,000 students as of Jan. 29, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. says. "After that date," Hite wrote in a letter to staff this week, "our ability to keep schools open, issue paychecks, and pay bills is uncertain. The... - Philadelphia Inquirer

House & Senate Tussle Over Pension Payments State House and Senate Republicans are at odds over what the commonwealth should pay into its retirement systems. Tight finances compelled the Senate to approve a plan last week that would cut roughly $170 million from scheduled state payments to its pension... - WESA

Budget talks continue amid pressure for higher taxes As of this writing, we are six months into the new budget year without a state spending plan in place, but it is not for a lack of trying. In June, the General Assembly passed a $30.2 billion spending plan that contained record levels of education funding and did not raise taxes. After an... - Gettysburg Times

Leaders: Pa. budget could get a vote this week HARRISBURG - In a gambit that will either resolve Pennsylvania's budget stalemate or dash hopes for a compromise deal, House Republican leaders on Wednesday put a 24-hour deadline on a new push to support the $30.8 billion spending plan touted by Gov. Wolf and the Senate.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Crisis budgeting is a disservice to Pennsylvanians By Bob Dick Some crises come without warning; others are created. By vetoing budget after budget, denying funds to schools and nonprofits, and withholding scholarships for low-income students, Gov. Tom Wolf has done everything in his power to create a crisis.... - Levittown Intelligencer

Both parties responsible for mess in Harrisburg By state Sen. Scott Wagner I would like to give everyone an end of year report on Harrisburg and some observations I have made since I joined the state Senate in April of 2014. I have 35 years experience in the private sector so I feel I have a high level of common sense. I tell people I have been in the Harrisburg sausage... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

House GOP eyes interim budget if Pennsylvania tax plan lacks support HARRISBURG, Pa. —Pennsylvania House Republican leaders said Wednesday they will seek an interim spending plan later this week to end the five-and-a-half month budget stalemate if there is not enough support to pass a $1 billion-plus tax increase they helped negotiate with Gov. Tom... - WTAE

December 16 GOP leaders give Wolf 24 hours to find votes for increased taxes HARRISBURG — Republican legislative leaders on Wednesday gave Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf 24 hours to find tax votes in the House needed to pass a $30.8 billion budget that is almost six months late. The state budget has been mired in the House, where a Republican majority... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

PA Lawmakers Prepare for New Fight in 5-Month Budget Showdown Members of the Pennsylvania House returned to the state Capitol Sunday evening to start another week focused on completing a state budget for the year that began in July. Sunday night's brief session in the House of Representatives produced several changes to the hundreds of pages of legislation passed in a flurry... - The Examiner Post

Senate vote is exasperating Exasperation is not the only reasonable response to HB1327 passed by the Pennsylvania Senate this week, more than five months into the state’s budget... - Bloomsburg Press Enterprise

County aids struggling area agencies December 16, 2015 Local human services agencies that are struggling to pay the bills because of a lack of a state budget are getting some much-needed assistance from Lycoming County. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Losing favor: Pennsylvania is downgraded over the budget Five and a half months after a state budget should have been enacted, the damage done by the stalemate is really adding up. The latest fallout from the inability of Harrisburg’s polarized negotiators to agree on a 2015-16 spending plan came from Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, an agency that determines the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Breakthrough in state budget? During this 169-day state budget impasse, there were hopes that a deal could be struck by late August or September or maybe Thanksgiving. Now the question becomes: Will the state finally have a budget by Christmas ? There are indications from the state's capital that the state finally will... - Erie Times-News

LECOM to give $2.25 million to Erie schools ERIE, Pa. -- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine has given the Erie School District $2.25 million to help keep the district running during the state budget impasse. Once the budget is passed, the

district will earmark $2.25 million in state funding for the support of its hands-on science program -- LECOM's ultimate... - Erie Times-News

Budget clash hurting most vulnerable Today marks 169 days the state of Pennsylvania has gone without a budget. And, while state lawmakers negotiate after the most recent Senate budget proposal fell through the floor of the House, local services are beginning to enter desperate times as funds are depleted.... - Titusville Herald

Leaders: Pa. budget could get a vote this week HARRISBURG - Legislative leaders emerged from a closed-door meeting with Gov. Wolf on Wednesday to say they could pass a final budget by this weekend, which would end their five-month stalemate and pave the way for hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding for schools.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. budget talks 'interesting' but yield no deal HARRISBURG - On the 168th day of Pennsylvania's budget impasse, the House held a light voting session, approving, among other items, a resolution honoring a journeyman professional golfer. Then lawmakers were dismissed. If there was a breakthrough that might lead to a final budget sometime... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania House Republican eyes interim budget if $1B tax plan lacks support HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House Republican leaders said Wednesday they will seek an interim spending plan later this week to end the five-and-a-half month budget stalemate if there is not enough support to pass a $1 billion-plus tax increase they helped negotiate with Gov. Tom... - AP

Crisis budgeting Is disservice to Pa. Some crises come without warning; others are created. By vetoing budget after budget, denying funds to schools and nonprofits, and withholding scholarships for low-income students, Gov. Tom Wolf has done everything in his power to create a crisis. Now, nonprofits dependent on state aid are laying off staff, school... - York Daily

Overdue state budget affecting county library system WILKES-BARRE — The longer the state budget impasse continues, the more the Luzerne County Library System will have to cut back on services, its administrator warned Tuesday. The system stopped its delivery service last week due to the lack of funding from the state, said Richard Miller, system administrator, in a... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Legislators hunkering down in Harrisburg ISSUE | PA. BUDGET Hunkering down in Harrisburg Among the calls that my office has been receiving from those affected by Pennsylvania's budget stalemate, some of the saddest have been from foster parents who have not been getting state aid to care for the children they... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Leaders in state Legislature hope to end budget stalemate in coming days HARRISBURG -- Legislative leaders said Wednesday afternoon that an end could be in sight -- within days -- to Pennsylvania's long-running budget stalemate, which has gone one for more than five months. "I think the next 24 hours are going to be very important in terms of how... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Philly schools: no cash after Jan. 29? With an ongoing stalemate over the state budget (deadline: June 30) in Harrisburg, finances remain precarious for many agencies that depend on the commonwealth for funding. The cash-flow situation is particularly dire for the Philadelphia School District, which educates about 130,000 students. In a letter sent to staff... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Ways to end Pa.’s budget impasse Since a state budget is to be in place by July 1, if a budget is not passed by Aug. 1, the budget from the year before should automatically be approved. I bet that under those circumstances, the budget

would get done each year! Maybe the governor and our representatives will get enough feedback and act... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Dems cast Turzai as villain in Pa. budget gridlock HARRISBURG — With tempers at the state Capitol running high as a budget stalemate approaches the six-month mark, many Democrats are casting House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Marshall, as the main obstacle to having a deal. Mr. Turzai allowed a vote on the House’s alternate budget to the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How do legislative staffers really feel about the Pa. budget impasse? 'It sucks' Normally, legislative staffers would've received an email by now telling them they could go home a couple hours early on Christmas Eve. But this isn't a normal year. The budget stalemate is crawling through its sixth month, and many staffers say their lives and holiday plans revolve around ongoing negotiations.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

With $5 million tied up in state budget battle, Harrisburg council approves bank loan HARRISBURG- Since legislators and the governor are still battling it out over a state budget, Harrisburg council members Tuesday night moved forward with a $4.5 million loan to keep their budget afloat. Council members approved the authorization for the loan from M&T Bank,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Five other things that, like current budget talks are 'Interesting,' but basically meaningless: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Nine days before Christmas, there's precious little momentum in Pennsylvania's seemingly endless budget negotiations. The House and Senate are staring at each other across the battlements and conversations are yielding little in the way of concrete results.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

December 15 Fate of Pa. budget now rests with House HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania House members spent most of Monday behind closed doors discussing what changes, if any, they might seek to make to budget-related bills passed by the Senate and supported by Gov. Wolf. "We're going through everything," said Stephen Miskin, spokesman for House... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget impasse means some school borrowing in jeopardy, Standard & Poor's says HARRISBURG -- The months-long Pennsylvania budget impasse has convinced one of the main credit ratings agencies that state education payments are no longer a reliable source of funding. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services says it has withdrawn ratings for school districts and community colleges that were based upon a program... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bad brew: Wonder why Pennsylvania's state budget is six months late? Here's a few top reasons Pennsylvania's state budget is now going on six months late, and while there are some tentative signs that the last issues are now at least being teed up for closure, this is a cycle that many will never forget. It's earning a place in state government infamy alongside 1977 (a brawl on... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Making sense of the tax madness Our state budget appears to be in gridlock, along with countless spending on local levels. City school board approves a 2.5 percent raise for Supt. Eric Holmes at $143,000. Our newly elected county commissioners are getting raises. How about Mayor Bracey getting taxpayers’ money for a water shower of our overheated... - York Daily

Wolf: "It's time to stop negotiating" Governor Tom Wolf and conservative House Republicans are clashing over a state budget, now five and a half months late. The House's speaker, Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) is demanding changes to a budget proposal passed by the Senate a week ago. His caucus says the... - WITF

PA-BGT: How Do You Solve a Five-Sided Equation? Last week, lawmakers in Harrisburg were optimistic of ending the budget impasse during special meetings and voting sessions scheduled for the weekend. With Monday now upon us, however, all signals from the capital show the optimism has evaporated. During that short period, the State Senate showed its intent to push... - Politics PA

Sen. Bartolotta says no budget deal without pension reform WAYNESBURG – Even with the marathon budget negotiations still in flux, state Sen. Camera Bartolotta said Monday it’s clear that no spending plan will get out of Harrisburg unless pension reform is included. “I’ll be darned if that money doesn’t go into the classroom,” Bartolotta said of a potential $460 million increase to... - Washington Observer-Reporter

School districts could pay bigger borrowing fees because of late state budgets Pennsylvania and its habit of not passing state budgets on time could now work to the detriment of financially challenged school districts and community colleges looking to borrow money. Because of the state's protracted state budget negotiations this year and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

JVBDS holds meeting State budget impasse continues to negatively affect agency LEWISTOWN - Juniata Valley Behavioral and Developmental Services continues to feel the pinch from a lack of state funding. - Lewistown Sentinel

Crime Victims’ Center in Chester County suffers from state budget failure WEST CHESTER >> The holiday season is normally one of glad tidings at the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County. There is the annual Holiday Open House in early December, at which the organization’s staff and supporters gather to see who is the recipient of the John J. Crane Award for service to crime victims. There are... - Phoenixville News

Lawmakers haven't lost anything during impasse A recent Times article indicated that state lawmakers were dissatisfied that they were not being kept informed about the budget talks. Since state lawmakers are the ones responsible for developing a state budget, how can they not be “informed” about what is being discussed.... - Beaver County Times

Budget choices limited for Pennsylvania lawmakers AS the holidays near, budget frustrations mount. And if the impasse drags on much longer, it will turn to anger as schools close and social services dry up. Two school districts in Mercer County – Greenville and Sharpsville – are already warning that they might not reopen after Christmas... - Sharon Herald

Pennsylvania school districts may lose ability to borrow HARRISBURG — The state budget impasse is once again having an impact on public entities’ financing at the local level. A decision by Standard & Poor’s Monday to withdraw its credit rating for Pennsylvania school district aid interception — a system by which... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

A #PaBudget by Christmas? Here's what could happen and what's happened before: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. For those of you playing along at home, today is Dec. 15, which means a scant 10 days remain until many among us celebrate the birth of the World's Most Famous Carpenter. But another anniversary also beckons on this Tuesday morning: We're just... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

December 14 Pennsylvania lawmakers aim for budget by week's end HARRISBURG — Lawmakers trickled back into the Pennsylvania Capitol for a Sunday evening start on what was shaping up as a new, contentious week, the latest round over how to end the state government's five-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Dush backs stopgap budget With the state Legislature idle until later this weekend and the five-month budget impasse set to extend into next week, a coalition of House Republicans planned to unveil a skeletal state spending plan aimed at using money already in hand to fund schools and essential services in... - Indiana Gazette

Pa. House committee sends budget bills back to Senate Members of the Pennsylvania House returned to the state Capitol Sunday evening to start another week focused on completing a state budget for the year that began in July. A House committee took up budget-related legislation and made changes, sending the bills back to the Senate. The committee also approved a change... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bills address budget standoffs HARRISBURG — The state budget debacle has produced an assortment of bills designed to prevent future stalemates or mitigate the impact if one occurs again. These bills face the same challenge as legislation introduced periodically to revamp the process for redrawing state legislative districts every... - Scranton Times

Wolf, House Republicans 'hopeful' for a budget this week Gov. Tom Wolf and House Republicans return to the state Capitol Building this afternoon, edging closer to ending the budget impasse. Pennsylvania has been without a spending plan for more than five months, but on Sunday the Democratic governor and a spokesman for the... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

End to Pa. budget impasse a step closer HARRISBURG - Following a two-day break, House members returned to the Capitol on Sunday night and began positioning several budget-related bills for a full chamber vote, a step toward potentially ending the five-month-old budget stalemate. Still, significant questions remained about issues that have loomed large... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Lawmakers prepare for new fight in budget showdown HARRISBURG – Lawmakers trickled back into the Pennsylvania Capitol for a Sunday evening start on what was shaping up as a new, contentious week, the latest round over how to end the state government’s five-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Crime Victims’ Center suffers from state budget failure WEST CHESTER>> The holiday season is normally one of glad tidings at the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County. There is the annual Holiday Open House in early December, at which the organization’s staff and supporters gather to see who is the recipient of the John J. Crane Award for service to crime victims. There are... - West Chester Daily Local News

Political season starts with no budget HARRISBURG — The state budget stalemate is dragging on uncomfortably close to the start of the 2016 election cycle for lawmakers who worry more about primary challenges these days than opponents in the general election. The Pennsylvania Society dinner this past weekend in New York City marks... - Scranton Times

COLUMNISTS: Pa. budget standoff takes a toll on children The Pennsylvania budget has dragged on in an endless battle of wills between the political parties. In the meantime children, low-income families and the neediest of our society suffered the greatest over the last five months. You would be hard pressed to find anyone in the education... - Pottstown Mercury

December 13 Negotiators put Pennsylvania budget talks on Saturday pause Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Legislature appear headed for another week of grappling over how to end a five-month budget stalemate while pressure ratchets up on them amid growing social services layoffs, threats of school shutdowns and the looming end of the calendar year... - AP

House Speaker Mike Turzai pumps the brakes a bit on Pennsylvania budget optimism House Republicans may not have won their fight to trim $500 million from the still-evolving state budget this week. But that doesn't mean, House Speaker Mike Turzai said Friday, they've given up trying to put their imprint on the roughly $30.8 billion 2015-16 state... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Could this be the week? Protracted Pa. state budget talks to center on final issues this week Everybody at the Capitol hopes this is the week that brings closure to Pennsylvania's extended state budget impasse. But they also acknowledge there's still some significant negotiating to do before what's expected to be a $30.8 billion, 2015-16 spending plan that is... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget agreement unlikely to happen this weekend; schools, counties borrow nearly $1B Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Legislature appear headed for another week of grappling over how to end a five-month budget stalemate while pressure ratchets up on them amid growing social services layoffs, threats of school shutdowns and the looming end of the calendar year... - AP

Luzerne County to close on shutdown avoidance loan Monday Luzerne County officials plan to close Monday on a $20 million loan needed to prevent mass layoffs and service cuts due to state budget impasse funding delays, said county Chief Solicitor C. David Pedri. Pedri said the lenders and county council Chairwoman Linda McClosky Houck... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Pittsburgh leaders to the Legislature: Pass a budget! Bishop David Zubik joined Pittsburgh business and civic leaders Friday in calling on the state Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf to end the budget impasse because of the toll it’s taken on nonprofit agencies that use state funds to provide critical services to the homeless, the hungry, the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bills address budget standoffs The state budget debacle has produced an assortment of bills designed to prevent future stalemates or mitigate the impact if one occurs again. These bills face the same challenge as legislation introduced periodically to revamp the process for redrawing state legislative districts every... - Scranton Times

Not so fast: Pa. House crafts its own liquor reform plan as part of budget Two days after the Senate passed a laundry list of liquor reforms that kept the state-run system in place, the House has begun drafting a plan of its own. The Senate plan, passed with the approval of Gov. Tom Wolf, was always going to be a hard sell in the House. Not only did the Senate cast aside an... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

PA liquor reform: Is wine coming to a supermarket near you? Pennsylvania's protracted budget debate has already taken on a Dickensian feel. Christmas is around the corner and the state's inability to pass a spending plan has cash-poor non-profits and urban school districts scraping, ala Bob Cratchit, for change. Now add a visit from the ghost of booze debates past.... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania House GOP challenges Senate's budget package The Pennsylvania Capitol became suddenly quiet Friday as the House began to consider hundreds of pages of just-unveiled legislation sent over by the Senate in a lurching effort to end the state government's five-month stalemate... - AP

Some preschools shutting down until more state money becomes available Sue Buffton did her best “not to fall apart” Friday morning as she drove toward a preschool in Brookline. She counted along the way four state wine and spirit stores, lit in colorful, sparkling Christmas lights. Then she thought about the pre-kindergarten classrooms under her management... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

December 11 Pennsylvania's state budget talks, at loooonnnnng last, enter home stretch The six-month Pennsylvania state budget impasse - after months of political gridlock - is showing significant signs of breaking up. That's probably going to mean a tax increase for Pennsylvanians. (Negotiators from all sides are expected to meet this weekend to settle on... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Senate moves Pennsylvania budget fight into House's court HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Senate sprinted through hundreds of pages of just- unveiled budget legislation Thursday, handing it back to the House Republican majority and all but ensuring that a five-month stalemate that is crippling social services agencies would plow into next week... - AP

Scranton library takes out loan as state budget impasse drags on The Scranton Public Library must borrow $100,000 to keep its services as a District Library Center running while the state budget impasse continues. The library’s board of directors voted Thursday afternoon to dip into a $100,000 line of credit from Fidelity Bank to continue services in the... - Scranton Times

Penn State Helps Students While State Budget Impasse Withholds Aid The effects of the state budget impasse are being seen throughout Pennsylvania, especially in the education sector. A handful of western Pennsylvania school districts might stay closed after Christmas break. Schools statewide have borrowed almost $1 billion to survive the budget... - State College News

A look at the impact of Pennsylvania's state budget impasse The collapse of a second agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers threatens to extend the Pennsylvania state government budget stalemate deeper into December, its sixth month. Here is a look at some of the latest news on the impact:.. - AP

Senate could vote on Pa. budget again Pennsylvania is in its 163rd day without a state budget, but there were some signs of progress Wednesday. The Senate could vote today on a House budget bill that the Senate Appropriations Committee amended to make it look the same as the Senate's budget bill adopted Monday.... - Erie Times-News

Pa. budget stalemate cost approaches critical mass The collapse of a second agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers threatens to extend the state government budget stalemate deeper into December, its sixth month... - AP

State budget bill has Scranton commuter tax provision HARRISBURG — The state Senate approved a budget-related bill Thursday that includes a provision to let Scranton use local services tax revenue to help shore up its distressed pension funds. That means the tax on people who work in Scranton that increased this year... - Scranton Times

December 10 McKeesport Area officials increase line of credit in light of state budget impasse McKeesport Area School District officials authorized a $3.6 million increase of a line of credit from PNC Bank in anticipation of the state budget not being passed within the next few weeks. School directors unanimously approved the new tax and revenue anticipation... - McKeesport Daily News

Senate to press case in Pennsylvania budget showdown with House GOP HARRISBURG, Pa. >> The Pennsylvania Senate is planning to send budget legislation to the House, in hopes of persuading the GOP majority there of backing a plan that Gov. Tom Wolf supports to end a 5-month budget stalemate... - AP

Senate passes wine privatization bill; fate unsure in House HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania Senate advanced legislation Thursday supported by Gov.

Tom Wolf to break state government control over wine sales, but its fate was uncertain in the House, where majority Republicans demanded a stronger privatization measure be a companion to a... - AP

No PA budget: N. Lebanon district applies for loan With the state budget approval still pending, the Northern Lebanon School Board has until mid to late February before it runs out of money. Plans were made Tuesday to take out a $13 million loan to cover the bills. The directors, in a 7 to 2 vote, authorized the administration to move forward... - Lebanon Daily News

Senate committee looks at wine sales for hotels, restaurants HARRISBURG — Restaurants and hotels in Pennsylvania would be able to sell up to four bottles of wine to-go under a proposal passed by a state Senate committee Thursday morning. The proposal is expected to get a full Senate floor vote later today. It was passed in a mostly party-line vote with all Democrats and one... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Burgettstown school district considers shutdown over state budget impasse Strapped for cash, Burgettstown Area School Board members have two options if the state budget impasse continues past the half-year mark: borrow money to keep the schools open or close the doors beginning Jan. 4. All are watching what happens – or doesn’t happen – in... - Washington Observer- Reporter

Senate plans to pass more budget bills, leave Capitol More budget votes were planned Thursday in the Pennsylvania Legislature, but there was no indication House and Senate Republican leaders had resolved their differences over the size of the budget, now more than five months late... - AP

Westmoreland County Food Bank forced to cut some items Thousands of families who are assisted by the Westmoreland County Food Bank will be seeing fewer groceries in their packages. Low holiday donations from the community — combined with a lack of state funding — have forced the food bank to cut several items out of... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Wolf says he's sticking to budget deal, amid new GOP demand HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday he remains committed to the outlines of a budget deal he had struck with top lawmakers to end a five-month budget stalemate, a day after the House Republican majority revolted and passed a significantly smaller spending plan... - AP

Budget impasse trickles down to Armstrong libraries Some Armstrong County libraries will cut staff and hours if the state budget impasse continues into January. That's because the state funding that goes to public libraries is tied up until the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf pass a budget. The budget was due June 30, the same day Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed the... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Senate could vote on Pa. budget again Pennsylvania is in its 163rd day without a state budget, but there were some signs of progress Wednesday. The Senate could vote today on a House budget bill that the Senate Appropriations Committee amended to make it look the same as the Senate's budget bill adopted Monday.... - Erie Times-News

A look at who is feeling the pain of the Pa. budget impasse The collapse of a second agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers threatens to extend the Pennsylvania state government budget stalemate deeper into December, its sixth month. Who is suffering from the lack of a state budget? A list: NONPROFIT LAYOFFS... - Allentown Morning Call

A look at the impact of Pennsylvania's state budget impasse The collapse of a second agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers threatens to extend the Pennsylvania state government budget stalemate deeper into December, its sixth month. Here is a look at some of the latest news on the impact:.. - AP

December 9 School district may be forced to seek line of credit, soon If state budget stalemate persists into 2016, district may seek $8M As the state budget impasse nears its six-month mark, schools across the Keystone State are looking for funding from other sources while teachers and staff go without pay. TH_300X250 HAPPY AD... - Titusville Herald

Senate committee guts House budget, amends with budget framework plan The House's $30.3 billion budget plan didn't live long in the Senate on Tuesday. About three hours after the House voted 115-86 to pass its 2015-16 state spending plan, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 25-1 to amend its own $30.8 billion spending plan passed on Monday into the House budget... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

2 Pennsylvania districts may keep schools closed after break as budget impasse continues GREENVILLE, Pa. >> Two western Pennsylvania school districts say they may not reopen after the Christmas break if the state budget impasse continues... - AP

Citing budget crisis, Wolf to skip Pa. Society weekend HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf on Wednesday joined a chorus of lawmakers who say they will not attend this weekend's Pennsylvania Society gathering in New York City if the state's budget impasse isn't resolved. Speaking to reporters following his first public appearance this week, Wolf... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Two plans but no budget The sad saga of Pennsylvania’s nonexistent budget ebbs and flows. For most of the last five months and eight days, the news was ... well, there wasn’t much news. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has had his agenda — much more spending for education and whatever tax increases are necessary... - Levittown Intelligencer

Gridlock, Pa.-style: Harrisburg has now become Washington It happens every year. In February or March, the governor proposes a new budget, replete with hundreds of pages of details on how state dollars will be spent. This year was no different. Gov. Tom Wolf presented the first budget of his administration on March 3, more than 900 pages of revenue estimates and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf says he's committed to framework of budget deal struck with top lawmakers HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf says he’s still committed to the outlines of a budget deal he had struck with top lawmakers to end a five-month-old budget stalemate, a day after the House Republican majority revolted and passed a significantly smaller spending plan... - AP

House approves smaller budget bill HARRISBURG — The House approved a Republican-driven budget bill Tuesday by a mainly party-line vote as the state budget stalemate drags well into its sixth month. This measure, approved by a 115- 86 vote, contains a $30.3 billion spending plan smaller than envisioned in a budget framework negotiated in recent... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Harrisburg's new holiday songbook INSTEAD OF THE usual collection of high school choruses and holiday songs in the Capitol Rotund, perhaps we need a loop of piped-in music better suited to fit this season. Start with "Crazy," the 1961 Patsy Cline classic (written by Willie Nelson) , because the title's perfect and Patsy so well croons the condition of our... - Philadelphia Daily News

House GOP launches new round in Pennsylvania budget battle HARRISBURG, Pa. Widening a Republican rift in the Pennsylvania Legislature, House Republicans unilaterally attacked the state government's 5-month-old budget stalemate with a spending plan of their own Tuesday, rejecting a bipartisan Senate vote a day earlier on a rival approach endorsed by Democratic Gov.... - AP

Lancaster County commissioner decries 'unconscionable' state budget impasse as county prepares to borrow $35 million

Lancaster County is preparing to borrow as much as $35 million to meet payroll because of the failure of state lawmakers and the governor to agree on a budget. The move will cost taxpayers here tens of thousands of dollars in interest and bank fees and mark the first time since at least the 1980s the county... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

December 8 Senate's OK of $30.8 billion budget does not end impasse HARRISBURG — With taps echoing Monday in the Capitol hallways, the Republican-controlled Legislature took divergent paths toward a possible budget armistice with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. The Senate in a bipartisan vote overwhelmingly approved a $30.8 billion... - Allentown Morning Call

Impasse affects human services Five months into the state budget impasse, the number of contractors for Butler County Human Services seeking county funds to stay in business remains steady. Joyce Ainsworth, Human Services director, said about 13 or 14 contractors have asked for assistance. The department uses about 100 contractors to... - Butler Eagle

A look at budget plans in the Pennsylvania Legislature Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate are working toward passage of a budget package to end the state government's 5-month-old stalemate... - AP

Lack of funding for social services impacts budget December 8, 2015 By JIM RUNKLE [email protected] LOCK HAVEN - The Clinton County commissioners answered a number of questions about last week’s approval of a preliminary, $33.4 million budget for 2016. more »» - Lock Haven Express

State Senate passes pension overhaul for future state and school employees HARRISBURG — The state Senate passed a long-sought pension overhaul Monday as part of a bipartisan budget deal, though the bill’s future is suddenly uncertain in the state House. House Republicans in recent days have backed away from a previously agreed-to budget framework with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf that also included... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania budget plan highlights Pennsylvania budget plan highlights Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Republican- controlled Pennsylvania Senate are working toward passage of a budget package to end the state government's 5-month-old stalemate. The package is expected to include legislation overhauling Pennsylvania's two huge public-sector... - Allentown Morning Call

Dueling state budget plans set the stage for a showdown Two different budget plans saw action in Pennsylvania's GOP-controlled General Assembly on Monday, moving forward on separate but parallel tracks. Just hours after the Senate passed a $30.8 billion state spending plan, the House Appropriations Committee approved a leaner $30.3 billion budget on a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Senate casts first bipartisan budget votes HARRISBURG — The Senate approved compromise state budget and public pension reform bills Monday, casting the first bipartisan votes on pressing fiscal issues since the budget stalemate began July 1. However, bipartisanship was absent in the House where the majority... - Scranton Times

Pa. House passes budget, sets up Senate showdown HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a budget plan that starkly contrasts with the one being promoted by the Senate and Gov. Wolf, setting the stage for the latest showdown over how to end the state's budget impasse. The proposal, developed by Republican House members this weekend and passed... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania Senate, House move toward showdown on budget The Pennsylvania House and Senate moved toward a showdown over competing spending and tax

plans Monday, with the fate of suffering counties, schools and social services agencies hanging in the balance of a 5-month budget stalemate... - AP

December 7 State House GOP adopts own fiscal plan, jeopardizing budget deal HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Senate on Sunday began to move ahead with a state budget sup- ported by Gov. Tom Wolf despite movement by House Republicans to craft their own lower-spending bill. The Senate arrived at the Capitol for a rare Sunday... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Senate tries to forge ahead amid 11th-hour budget clash HARRISBURG — Lawmakers are trickling back into the Capitol for another day of work in an 11th-hour clash over a deal to end Pennsylvania's 5-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Senate moves on budget, pension reform bills to end impasse HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Senate forged ahead with budget legislation late Sunday by advancing a $30.8 billion spending plan along with significant changes to Pennsylvania's two mammoth public-sector pension plans... - AP

LETTERS: Pa. budget stalemate hurting adopted kids Has anyone talked about the budget impasse and now how it is affecting adoption subsidy for parents of adopted children and how the parents just received emails or letters days before the Thanksgiving holiday that payments will stop? I received my letter the other day and I felt very... - Pottstown Mercury

Senate to proceed with voting on $30.8 billion budget despite House GOP's opposition The latest development in Pennsylvania's seemingly never-ending 2015-16 state budget saga took what the Senate considers a step forward by positioning a $30.8 billion spending plan for a vote as early as Monday. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Sunday voted 25-1 to approve the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Berks County may join other counties in suing state over impasse Berks County isn't planning to wait quietly while Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf haggle over the state budget, delaying millions in aid due to the county. Berks has joined other counties in looking into suing the state through their statewide lobbying group, the County Commissioners Association of... - Reading Eagle

Money released for shelters, as anger grows over budget impasse HARRISBURG – Relief is coming to some agencies that are desperate for funds as a state budget impasse heads into its sixth month. In all, $4.75 million is being distributed to groups that help crime victims, said Jeff Sheridan, a spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

December 6 Political Winners & Losers: The budget just imploded - now what? Good Sunday Morning, Everyone. Well it looks like the budget framework we've all been hearing so much about is probably going to be blown to flinders when the House and Senate convene today. So we're going to have a tough time finding any winners this Sunday morning. But let's get to it, shall we?... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State House Republicans balking at compromise budget plan HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House Republicans revolted Saturday against the latest plan between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers to break a five-month budget stalemate, leaving two competing plans and any resolution in doubt... - AP

Monthslong budget impasse being felt in Centre, surrounding counties Money to do things that the government wants done in Pennsylvania is supposed to follow a prescribed course. By June 30, the state passes its budget for the fiscal year. Starting July 1, that money trickles out to the school districts, the counties, the agencies doing the rubber-meets-the-road work of taking care of... - State College Centre Daily Times

Lawmakers to return to Capitol to push clashing budget plans A revolt by Pennsylvania House Republicans is setting up competing plans to break the state government's five-month-old budget stalemate and sowing doubt about a resolution... - AP

Wolf says proposed budget will include 'historic' education funding Gov. Tom Wolf today said the state budget deal now in the works will include “a historic increase in education funding.” In an interview with the Post-Gazette today, the Democratic governor said his party and the Republican leadership have agreed to increases of $350... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania's state budget framework rattles apart over tax and spending issues Pennsylvania House Republicans abandoned the fragile state budget "framework" Saturday after members told caucus leaders they could not support the roughly $2 billion in new taxes needed to pay for it. Republicans said they will start work Sunday on a smaller, $30.3 billion... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Hard liquor: Reform efforts lack consensus as potential action on state budget nears. While the hard task of selling a new state budget - and the new taxes needed to balance it - began in earnest at the Capitol Friday, a key Republican desire is still proving just as contentious: liquor reform. In an effort to generate some forward momentum, Senate leaders sent to Gov.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House Republicans won't back budget deal Pennsylvania House Republicans revolted Saturday against the latest plan between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers to break a five-month budget stalemate, leaving two competing plans and any resolution in doubt... - AP

Pa. budget agreement may be collapsing HARRISBURG - A tentative agreement to end Pennsylvania's five-month-old budget impasse appeared to be collapsing Saturday night as Republicans in the House and Senate revealed starkly different plans for moving forward after a day of closed-door meetings. While Senate leaders announced they were closing in on agreements with Gov.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

December 4 Budget impasse puts Westmoreland County in financial bind Westmoreland County may have to borrow as much as $10 million early next year to keep the government functioning should the state's budget impasse continue, commissioners said Thursday. The ongoing budget dispute between lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf for the past... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

House bill offers tax break for businesses using natural gas State House Speaker Mike Turzai doesn't just oppose a severance tax on drillers. He wants to give a tax break to manufacturers using natural gas. The Republican leader's new Keystone Energy Enhancement Act aims to create jobs and infrastructure within Pennsylvania's natural gas, manufacturing... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Chester County To Stop Fronting Funds For State To Pay Critical Human Services Now in the sixth month of Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate, another county has announced they will no longer be able to front the money for the state to pay human services providers. Chester County has been paying for services the state should be reimbursing... - KYW News Radio 1060

Issues overshadow passage of county budget County commissioners unanimously passed next year’s $65 million budget without a tax increase, but not without a few hiccups. Outgoing Commissioner Brian Beader said he would support the budget, but said he “argued unsuccessfully” to reduce employees and funding for... - SHARON

Eichelberger: Budget deal could come next week By now, Pennsylvania residents frustrated by a budget delay of nearly six months might be wishing to knock state leaders into the middle of next week. - Altoona Mirror

Severance tax '100 percent guaranteed' to be in next Pa. budget, Wolf policy secretary says The severance tax might be dormant, but it's not dead. Republicans effectively negotiated it out of this year's budget, but Gov. Tom Wolf plans to introduce it in his second budget. Wolf campaigned on a severance tax to increase education funding. The severance tax was such a non-starter in this budget that Wolf's policy... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Working hard but still no budget Pennsylvania has now been without a budget for 157 days. The exact number isn’t really important at this point. We all know it’s been a long time. We’re also led to believe from what Gov. Wolf and Republican legislative leaders tell us that the two sides in the budget impasse are... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Republican lawmakers' study excoriates Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf on spending Without a state budget, the Wolf administration dipped into 2012 reserves for $140,000 to allow the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to establish a “Statewide Plan for Domesticated Animals.” “It is a questionable expense at any time, but particularly during a... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Wolf spokesman responds to Lechner's budget criticism A spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf said the governor wanted an opportunity to respond to County Commissioner Chairman John Lechner’s criticisms over Wolf’s handling of the state budget impasse. Lechner, a Republican, said Wednesday he blamed Wolf, the “CEO of the... - SHARON

Friday looms as important test of support for Pennsylvania budget deal Friday could be an important day in determining whether a sprawling proposal under negotiation by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Legislature's huge Republican majorities will put an end to Pennsylvania's five-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

County to state: No budget, no cash The Chester County commissions on Thursday sent a message to state government officials in Harrisburg who have failed to pass a budget for the current fiscal year: The check is not in the mail. The three commissioners, two Republicans and one Democrat, voted... - West Chester Daily Local News

Court grants Scranton School District permission to borrow $31.2 million The Scranton School District can borrow $31.2 million to pay off loans and avoid default, a court panel ruled Thursday. Now, the school board must determine whether securing a bond for that amount, or pursuing a lease deal for potentially millions more, is the best option.... - Scranton Times

Wolf: Deal reached on Pa. school funding Gov. Wolf said Friday morning that he and Republican leaders have agreed on how they will distribute an additional $350 million to state schools once the long-overdue state budget is enacted - a key plank as budget negotiations enter their final phase. During a radio interview with KQV-AM in Pittsburgh, Wolf was asked about... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget package to be put to the test Friday in closed-door meetings Friday could be an important day in determining whether a sprawling proposal being worked out by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers will put an end to Pennsylvania's five-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Wolf says proposed budget will include 'historic' education funding Gov. Tom Wolf today said the state budget deal now in the works will include “a historic increase in education funding.” In an interview with the Post-Gazette today, the Democratic governor said his party and the Republican leadership have agreed to increases of $350... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

December 3 Wolf spokesman: Framework is in place for budget Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders have reached a tentative framework on a budget to end a six-month impasse. "The governor is hopeful a budget will be passed as soon as possible," Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan said Wednesday. "He and Republican leaders reached... - Somerset Daily

State budget impasse leads Lackawanna County to increase borrowing Lackawanna County commissioners are preparing to borrow an additional $3 million to avoid major service disruptions from a state budget deadlock that is now in its sixth month. Commissioners on Wednesday held the first reading of an ordinance to borrow as much as $9.9 million under the routine tax anticipation note procedure... - Scranton Times

Details Still Elusive On Pa. Budget Deal Wednesday marked yet another day without any details to be had on a state budget deal that the governor and legislative leaders hope to enact in the next few weeks. At a Wednesday press conference, Governor Tom Wolf said “we have to be close” to a budget, but declined to put out what he called an... - KYW News Radio 1060

Wolf: Pa. will have budget 'much sooner' than Christmas Calling himself "the eternal optimist," Gov. Wolf on Thursday predicted that Pennsylvania will have a signed budget well before Christmas. But the Democratic governor shied away from divulging any new detail on how he and the Republican-controlled legislature plan to raise new dollars to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Tom Wolf says Pa. needs to update items subject to sales tax, regardless of budget HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf is defending a plan to lift state sales tax exemptions as part of a five-months-late budget deal with top Republican lawmakers to increase aid to public schools and narrow a long-term deficit. Wolf said Thursday that Pennsylvania's sales tax needs to be modernized and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Group may take legal action over impasse The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania is exploring legal options to end the five- month state budget impasse while local service providers and their clients are being urged to contact state legislators as they are being most affected by the lack of funding.... - Hazleton Standard- Speaker

Lechner: County doing best it can to provide services Though not in as dire shape as other counties across Pennsylvania, Mercer County is feeling the pain of the lingering budget impasse, dipping into nearly $4.5 million in reserves to cover the costs of needed services, particularly Children and Youth Services and the Behavioral Health... - SHARON

Pennsylvania budget planners say end in sight In the sixth month of a state budget stalemate, lawmakers may make a final push this weekend to agree on the details of historic education funding, expanding the sales tax base, reforming public pensions and making wine and liquor more readily available. The plan to increase state spending by 6 percent is far from finalized.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pennsylvania lawmakers to work weekend in budget stalemate Both the Pennsylvania House and Senate are planning to hold voting session days through the weekend as lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf's administration battle behind closed doors over a 5- months-late package of budget legislation... - AP

Wolf defends plan to lift sales tax loopholes in budget deal HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is defending a plan to lift state sales tax exemptions as part of a five- months-late budget deal with top Republican lawmakers to increase aid to public schools and narrow a long-term deficit... - AP

December 2 State budget update: 'We have a lot of tough decisions to make over the next week,' Reed says It appears the state House is ready to start the process of ending the five-month-old state budget impasse that has interrupted money from flowing to school districts, human service agencies and other vendors who do business with the commonwealth. Following a three-hour closed-door discussion with his caucus on Tuesday,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Erie County Library system to cut hours due to state budget impasse ERIE, Pa. -- Jud Sackett understands why the state budget stalemate -- now in its 155th day -- is affecting Erie County's library system. That doesn't mean he likes it. "Reading is important to everybody, Sackett, a 76-year-old Waterford Township resident, said while searching for a novel by author Brad Thor... - Erie Times-News

GOP leader says House considering broader use of sales tax HARRISBURG, Pa. The Republican leader in the Pennsylvania House said Tuesday budget negotiators were considering whether to apply the state's sales tax to more goods or services in a bid to end a 5- month-old stalemate... - AP

Promises and Prayers: Budget impasse seriously hurting social service agencies Area social service agencies continue to struggle to meet at least some of the local needs while the budget stalemate continues in Harrisburg. Service providers met in mid-November with local lawmakers, who offered no promises, but said a budget was possible by Thanksgiving. There is still no... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

State budget stalemate costs yet to be addressed HARRISBURG — Northeastern Pennsylvania nonprofits face hundreds of thousands of dollars in loan interest payments as the state budget stalemate goes into its six month. “The hole keeps on getting deeper and deeper,” said Gary Drapek, executive director of United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties on... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Stack: Budget deal could pass next week WILKES-BARRE — Lt. Gov. Mike Stack told King’s College students on Tuesday that he and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf have been off to a “rocky start,” but he thinks a state budget will be passed by next week. Pennsylvania’s budget impasse is nearing the six-month mark and... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Few details as Pa. budget impasse lingers HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's budget impasse entered its sixth month Tuesday, with scant new details about what shape a final deal might take. Frustrated lawmakers emerged from closed-door meetings with few revelations about if, how, or where progress had been made. Some rank-and-file House... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State releases federal funds to domestic violence shelters Leaders of local domestic violence shelters received some welcome news Tuesday afternoon. That's when some of their federal funding started trickling in. Abuse victims turned away as Pa. budget impasse halts funding Survivors Inc, a shelter near Gettysburg, received $25,000 – about 13... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

December 1 Updated: Luzerne County judge grants county’s request to borrow $20 million to avoid shutdown The stress of a threatened Luzerne County government shutdown was lifted Monday, spreading a sense of jubilation throughout the courthouse. “I’m relieved we don’t have to resort to the other plan — a shutdown — because that would not benefit anybody,” said county... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Officials: County cash drying up Some Butler County officials are worried about the county’s financial ability to pay all of its obligations this year, but other officials are not. Commissioner Jim Eckstein is afraid the county cannot make all of its payments. “I’m saddened by it,” Eckstein said. “We have to make these... - Butler Eagle

Pa. budget this week seems unlikely HARRISBURG — Talks between Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers continued Monday as the Thanksgiving break ended, but there was scant detail and a lot of silence about how they intended to end a five-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

Cambria County officials decide not to sell unpaid tax claims EBENSBURG – As the state budget stalemate in Harrisburg continues, Cambria County’s commissioners are still holding off on the sale of delinquent tax claims for a revenue boost. The deadline for an approved budget was June 30, but legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf have been unable to find compromise – especially when it comes... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Pennsylvania Counties Look at Drastic Actions Against State Amid Budget Mess As Pennsylvania’s nearly sixth-month state budget impasse drags on, the commonwealth’s county governments continue to feel considerable fiscal pain. State funding for counties to administer human services programs dried up this summer, forcing many local leaders to make uneasy financial... - Route Fifty

Abuse victims turned away as Pa. budget impasse halts funding She found a few moments of safety to reach out for help. But the help wasn't there. A woman, who had been beaten one morning a few days before Thanksgiving, was seeking a safe place for herself and four young children. The Survivors Inc. worker on the other end of the phone in Adams County had... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

There’s no victory to claim in 6-months-late Pa. budget Can we just get this done? Gov. Tom Wolf seemed intent on having a nearly six-month-late state budget done by Thanksgiving. Now he’s set on having it done by Friday. The only deadline that matters — or used to matter, anyway — was midnight July 1, the beginning of Pennsylvania’s fiscal year.... - Butler Eagle

How to close a budget deficit?: Pa. talks may be turning to erasing some longstanding sales tax exemptions When Pennsylvania lawmakers return to the Capitol this week they may be asked to end some longstanding exemptions to the state's 6 percent sales tax in order to help balance a roughly $30.7 billion state budget. Seen by some Republican leaders as preferable to raising sales or personal... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Wolf optimistic about state budget deal Harrisburg, Pa. 153 days and counting without a state budget in place but both sides say it should be voted on soon. Governor Tom Wolf spoke optimistically with the media Monday saying the two sides' staff have been working out the details of an agreement that... - Wearecentralpa.com

Judge OKs $20M loan to keep Luzerne County government open WILKES-BARRE, Pa. A judge has signed off on a $20 million loan to keep a northeastern Pennsylvania county afloat while officials wait for a state budget impasse to end... - AP

Practical changes to liquor system should not stall state budget The state House recently approved and sent to the state Senate a new liquor store privatization bill. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

November 30 Editorial: Pa. needs a budget - now Only in Harrisburg could what has been happening now for better than four months be considered governing. Actually, in the halls of the state Capitol, they have another word for it: Business as

usual. Thanksgiving has come and gone. Pennsylvania still has no budget in place,... - West Chester Daily Local News

Counties, fed up with state budget impasse, explore feasibility of withholding funds County commissioners and other officials in Pennsylvania gather annually after the election to discuss important matters, but rarely has a situation been as dire as the state budget impasse entering its sixth month. Washington County Commissioner Harlan Shober, second vice president of the... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Creative charity The state’s budget impasse may impact the amount of money that is available to fund programs for those in need. The state has been without an operational budget since July 1 forcing some counties, schools and municipalities to borrow money to cover missing state... - Somerset Daily

County threatens to withhold $6.5 million in state funds amid budget standoff Members of Delaware County Council said they may have to resort to withholding $6.5 million in funds normally sent to Harrisburg and redirect it toward local human services if the state budget impasses continues. Gov. Tom Wolf’s press secretary, Jeff Sheridan, said Wolf is doing all... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Leadership lesson for Harrisburg Minus leaders in state government committed to getting things done, the Bucks County Commissioners have stepped to the plate. Commendations to Rob Loughery, Charley Martin, both Republicans, and Democrat Diane Ellis-Marseglia for putting party labels aside and voting... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Editorial: Turn the tables on Harrisburg’s shell game Two can play this game. That’s the message being delivered to Harrisburg from officials in Bucks County. They announced this week they would withhold all payments owed to the commonwealth until the state has a new budget in place. Good for them. Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in the state Legislature have been playing... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

State budget debacle can’t be duplicated Two messages jump out from Pennsylvania's five-month-long 2015-16 budget debacle. - Altoona Mirror

The Rundown: State budget impasse reaches five months Also: Toomey getting closer to victory to prevent 'passing the trash'; Argall pushes cost study of state-owned properties. - Reading Eagle

November 29 Incentive to finish the #PABudget? Trump set to headline Pa. Society Event: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative Republicans were making encouraging noises earlier this week about having a budget finished sometime in the first week in December. But did a billionaire presidential candidate just hand the GOP some extra... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Even now, it’s all or nothing Gov. Tom Wolf recently called for passage of the state government budget by Dec. 4, which seems reasonable given that the actual deadline for the budget was July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year. Remarkably, though, even as schools and social service agencies borrow... - Scranton Times

Too late for a tantrum For a moment, as Republican legislative leaders joined the Democratic governor to announce a hard- won budget framework, it looked as if Pennsylvania's divided government was working and even tackling difficult problems. That was a few weeks ago, before a faction of GOP members who are too... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Taxes remain key in Pa. budget after plans fail to hike sales tax, end property tax Pennsylvania is now five months into a budget impasse with taxes the main sticking point — a scenario familiar to anyone who's tried to understand the Byzantine motives that drive elected officials in its capital city... - AP

Budget blather: Wolf and lawmakers must end it this week It’s been nearly three weeks since Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders announced they’d worked out a “framework” for the overdue 2015-16 state budget. Two weeks later, everybody agreed that plan was all but dead. Now it’s back on, moving toward a possible vote as soon as... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Political posturing at the expense of policy Gov. Tom Wolf recently called for passage of the state government budget by Dec. 4, which seems reasonable given that the actual deadline for the budget was July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year. Remarkably, though, even as schools and social service agencies borrow... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Some Pennsylvania counties may sue state over budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month... - AP

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania's cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in... - Erie Times-News

As budget impasse lingers, counties push back It seemed like an inevitable display of frustration after days of mixed messages from Harrisburg on the fate of the long-overdue state budget. On Wednesday morning, Delaware County officials called a news conference to announce that they might stop sending payments to the state - and use the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

November 28 Will Pennsylvania counties withhold state cash? The notion of a county withholding money from the state doesn't make any sense to Steve Chronister. And when it's several million dollars over six months from a nearly $500 million consolidated budget, he sees it as a drop in the bucket. Bucks County, one of the state's largest counties, says it collects between four million and… - York Daily Record

November 27 Gridlocked: Counties may withhold state taxes & fees (Harrisburg) -- Pennsylvania's treasury may soon start to feel the effects of the state budget crisis. Bucks County, one of the largest in the commonwealth, says it collects between $4 million and $5 million a month for the state. For now, it plans to hold on to most of that money. Northampton County has also talked about a similar move… - WITF.org

Litigation sought for budget funds The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) is seeking action to end the budget impasse and “prevent future harm,” according to a release. During Wednesday's meeting, the Wayne County Commissioners provided an update from a CCAP conference they attended. “A lot of attention was given to the budget impasse,” stated Chairman Brian Smith… - Wayne Independent

November 26 Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and

at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - Daily Local News

Pennsylvania counties fight back against state's budget stalemate HARRISBURG, Pa. - Pennsylvania's cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the state government's budget impasse nears its sixth month. The stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers has meant a lack of state funding for counties, school districts and nonprofits, which in turn have… - WFMZ-TV

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - Herald-Mail Media

Impact of state budget stalemate lamented by Potter Co. commissioners COUDERSPORT — Commissioners in Potter County discussed the ongoing state budget impasse and a state association’s movement to draw attention to its impacts during their regular meeting held Wednesday morning in Coudersport… - Bradford Era

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - WTAE.com

November 25 Delaware County services imperiled by state budget deadlock Delaware County Council is growing increasingly alarmed about the impact of Pennsylvania’s five- month budget impasse on services to vulnerable populations, particularly at-risk children, the elderly and those with mental health issues. To protect its own budget and essential services, Delaware County is urging the governor to release funding… - Delaware County

State Senate backs off plan to attempt veto override on budget HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania state budget negotiations seemed to fall apart and come back together in hours Tuesday as Senate Republicans planned a vote to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a short- term spending bill but called it off after a meeting in his office.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. budget negotiations head into home stretch after another temporary disruption to budget framework The "framework" is back on. After a significant bump in the road that led to short-lived threats of a veto override attempt Tuesday afternoon, Republican legislative leaders emerged from a meeting with Gov. Tom Wolf with fresh commitments to strive toward a final, negotiated state budget agreement.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

County lawmakers won't attend annual NYC gala if budget isn't passed Lancaster County lawmakers are not planning to attend an annual gathering of the Pennsylvania political elite if the state budget impasse extends into mid-December. The Pennsylvania Society gala dinner will host political and business leaders Dec. 12 at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, honoring former Gov.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

PA-BGT: Mission Impossible? With budget negotiations teetering on the edge of collapse, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders again assured reporters on Tuesday night there would be a deal. “We’re very comfortable and optimistic that we can have this done in short order next week,” Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman said... - Politics PA

After override threat, budget talks resume HARRISBURG - After a day of jockeying - both in public and behind closed doors - Gov. Wolf and Republican leaders clung Tuesday night to their tenuous state budget agreement, and said they would work through the weekend to fortify the deal. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) emerged from Wolf's office... - Philadelphia Inquirer

PA Budget Deal Nearly Implodes, Again A state budget agreement narrowly avoided collapse again Tuesday, though the details of what is left in the tenuous deal remain unclear. There was a late-afternoon skirmish over what Republicans said were late-stage changes by Governor Tom Wolf to state pension benefits.... - WSKG News

The Latest: Budget work to continue after two-day whirlwind HARRISBURG, Pa. The latest from Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers on efforts to negotiate a deal to end Pennsylvania state government's five-month budget standoff (all times local):.. - AP

No-compromise budget stance is damaging Pa. | Editorial That sound coming from Harrisburg Monday was the "thud-thud-thud" of a shaky, pyramidal budget deal losing its foundation and collapsing upon itself. The tentative accord that had been reached by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders — an additional 1.25 percent in sales... - Easton Express-Times

Today's Editorial: Let's end this nonsense It appears the cliff Pennsylvania lawmakers have been pushing social service providers, educators, and others toward for five months may claim its first victim soon in the 148-day stalemate. After a brief bout of optimism several weeks ago when a “framework”... - Sunbury Daily Item

If only money grew on trees The Pennsylvania Senate narrowly rejected a measure Monday night to eliminate billions of dollars in school property taxes statewide by replacing the money with increases in state tax rates on sales and income, although the legislation could re-emerge with more support.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf: 'Theatrics' holding up budget HARRISBURG — A two-day whirlwind of accusations, counter-accusations and a threat to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a short-term spending bill yielded no firm assurances Tuesday night that Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate would end soon... - AP

No sign state budget impasse will end soon HARRISBURG — A two-day whirlwind of accusations, counter-accusations and a threat to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a short-term spending bill yielded no firm assurances Tuesday night that Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate would end soon... - AP

State budget update Yes, we lack a state budget. But nearly five months into the 2015-16 fiscal year, more than $9 billion in tax receipts has been taken in by the Department of Revenue, the majority of it through collection of sales and Personal Income taxes. It is these very taxing vehicles that appear to be at the root of the... - Gettysburg Times

Budget work to continue after whirlwind of finger-pointing HARRISBURG, Pa. A two-day whirlwind of accusations, counter-accusations and a threat to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a short-term spending bill yielded no firm assurances Tuesday night that Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate would end soon... - AP

Mullery and Yudichak express anger, frustration over budget impasse WILKES-BARRE — State Sen. John Yudichak and State Rep. Gerald Mullery expressed anger and frustration Tuesday when talking about the current state of budget affairs in Harrisburg. “My frustration over the lack of a budget has grown to anger,” Mullery said. “This budget impasse must end now. Having progressed to... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Senate Republicans call off veto override vote; budget negotiations continue Senate Republicans have called off plans for a possible vote to override Gov. Tom Wolf's September veto of a stopgap budget plan. Followng reports that the fragile budget framework they had crafted was on the verge of falling apart, Senate Republicans late Tuesday afternoon said... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Smart Talk: Counties could sue PA over budget holdup So this is what it has come down to. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has directed its legal counsel to research whether counties can sue the state in an effort to force the release the state federal funds owed to the counties for essential services. In the meantime, several counties are considering withholding millions of dollars… - WITF.org

Bucks County to Harrisburg: You're officially cut off Budget-deadlocked Harrisburg is now officially cut off from Bucks County tax revenues. At noon Tuesday, county officials said they ceased sending some tax money and court fees to the commonwealth in an act of protest over the state’s 147-day budget impasse. “We’ll keep the money until the [state] budget is passed or they... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Montour County commissioners-elect witness decision on state budget impasse DANVILLE — Montour County Commissioners Elect-Ken Holdren and Dan Hartman witnessed the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania authorize its attorney to explore options to end the current six-month state budget impasse and prevent future threats to key human services... - Sunbury Daily Item

County to Pennsylvania: No state budget, no tax payments DOYLESTOWN, Pa. Elected officials in a suburban Philadelphia county have turned the tables on state government, withholding all tax payments owed to Pennsylvania because state lawmakers and the governor have failed to reach agreement on a budget... - AP

Counties consider suing state for funds As York County continues to dip into its $20 million line of credit, the association that represents Pennsylvania counties is exploring legal options to get crucial funding released from the state as a budget impasse nears the five-month mark. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania gave its legal counsel... - York Dispatch

No sign state budget impasse will end soon HARRISBURG — A two-day whirlwind of accusations, counter-accusations and a threat to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a short-term spending bill yielded no firm assurances Tuesday night that Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate would end soon... - AP

PA County to ransom tax payments over budget deadlock DOYLESTOWN (AP) — Elected officials in a suburban Philadelphia county have turned the tables on state government, withholding all tax payments owed to Pennsylvania because state lawmakers and the governor have failed to reach agreement on a budget... - AP

PA County to ransom tax payments over budget deadlock DOYLESTOWN (AP) — Elected officials in a suburban Philadelphia county have turned the tables on state government, withholding all tax payments owed to Pennsylvania because state lawmakers and the governor have failed to reach agreement on a budget... - AP

State budget impasse threatens Dauphin County Commissioners’ proposed no-tax-increase budget for 2016 HARRISBURG, PA (November 25, 2015) – The Dauphin County Commissioners proposed a $243 million preliminary budget for 2016 that increases spending by less than 1 percent and holds the line on property taxes for the 11th straight year. But in looking at the increasing cost of paying for human services out of county reserves … - Dauphin County

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff

Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - PennLive

Counties may sue Pennsylvania over 5-month budget standoff Pennsylvania’s cash-strapped counties are saying enough is enough as the budget impasse in Harrisburg nears its sixth month. They are exploring a lawsuit to force the state to release funds, and at least one already declared it will protest by withholding millions of dollars it collects in state real estate transfer taxes and court fees… - Pittsburgh Sun Times

As budget impasse lingers, counties push back It seemed like an inevitable display of frustration after days of mixed messages from Harrisburg on the fate of the long-overdue state budget. On Wednesday morning, Delaware County officials called a news conference to announce that they might stop sending payments to the state - and use the cash to fund local human services programs… - Philly.com

Dauphin County commissioners consider lawsuit, withholding revenue from state Dauphin County commissioners are considering withholding licenses, fees and tax revenue from the state until the state budget impasse is resolved. The action follows a motion unanimously approved by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania… - PennLive

November 24 The Latest: Republicans eye veto override in budget fight HARRISBURG, Pa. The latest from Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers on efforts to negotiate a deal to end Pennsylvania state government's five-month budget standoff (all times local):.. - AP

Wolf says ball in GOP's court after budget deal blowup HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf says the ball is in the court of Republican lawmakers after GOP majority leaders backed out of a sales tax increase they had proposed to seal the deal on a five- months-late budget... - AP

Gov. Tom Wolf: Deal to end budget stalemate 'in deep peril' HARRISBURG — A verbal agreement might lead to a signed deal in the corporate sector, but not in politics, Gov. Tom Wolf is learning in his first term. In a speech Monday, Wolf said the framework is breaking apart for a deal his Democratic administration built in recent weeks with Republican... - Allentown Morning Call

Truitt, Dinniman speak on lack of state budget WEST GOSHEN >> The Pennsylvania state budget is almost 150 days overdue. The Pennsylvania NAACP held a public forum for residents of Chester and Delaware counties at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in West Chester on Thursday night to discuss the impending crisis.... - West Chester Daily Local News

State budget give and take The looming budget deal between Gov. Wolf and Republican legislative leaders that appeared to be imminent now is in jeopardy. Apparently, unexpected broad support for a Senate measure to completely eliminate property taxes threatens to derail a fragile budget accord, which... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Gov. Wolf fears property tax discord has derailed tentative budget framework HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders acknowledged Monday that they have not reached agreement on how the state should lower local property taxes under a framework intended to end Pennsylvania’s five-monthlong budget impasse. They differed on another point, as well: Whether the property tax... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Northampton County controller wants to withhold state revenues as the budget crisis drags on

Northampton County Controller Stephen Barron has urged county officials to withhold the revenue it collects for the state as a budget impasse drags on in Harrisburg. About $220 million of the county's $330 million budget comes from state and federal funds, money that cannot pass through while the... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania counties authorize legal action to end budget stalemate HERSHEY — Pennsylvania counties on Monday authorized legal counsel to explore options to end the five-month state budget impasse and to prevent future threats to key human services programs provided at the county level. County commissioners from across the state adopted a motion by Jeff Haste,... - Indiana Gazette

Must someone sue to get a state budget? THE ISSUE The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania voted Monday to look into suing state government for the release of state and federal funds for essential services such as “mental health, intellectual disability, drug and alcohol, older adult protective services, and especially child... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pennsylvania counties consider suing the state as budget delay drags on County commissioners across Pennsylvania want to send a message to Harrisburg about the protracted state budget stalemate pitting the Republican-dominated legislature against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. That message is “enough is enough,” said Craig Lehman, Lancaster... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

State budget unlikely by Thanksgiving All hope that a state budget deal will be reached by Thanksgiving appears to be lost. "It's not happening now," said Rep. Stan Saylor, R-Windsor Township. "It seems we're not even close now." The once-heralded framework pieced together by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and... - York Dispatch

The Latest: Property tax rebate deal blocked by disagreement HARRISBURG, Pa. The latest from Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers on efforts to negotiate a deal to end Pennsylvania state government's five-month budget standoff (all times local):.. - AP

November 23 Pennsylvania state budget impasse: counties may protest by keeping revenue owed state With cash running out because of Pennsylvania's five-month budget impasse, the Bucks County commissioners want to give the state a taste of its own medicine. They may keep up to $5 million a month that county offices routinely forward to state coffers in the way of real estate transfer taxes and court... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

No budget, no Pa. Society for me, lawmakers say, report: Monday Morning Coffee Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers. The annual Pennsylvania Society gala, that great northward migration that finds lawmakers, lobbyists and other members of the Keystone State's chattering and political classes traveling to Midtown Manhattan for a weekend of elbow rubbing and networking, may be on the endangered species... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Property tax plan collapses, imperiling Pa. budget HARRISBURG - A historic plan to cut property taxes statewide teetered near collapse Sunday, imperiling with it the tentative budget deal struck this month by Gov. Wolf and leaders of the Republican-led legislature, according to officials familiar with the negotiations.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The case for (limited) property taxes Things fall apart. On Saturday night, top House Democrats informed rank-and-file members that Republicans had told Wolf, a Democrat, that there isn’t enough GOP support for a state sales tax increase — from 6 percent to 7.25 percent — to generate $600 million to balance the budget and $1.4 billion in... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Week in review: Social service agencies reeling under budget impasse Good week Owen J. Roberts School District: District officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the construction of the new East Vincent Elementary School, a $27 million project. The district also is planning for the construction of a new East Coventry Elementary at a cost of $28 million.... - Reading Eagle

Child protection funding 'not essential' during budget impasse By Bernadette Bianchi Amid all the political posturing and the hard lines drawn, there has been a complete absence of logic regarding funding for child protection in Pennsylvania during the budget impasse. In this process, some of the most vulnerable residents of the state are being put at risk.... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Partisan feud erupts over proposal to end budget stalemate HARRISBURG, Pa. — The structure of a deal to end Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate appears to be in trouble... - AP

County council divided on plan to borrow $22M from state Members of Luzerne County Council remain bitterly divided over a plan to borrow $22 million that’s been held in limbo due to the state budget crisis, with one councilman being courted by both sides as the likely deciding vote. A week of crucial decisions await the council — which also may vote... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

New budget must end state’s liquor monopoly November 21, 2015 It’s hard to tell how much progress has been made behind closed doors in the nine days since Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders announced their agreement on a budget framework. more »» - Altoona Mirror

November 22 Pa. sales tax looks to climb; so does unfairness, critics say Pennsylvania soon might raise its statewide sales-tax rate to the second highest in the nation, a move that experts say would hit low-income residents the hardest while making local businesses less competitive with neighbors in Delaware and New Jersey. And in Philadelphia, where a local sales tax is also imposed, the rate... - Philadelphia Inquirer

School property tax fight brewing in Pennsylvania HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania state Senate is juggling a long-simmering fight over who pays for public schools just as Gov. Tom Wolf and top lawmakers try to hold together the skeleton of a five- months-late budget deal... - AP

Pa. state budget talks showing renewed signs of stress, this time over property tax relief Several Democratic and Republican sources told PennLive Saturday that the ambitious "framework" upon which the long-delayed Pennsylvania state budget was to be delivered is showing new signs of stress. Publicly, it's important to note that no one was calling the deal dead as... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

County budget decisions more difficult HARRISBURG — County officials face increasingly difficult and complicated decisions about their own fiscal houses as the state budget stalemate enters its sixth month. Most counties have already been forced to take such actions as suspending or delaying payments to service providers, creating waiting lists for... - Scranton Times

November 20 Bucks to state: No money for you Bucks County officials have had it. Like their counterparts in the commonwealth’s 66 other counties, they are tired of paying for programs the state of Pennsylvania should be paying for. Fed up with carrying state lawmakers who for nearly five months have made a mockery of the phrase... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Impasse may force second loan LEWISTOWN - With the state budget impasse well over 130 days and counting, officials of the Mifflin County School District are beginning to think ahead in terms of whether or not a second loan will be needed to keep schools open. During Thursday's business meeting of the Mifflin County School District... - Lewistown Sentinel

Why are liquor stores essential, but not child protection? | Guest column By Bernadette Bianchi Amid all the political posturing and the hard lines drawn, there has been a complete absence of logic regarding funding for child protection in Pennsylvania during the current budget impasse. In this process, some of the most vulnerable residents of Pennsylvania are being put at risk.... - Easton Express-Times

Senior centers will reopen when budget is passed MERCER COUNTY – With 21 of his workers laid off and three senior citizen centers shut down for nearly two weeks now, Sam Bellich is keeping his fingers crossed for a budget resolution by Thanksgiving, as he wards off public skepticism that the centers will never reopen.... - Sharon Herald

Westmoreland County's $42M surplus nearly gone A healthy surplus of nearly $42 million on the books four years ago is close to gone in a preliminary budget released Thursday by Westmoreland County commissioners. The $310 million spending plan carries a $22.3 million deficit that would be covered by surplus funds — leaving the county with just $1.4 million... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Will Pennsylvania raise its $1.60 cigarette tax to help balance the budget? For every purchase of a pack of cigarettes in Pennsylvania, $1.60 goes to the state. But that tax could soon be going up as part of the state's budget woes. Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders in the Pennsylvania General Assembly have been busy negotiating a state budget framework -- which was due nearly five... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

November 19 Budget deal no good Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget deal is going to place more of a tax burden on Pennsylvania citizens (via higher sales tax rates). This will come on top of what is already one of the highest tax rates in the nation at the gas pump, and would not put a tax on natural gas... - State College Centre Daily Times

Fed up with Harrisburg, Bucks County could withhold state taxes, fees Take that, commonwealth. One hundred forty-one days into Pennsylvania's budget standoff, officials in Bucks County said they're fed up, running out of cash and prepared to start withholding tax money and fees destined for Harrisburg. Every month, Bucks collects between $4 million and $5 million in taxes and... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Pennsylvania should adopt a two-year budget By Lt. Gov. Mike Stack Over the past two and a half decades, five Pennsylvania state government budget impasses have lasted longer than 10 days. In addition to this year’s budget, which is now more than four months late, major deadlocks occurred in 2009, 2007, 2003 and 1991.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pa. budget twist: Attack on school property tax HARRISBURG - It might be a wake-up call to anyone expecting a smooth path to a final state budget. Senate Republicans plan to vote next week on a proposal to eliminate property taxes as a source of school revenue and replace them with hikes in the sales and personal income taxes. And the bill's key sponsor says he has... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Looming shutdown: Local legislators say it’s time to resolve budget impasse WILKES-BARRE — Asked Wednesday about the possible shutdown now facing Luzerne County, Jeff Sheridan, press secretary for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, said the governor is doing everything he can to reach a final budget as soon as possible. But, Sheridan said, the governor can’t do it alone.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Luzerne County officials say $20M is needed to get through year WILKES-BARRE — The money’s not there. Luzerne County officials say they don’t have enough money right now to meet all expenses for the rest of the year. Looming sooner than that is another deadline: Dec. 15. That is when the county must make an approximately $8 million debt service payment.... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Our view: 'Devil's in the details' of state budget plan Pennsylvania's Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf say they have agreed to a framework for a compromise on the state budget. With a Republican-controlled Legislature and a Democratic governor, the need for compromise should have been apparent and compelling well before... - Erie Times-News

Looming shutdown: Seniors blame Harrisburg for county’s financial pickle WILKES-BARRE — At the the Kingston Active Adult Center, Table Seven is the “cool” table. With about eight program participants routinely taking a seat, sharing a meal, telling jokes and discussing political realities, the table seems to serve as the heartbeat of the attitudes and opinions of the center as a... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

$5M shortfall in Spring-Ford school budget blamed state stalemate Royersford >> Harrisburg’s inability to pass a budget has made it nearly impossible for officials in the Spring-Ford Area School District to present a 2016-17 proposed budget. During Monday night’s meeting, James D. Fink, the district’s new business manager, who’s only been on the job for three months, stood... - West Chester Daily Local News

November 18 The great Pennsylvania property tax debate: The concept, the facts, the questions The promise of property tax relief that Gov. Tom Wolf refused to completely drop during this year's budget stalemate came roaring back to life last week. That said, it's still not at all clear whether this revival will make a final agreement on a 2015-16 state budget easier or harder to wrap up.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Last call on liquor: This budget must end government’s monopoly It’s hard to tell how much progress has been made behind closed doors in the nine days since Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders announced their agreement on a budget framework. This seems certain, though : They have a long way to go before completing any deal.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Get it done, Harrisburg Over the last few months, I, and each of my colleagues, have written stories about the lack of a state budget. - Warren Times Observer

United Fund releases $25,000 early due to state budget impasse ELLWOOD CITY – The state budget impasse is having an adverse effect on local social services agencies, but the Ellwood City United Fund has stepped up to help. Connie MacDonald, president of the local United Fund, announced Monday that several United Fund agencies would receive their allotment of funds,... - Ellwood City Ledger

State Senate delays property tax elimination vote HARRISBURG — The Senate postponed a vote Tuesday on a much-touted plan to replace school property taxes with expanded state sales and income taxes until next week to allow more review of the issue, a top Senate Republican leader said. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, said staff lawyers will... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Hope for a budget, with K-12 funding THE ISSUE The “framework” budget agreement being negotiated between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders includes $350 million more for basic education and $50 million more for special education. The governor’s spokesman, Jeff Sheridan, also says the... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

County council votes down $20M borrowing plan WILKES-BARRE — Harry Haas was angry. He had a message for Gov. Tom Wolf. In the midst of Luzerne County Council’s discussion of $20 million of unfunded borrowing, the county councilman held his microphone close to his mouth and spoke loudly. “I want the governor to hear my voice. I hope this recording gets to... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Budget deal no good Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget deal is going to place more of a tax burden on Pennsylvania citizens (via higher sales tax rates). This will come on top of what is already one of the highest tax rates in the nation at the gas pump, and would not put a tax on natural gas... - State College Centre Daily Times

November 17 Wolf: December more realistic for final budget HARRISBURG - Although the monthslong impasse over a state budget seems poised to end, a final spending plan probably won't be enacted until December, Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday... - AP

Luzerne County government will shut down unless it votes to borrow $20 million Swetz Lawton Story Tools: Social Media: The entire Luzerne County government will shut down if the county council doesn’t vote to borrow $20 million today, not just Children and Youth and other human service agencies impacted by the state budget impasse, officials said.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Wolf off-base on education It’s sad when Gov. Tom Wolf’s idea of leadership is to send Democrats like me emails blaming Republicans for his failure to pass a budget. In one email, Wolf offered the rather curious insight that an ad from oil and gas interests doesn’t put forth a plan for schools that teach.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Budget impasse threatens Berks County social services READING >> Pennsylvania’s failure to pass a budget has caused many social service agencies that rely on state funding to scramble to keep the lights on. To determine the local impact of the state’s budget impasse, Berks County Community Foundation surveyed nonprofit organizations from Nov. 9 to... - Pottstown Mercury

Property tax relief at center stage of state budget HARRISBURG — School property tax relief is at center stage of a top-level effort to end the five-month state budget stalemate. A proposal to use new state sales tax revenue to provide property tax cuts for homeowners is part of an emerging compromise framework for a budget... - Scranton Times

Early returns: Who's looking good (and not so good) as the Pennsylvania budget impasse enters home stretch All them look terrible and all them ought to go. Citizens should force term limits, just like the Governors, on the legislators and pass a law barring them and their chiefs of staff from working as lobbyists for seven years after they leave office. Wolf will be in one term, the only reason he won was that Corbett was so... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Harrisburg's mixed messages Any casual watcher of doings in Harrisburg these days easily can be confused. For example, I bumped into Gov. Wolf on Monday while he was (yes) driving his Jeep on the upper plaza in front of the Capitol's main entrance. A member of his security detail was in the passenger's seat. A black SUV... - Philadelphia Daily News

Budget stalemate squeezing Berks nonprofits It may not seem so on the surface, but the Community Prevention Partnership of Berks County is hanging on by a thread. Despite a delay in essential funding due to the state budget impasse, the nonprofit agency has managed to continue its mix of programs targeting... - Reading Eagle

New liquor privatization bill gets initial OK from Pa. House committee By Andrew Staub, PA Independent HARRISBURG >> House Speaker Mike Turzai has introduced another privatization bill extracting Pennsylvania from the hooch business, but there’s no promise it will be the final iteration of liquor reform included within a broader state budget agreement that’s starting to... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

PA budget deal causing Capitol buzz HARRISBURG — One week before Thanksgiving, the Capitol buzzed Monday with lawmakers, Gov. Tom Wolf and special interest groups gearing up for a possible deal to end the state's months-old budget stalemate. Here, a House committee took less than 15 minutes to pass a bill to... - Allentown Morning Call

November 16 Pa. citizens left holding the bag in budget plan Welcome to Pennsylvania, home of split-personality voters — and divided government. Now we’re about to find out how much this dysfunctional voting pattern is going to cost. Tired of four years of austere budgets under former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett — and despite his protests that it was the absence of federal... - Pottstown Mercury

Budget impasse creates funding challenges for child care providers When Bridgette Medva drops off her children, ages 2 and 3, at Beaver's Kiddie Korner Child Development Center before work, Pennsylvania's budget impasse isn't usually at the front of her mind. But lately, Medva -- a working single mom who qualifies for reduced-price... - Beaver County Times

Who are the property tax winners and losers in the #PaBudget?: Monday Morning Coffee Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Legislative negotiators and the Wolf administration return to the Capitol this Monday morning to resume work on a budget "framework" that everyone hopes will result not only in a final agreement, but in that critical combination of 102 House votes, 26 Senate votes and one gubernatorial... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Liquor privatization revived amid ongoing budget negotiations Legislation that would privatize Pennsylvania's liquor distribution system has been resurrected as negotiations continue between lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf. The perennial issue of what to do with the state stores will likely play a key role as the budget impasse approaches its fifth month. Many Republicans... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget 'framework': Who's happy now? PICKING A POLITICAL winner in the budget "framework" announced with few details last week in Harrisburg is a little like playing fantasy football. All the right issues (just like players) are in the game - liquor, pensions, schools and taxes - but how they play out is anybody's guess.... - Philadelphia Daily News

Heyl: Budget for Thanksgiving? Heck, let's wait until Easter Root for the impasse. A proposed budget agreement between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders remains short on details. But in what passes for progress in Pennsylvania, the impasse that began just before Independence Day conceivably could end with the carving of the Thanksgiving turkey.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Agencies, clients push need for state budget Officials from social service agencies throughout Fayette County told lawmakers Friday about having to lay off care providers and write letters to vendors, telling them there was no money to pay their bills because of the state budget impasse. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

The $2B question has no answer in sprawling budget deal HARRISBURG — It is the $2 billion question: Which Pennsylvania homeowners will get the biggest benefit from a higher state sales tax?.. - AP

FULL STORY: State budget standoff protest organized by county Human Services Dave Crowe and Mark Weindorf want Pennsylvania legislators to know the lack of a state budget is hurting people who need the most help. That's why Crowe and Weindorf are joining Crawford County Human Services for a Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Rally on Wednesday.... - Meadville Tribune

6 ways the proposed state budget deal could affect you ERIE, Pa. -- After nearly 140 days, Pennsylvania still doesn't have a fiscal-year budget. But negotiators have the framework for a deal that could be approved before Thanksgiving. First-term Gov. Tom Wolf didn't get everything he wanted, notably a tax on the Marcellus Shale gas industry, at least for this year. And Republican... - Erie Times-News

Pa. budget deal will hurt the poor Editorial: It’s disappointing that Gov. Wolf and Republicans couldn’t come to some reasonable compromise on fracking. “Half a loaf.” That’s how Gov. Tom Wolf described the state budget deal he’s tentatively struck with Republican legislative leaders. Yeah, maybe it’s actually just a quarter of a loaf.... - York Daily

Local rally hopes to bring awareness to harm of impasse MEADVILLE — The Crawford County Department of Human Services is spearheading a rally on Wednesday afternoon to bring attention to the harm the state budget impasse is doing to the county’s most vulnerable citizens and the non-profit organizations that work with them.... - Titusville Herald

November 15 Budget deal best for now Not even a historic boost in funding for Pennsylvania schools can completely wash away the bad taste left by the regressive taxation included in the framework for a budget agreement that Gov. Wolf and Republican lawmakers have crafted to end a five-month stalemate.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf postpones decision to shut down horse racing Touting more progress made in Harrisburg this week on how to fix Pennsylvania's struggling horse- racing industry, the Wolf administration announced Friday that it had again postponed any decision to shut down tracks statewide. Citing talks that contained "positive steps forward," Secretary of... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The sprawling Pa. budget deal's $2 billion question It is the $2 billion question: Which Pennsylvania homeowners will get the biggest benefit from a higher state sales tax?.. - AP

Political Winners & Losers: A #PaBudget if they can keep it Good Sunday Morning, Everyone. Another week is in the books. State lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have a budget framework - if they can keep it. And our hearts grieve for Paris. Let's get started. The #PaBudget: There's a little something for everyone to dislike in the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget impasse creates funding challenges for child care providers When Bridgette Medva drops off her children, ages 2 and 3, at Beaver's Kiddie Korner Child Development Center before work, Pennsylvania's budget impasse isn't usually at the front of her mind. But lately, Medva -- a working single mom who qualifies for reduced-price... - Beaver County Times

A good tax: The Pa. budget should draw more from tobacco While the budget framework worked out by the governor and legislative leaders contains a 21 percent sales tax increase (from 6 percent to 7.25 percent), it’s hard to fathom why the tentative plan doesn’t call for raising the cigarette tax. Pennsylvania, after all, is hobbled by a $2 billion deficit, yet the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

6 ways the proposed state budget deal could affect you After nearly 140 days, Pennsylvania still doesn't have a fiscal-year budget. But negotiators have the framework for a deal that could be approved before Thanksgiving. First-term Gov. Tom Wolf didn't get

everything he wanted, notably a tax on the Marcellus Shale gas industry, at least for this year. And Republican... - Erie Times-News

Budget details must address school funding, property taxes, pension It took more than five months for Pennsylvania lawmakers to agree on broad concepts for the state's overdue budget. The bigger obstacle, as usual, may be hammering out the details. The tentative accord announced Tuesday by Gov. Wolf and Republican legislators - one they pledged to complete by Thanksgiving - means they... - Philadelphia Inquirer

November 13 Tempting budget deal does not make long-term sense It all sounds so good on paper: Raise the sales tax and use those revenues to finance reductions in school property taxes, the largest single bill that most of Pennsylvania's property owners pay every year. It sounds good enough that it has been used this week as the possible avenue to a budget... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Gov. Tom Wolf: budget compromise 'moves Pennsylvania forward' with higher sales tax but lower property taxes Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday in Lancaster he's not getting everything he wants in a proposed budget deal, but Pennsylvanians will benefit from lower property taxes and an historic increase in school funding. Wolf, a first-term Democrat, said increasing the sales tax from 6 to 7.25... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Senator ensures budget progress Senator ensures budget progress - Altoona Mirror

Hundreds rally in Wyomissing for elimination of property taxes Rick and Phyllis Cooper have had their share of emotional ups and downs fighting for the elimination of school property taxes. It's been discouraging at times, the Amity Township couple said as they waited for the start of a seminar on the proposal Thursday. Plans have... - Reading Eagle

Wolf: Renters may bear bigger burden in 'half a loaf' budget A proposed 21 percent increase in Pennsylvania's sales tax — part of a plan to end a nearly five- month-old state government budget stalemate — will fall more heavily on people who don't own a home, Gov. Tom Wolf acknowledged on Friday... - AP

Higher sales tax pitch for Pa. draws concern Shoppers accustomed to adding 6 percent to price tags might soon be adding 7.25 percent instead, a change that has drawn mixed feelings from the business community. In the latest twist in the Pennsylvania state budget stalemate, Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican lawmakers agreed to raise the state sales tax to... - York Daily

Pa. food pantries scrambling without state sustenance Connie Haibach surveyed 1,300 boxes of food being prepared for shipment to 3,000 hungry people in Crawford County by the Center for Family Services on Monday. She was dismayed by what was missing. The boxes had canned fruits and vegetables, juice and tuna. But there was... - SHARON

'I will be a no vote' and other lawmakers respond to proposed sales tax increase Few midstate lawmakers are saying whether or not they support a proposal to increase Pennsylvania's sales tax as part of the state budget framework. Leaders with the Pennsylvania General Assembly and Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced a framework for the state budget -- which is nearly five months... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

What a higher sales tax could mean for families Many people are wondering what a higher sales tax could mean for them after state lawmakers agreed to an increase as part of the broad outline of a budget deal. Learning the details of the budget framework is like a shell game, following the moving dollar. The proposed increased from 6 to 7.25 percent... - Carlisle Sentinel

November 12 County beefs up tax anticipation note over PA budget concerns DANVILLE — Montour County will take out a larger than usual tax anticipation note in case there is a budget snafu next year in Pennsylvania. The commissioners Tuesday voted to seek interest quotes for 2016 for $1.2 million in anticipation of real estate tax revenues which aren’t... - Sunbury Daily Item

Budget framework: This is progress? Pennsylvania was supposed to have a budget in place before Independence Day but state politicians are crowing that they might pass one by Thanksgiving. That is what passes for progress in the commonwealth, where a deeply regressive state taxation system that penalizes the poor is about to become... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Property tax debate takes the stage in Pennsylvania Capitol HARRISBURG, Pa. >> The debate over school property taxes in Pennsylvania is heating up as Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers look for ways to balance school boards’ authority to increase taxes at a time the state officials are considering raising the state sales tax to finance... - AP

Wolf Spokesman: Proposed Shale Tax A Casualty Of Compromise PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Governor Wolf’s spokesman says the governor had to make compromises to get new education funding and that’s why he gave up, for now, his push for a tax on natural gas drillers. Jeff Sheridan is Governor Wolf’s spokesman says: “We’re dealing... - KYW News Radio 1060

Editorial: There’s an end in sight to Pa. budget standoff Welcome to Pennsylvania, home of split-personality voters – and divided government. Now we’re about to find out how much this dysfunctional voting pattern is going to cost. Tired of four years of austere budgets and cuts in education funding under former Republican Gov. Tom Corbett – and despite his protests that it... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

County worries about payroll during state budget impasse The Lawrence County controller is worried the county won't make payroll till the end of the year if the state budget impasse continues past Thanksgiving. The budget stalemate has caused the county to use $1.7 million of its general fund tax money to pay for necessary state-funded expenses for... - New Castle News

Nonprofits outraged as funding dries up from budget impasse Norristown >> Belt-tightening, taking out lines of credit, bringing toilet paper to the office from home — these are some of the things social service agencies have had to do to get by during the state’s five-month budget stalemate. And it’s about to get worse.... - Lansdale Reporter

Proposed state budget framework still has many details to resolve HARRISBURG -- There are many parts to the proposed framework to end the months-long Pennsylvania budget impasse, and with them, many unanswered questions and concerns for observers across the spectrum of politics and issues. School business officials are applauding proposed increases of $350 million... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tax proposals in Wolf's Pa. budget remain contentious HARRISBURG — The complex budget package that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders are considering will be a tough sell in the General Assembly, legislators and analysts said Wednesday. It includes a higher sales tax, property tax cuts, more education funding... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

York biz owners want more details on proposed sales-tax increase Gayle Shadrach started her York City custom framing business 27 years ago, but if she were choosing where to locate her business now, a potential increase to the state sales tax might make her "think twice" about settling into Pennsylvania, she said. Under the most recent proposed budget agreement, Pennsylvania's sales tax... - York Dispatch

The Heron’s Nest: Sales tax sparking ‘Border Wars;’ Dems’ turf war in U.D. File this one under the least surprising story of the week. That increase in the state sales tax being pushed by Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders as part of their ‘broad framework’ of a state budget deal, is not going over especially well. Nowhere is that more true than in the lower end of Delaware County.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

After a scare, more details emerge in tentative budget deal By Kevin McCorry for NewsWorks on Nov 11, 2015 04:48 PM After a scare Tuesday, leaders in the Pennsylvania Capitol said that the framework of a state budget agreement is still intact. The tentative agreement includes a $400 million increase to K-12 public education this year.... - The Notebook

Philanthropies put spotlight on Pa. budget impasse's effect on social services Two major Pittsburgh philanthropies today launched a statewide campaign to push Gov. Tom Wolf and the legislature to pass a budget that will ensure a steady stream of funding to nonprofit agencies that provide basic human services to seniors, people with disabilities and other at-risk... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

State should restore lost school funds The refusal of state-level politicians to take on more responsibility for school funding has left Pennsylvania with the nation’s worst funding disparities between affluent and poor school districts. In Pennsylvania, the state government’s share of public school funding... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Wolf defends compromise deal as one Pennsylvanians will like Pennsylvanians will like the results of the deal under negotiation to end a state government budget stalemate now in its fifth month, Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday... - AP

Pennsylvania social service agencies struggle as budget crisis continues GETTYSBURG, Pa. — As Pennsylvania marks its 135th day today without an enacted state budget, the impact is being felt most severely at social service agencies that rely on state funding to help serve families in crisis, children, the disabled, the elderly and a range of other people in... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

From the budget table: Pennsylvania's proposed pension deal trades cuts in future workers' benefits for hoped-for taxpayer savings The pension reform department of the final state budget talks is aimed toward producing a new benefit plan for future state and public school employees that's come to be known as a "side-by-side hybrid." That's side-by-side, as in it's really two distinct pension plans working... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Wolf's sales-tax compromise a bad deal for consumers | Editorial Ow. Ow. Ow. Pennsylvania consumers would pay a 7.25 percent sales tax on everything (except food, clothing, prescription drugs) under a regressive budget compromise being touted in Harrisburg as the only way out of a bull-headed, four-month budget stalemate between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican... - Easton Express-Times

Luzerne County may seek $20M loan amid state budget stalemate WILKES-BARRE — In Luzerne County, and all across the state, officials are pointing to Harrisburg. The state budget impasse means the county might seek a $20 million loan to pay some employees and vendors and to make debt payments on time. The state owes the county about $22 million for county services that need... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Few state budget details emerge in York, hurdles remain As senior state lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf continue to negotiate a state budget, few details have emerged. Pennsylvanians could expect to see their school property taxes reduced by an average of 35 percent, said Rep. Seth Grove, R-Dover Township, adding... - York Dispatch

November 11

State budget negotiations stay on track HARRISBURG — After a tentative framework for a deal to end the Pennsylvania budget impasse was thrown into question Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican and Democratic legislative leaders appeared together to affirm that they are working toward a deal. Late Monday, the House and Senate Republican leaders said that they and the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Forward progress: Is the season of agreement afoot in Harrisburg? With the state budget impasse grinding into its fifth month, the governor and legislative leaders say they have agreed to a tentative framework for next year’s budget. It’s about time. Although only a few sketchy details are known and much work remains to reach an accord, this sign of progress fits in with positive steps on other... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

School districts: Proposal to require voter approval of tax hikes would be 'prescription for disaster' One potential piece of a deal in the works to end Pennsylvania's budget stalemate would require school districts to seek voter approval for every new real estate tax increase, and school districts are not happy with the idea — or Gov. Tom Wolf. District Superintendent Joseph Roy on Monday said a so-called back-end... - Allentown Morning Call

Wolf, GOP leaders: Budget deal still on track HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf and Republican legislative leaders scrambled Tuesday to fortify their tentative budget deal, hours after signs that the long-sought agreement may have been unraveling. Calling reporters to the governor's office for a late-afternoon update,... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Tom Wolf clarifies education spending number; budget talks are back on Crisis over. A wrinkle in Monday's announced state budget framework was ironed out at the highest levels Tuesday, setting the stage for a resumption of talks on the final, and much harder, details left in the far-flung package. The crisis popped up late Monday, when Gov. Tom Wolf's Press Secretary Jeff... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Five questions about the #PaBudget framework: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Well now that it looks like the budget framework is back on -- after some histrionics on Tuesday -- here are few questions we have about the emerging spending plan. Hopefully, details will emerge over the next few days.... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

November 10 Details of potential deal to break state's budget stalemate Details are emerging from negotiations to break Pennsylvania's budget stalemate, now in its fifth month... - AP

Local nonprofits right about impasse The current failure to pass a state budget was referred to as “a reckless political game of chicken.” A tarnished legacy for Gov. Wolf? An interesting and troubling letter appeared in the York Sunday News on Nov. 8t. Written by Aaron Anderson and signed by a plethora of nonprofit... - York Daily

Pa. lawmakers consider 'broad framework' to end 5-month budget impasse HARRISBURG — House and Senate lawmakers of both parties, as well as Gov. Tom Wolf, on Monday were considering the “broad framework” of a potential deal to break Pennsylvania's five-month budget stalemate that includes an increase in the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7.25 percent,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gov. Tom Wolf lauds "major commitment" for new school funding; Republicans describe different terms The Wolf Administration claimed a major victory in its protracted negotiations for a new state budget: a large increase in state aid to schools for the current academic year. But, as if to underline the fragile

nature of the ongoing talks, the two major parties gave different spins Monday on what, exactly they had agreed... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget deal near with higher sales tax, more school funding HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A potential deal to break Pennsylvania's budget stalemate in its fifth month includes a state sales tax increase, expanded school property tax cuts and hundreds of millions of new dollars for public schools, top state lawmakers said Monday... - AP

State budget moves forward HARRISBURG — Legislative leaders and the governor’s office said Monday that they have tentatively agreed to a framework for an end to the impasse that has delayed the Pennsylvania state budget more than four months. Leaders from both parties in the House and Senate briefed their members on... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Restore lost school funds The refusal of state-level politicians to take on more responsibility for school funding has left Pennsylvania with the nation’s worst funding disparities between affluent and poor school districts. In Pennsylvania, the state government’s share of public school funding... - Scranton Times

Pennsylvania budget framework unveiled at Capitol: Higher sales tax, lower property taxes at core Legislative leaders unveiled parts of a state budget framework Monday that could see a major school property tax relief plan roar back to life, on the shoulders of a 20.8 percent increase in the state's 6 percent sales tax. Under the new proposal, which leaders of all four caucuses briefed their... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget impasse is hurting seniors By Joseph J. Angelelli The Pennsylvania Lottery proudly proclaims that it “benefits older Pennsylvanians every day,” but this commitment has never been more threatened. The state budget impasse is into its fifth month, winners large and small of the Pennsylvania Lottery continue to collect jackpots, our... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gas tax unlikely part of tentative budget deal Legislative leaders and the Wolf administration said Monday they have a rough map to reach a final budget deal by Thanksgiving. “This is the first time I think that we’ve seen a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Jeff Sheridan, spokesman for Governor Tom Wolf.... - StateImpact

Pa. budget framework supports major funding boost for public schools By Kevin McCorry for NewsWorks Sources in the Pennsylvania Capitol say that the framework reached Monday for a state budget agreement includes a $400 million increase to K-12 public education this year. While $350 million would be funneled into the basic education subsidy, an... - Newsworks

York reps say state budget deal may be near Details of a possible state spending package emerged Monday, a sign that the monthslong budget impasse may soon come to an end. York County lawmakers said they are hopeful the deal could be finalized by the end of the month. "I'm optimistically hopeful," said Rep. Seth Grove, R-Dover Township. "It... - York Dispatch

PA-BGT: Budget Agreement to Include Sales Tax Increase, ‘Historic’ Education Spending After 19 weeks of negotiations, state officials are finally on their way to a comprehensive budget agreement. The latest attempt to end the budget impasse will see both sides making several major concessions, Marc Levy and Mark Scolforo of the Associated Press report.... - Politics PA

Pennsylvania sales tax could become 2nd highest in nation Pennsylvania's natural gas industry has again fended off a severance tax for another year, while a potential deal to end a budget stalemate now in its fifth month would make Pennsylvania's sales tax the nation's second-highest... - AP

Lawmakers and Gov. Wolf take steps forward in budget impasse HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says they are working with the Wolf administration and lawmakers on the other side of the aisle to end the budget impasse. Several issues are on the table, including increasing the sales tax from 6... - WHTM

November 9 Budget impasse having real impact I don’t know enough about politics to understand why the budget cannot be balanced on time. But I do know a 98-year-old woman who is paralyzed from the chest down, legally blind and hard of hearing. She is totally dependent on full-time care, and reimbursement money from... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Montco finished bailing out the state After shelling out more than $30 million over four months to make up for lost state funding and enable county social service agencies to continue their vital work of helping those in need, Montgomery County has said “enough.” Last week, on the recommendation of county Chief... - Levittown Intelligencer

Nonprofit leaders plead for budget resolution An open letter to Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly from York County’s nonprofit leaders. As leaders of York County’s nonprofit organizations, we are sensitive to the behind-the-door realities of budget negotiations. We appreciate the hard work it takes to draft sensible legislation. Further, we are grateful... - York Daily

Nonprofits outraged as funding dries up from budget impasse Norristown >> Belt-tightening, taking out lines of credit, bringing toilet paper to the office from home — these are some of the things social service agencies have had to do to get by during the state’s five-month budget stalemate. And it’s about to get worse.... - Pottstown Mercury

Schuylkill keeps agencies funded during budget impasse Latest loan brings total borrowed from county to $788,000 By Chris [email protected] As the state budget impasse reached its 128th day Thursday, Schuylkill County commissioners loaned its Office of Senior Services an additional $168,000 to help make ends meet.... - Lehighton Times News

Budget impasse hits area's most vulnerable As Pennsylvania enters its fifth month with no budget, many of the agencies serving Bucks and Montgomery counties' most vulnerable residents are facing some hard choices. At A Woman's Place, which operates Bucks' only domestic violence shelter, administrators are borrowing $75,000 a month to keep the doors open, the... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Pa. budget facing two paths YOU KNOW THE Robert Frost poem "The Road Not Taken," about two roads diverged in a wood? Well, that's exactly where Pennsylvania's needlessly long budget battle between Democratic Gov. Wolf and the Republican Legislature stands - at a point of divergent paths.... - Philadelphia Daily News

We want a #PaBudget deal by Thanksgiving, top House Repub says: Monday Morning Coffee Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers. When it comes to Monday mornings, we generally share the sentiment first voiced by the 1980s new wave band The Boomtown Rats. No, sir, we don't like them. But on this chilly Monday, there could be some reason for (very cautious)... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Optimism returns to state budget talks, despite differences HARRISBURG, Pa. — With Pennsylvania's budget stalemate in its fifth month, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Legislature's huge Republican majorities say the momentum of closed-door talks has picked up and there is cause for optimism... - AP

No budget, pension reform, liquor and a voter referendum On a day when yet another vote is scheduled in Harrisburg for a new budget for Pennsylvania, we

want to again urge state lawmakers to find common ground and move forward. If no compromise is found, we predict you'll begin to see schools and social service agencies close, lawsuits filed, and taxpayers' and voters'... - Lock Haven Express

Sources: Wolf, GOP reach school-spending deal Gov. Wolf and Republican legislators have reached a tentative agreement to increase state education spending by $750 million over two years, according to three sources with knowledge of the discussions -- a potentially significant breakthrough in Pennsylvania's five-month-old budget impasse.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Smart Talk: Housing during budget crisis and expansion of housing trust; Rape crisis centers asking for loans from businesses What to look for on Smart Talk Monday, November 9, 2015: So what legislation was approved by a 242-1 vote and gotten Gov. Tom Wolf's signature last week? It's a law that expands the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Act -- the state's housing... - WITF

State budget impasse may force schools to borrow funds - School districts in Schuylkill County may soon have to borrow funds to continue operations, since the state budget impasse isn’t letting up, school officials said last week. So far it’s caused some school districts including Minersville Area and Schuylkill Haven Area to freeze spending and others, like Mahanoy Area, to... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

November 8 County borrows up to $50M to pay bills amid budget stalemate Pennsylvania's budget impasse is coming home to roost. Northampton County Council on Thursday night endorsed borrowing up to $50 million to pay bills that won't be able to be paid because of state lawmakers' inability to approve a 2015-16 budget. County administrators say Northampton County will not have enough money to... - Easton Express-Times

GOP leader predicts budget deal; Wolf says, 'Close' A key House Republican said Friday that he hoped to have a budget deal finalized by Thanksgiving, and Gov. Wolf said an agreement to end Pennsylvania's five-month-old impasse could be "very close." In an email Friday afternoon to fellow legislators, Majority Leader Dave... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State budget deal in the works? It is November and as the leaves fall and Christmas decorations light up store shelves, the state budget, which was supposed to be done during swimsuit season, is not complete. But that could change soon. A deal could be done by Thanksgiving, House Majority Leader Dave Reed,... - Allentown Morning Call

Loans provide raft for nonprofits during Pennsylvania's budget impasse State budget gridlock in Harrisburg has provoked months of turmoil and anxiety at Melting Pot Ministries, a South Hills community nonprofit focused on keeping low-income youths out of trouble through childhood and on track to succeed as adults. The Mt. Lebanon-based center canceled its after- school program slated to... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Optimism returns to state budget talks, despite differences With Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate in its fifth month, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Legislature’s huge Republican majorities say the momentum of closed-door talks has picked up and there is cause for optimism... - AP

Gov. Wolf administration says deal gives horse racing another week Gov. Tom Wolf's administration says it's giving another week to allow horse and harness racing in Pennsylvania now that it's reached a preliminary agreement to underwrite the industry's regulatory functions.../ - AP

November 6

Crisis point nears for payments amid impasse LOCK HAVEN - When will it end? With no state budget curtailing payments from Harrisburg, the impact on Clinton County's government services and support systems was subject of an extended conversation accompanying an otherwise brief meeting Thursday. The post-election discussion included local businessman and supporter of... - Lock Haven Express

Human service providers lose funding in Montgomery County COURTHOUSE >> After months of footing the state’s bill for human services, Montgomery County announced Thursday that it has to stop paying providers. The county had spent more than $30 million that would have been reimbursed by state funds. “It’s not a situation any of us want to be in,” said county CFO... - Norristown Times Herald

County draws from general fund for human services Another month without a state budget, Schuylkill County again has to draw from its unrestricted general fund to continue providing human services. The county commissioners approved a budget resolution Wednesday borrowing $168,000 to fund the Office of Senior Services through November. Wednesday... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Local rape crisis center remaining afloat as state budget stalemate continues WILKES-BARRE — As the state budget stalemate lingers into a fourth month, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape has urged businesses to provide interest-free loans to rape crisis centers left without access to crucial state and federal funding. Janet MacKay, director of the Victims Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre, said... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Montgomery commissioners halt subsidies for human services, call on state to pass budget Montgomery County will no longer cover for the state's inability to pass a budget by reimbursing county social service agencies. The commissioners on Thursday reluctantly made that decision, which takes effect immediately, based on the recommendation of county Chief Financial... - Levittown Intelligencer

Local officials discuss state budget ‘problem’ If you're disgusted about the state's inability to compromise and pass a budget, you're not alone. - Warren Times Observer

Northampton County prepared to borrow $50 million as state budget impasse lingers The four-month-long budget impasse in Harrisburg forced Northampton County Council on Thursday to authorize Executive John Brown to borrow up to $50 million. As Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican- controlled Legislature have locked horns over the Democrat's tax plan, counties and school districts across... - Allentown Morning Call

Failure to pass budget is costing taxpayers I’m sure I speak for many when I say to our state lawmakers: Get off your high horses and pass the budget already. You all need to be fired and fined. The regular people would rather tax the natural gas folks than raise Pennsylvania’s personal income tax. Stop... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Northampton may be next county council to borrow money NORTHAMPTON COUNTY, Pa. - The state budget impasse has forced another municipality to come up with a plan B. Northampton County may need to borrow close to $50 million just to make ends meet. "The county uses about $10 million a month and we have spent our cash reserves," said Northampton... - WFMZ

United Way $1.25M short of goal, partly thanks to state budget impasse With just two weeks left in its fundraising campaign, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is short $1.25 million — with more than half that shortfall caused by the state budget impasse. The campaign goal is $3.45 million. As of Thursday, campaign officials... - Scranton Times

Nonprofits tap lines of credit The budget stalemate in Harrisburg is in its fourth month, and that's causing a lot of stress -- and hard choices -- for nonprofits in York County that depend on state funding. Those with bank lines of

credit already in place are tapping them to help fund their operations until Gov. Tom Wolf and state legislators can agree... - York Daily

Cambria holds off on sale of delinquent taxes EBENSBURG – As the year comes to a close and finances get tighter while the state budget impasse continues, the Cambria County commissioners decided to hold off on selling delinquent tax claims for additional revenue. Last month the commissioners approved the sale of unpaid tax claims from... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Montco stops covering state's bills Montgomery County stopped funding Thursday human services normally covered by the state, saying the four-month budget impasse had maxed out the county's financial reserves. "Unfortunately, we just can't continue," Finance Director Uri Z. Monson told the county commissioners. "We need to stop paying, effective now."... - Philadelphia Inquirer

November 5 County Council delays vote on $30 million credit line ERIE, Pa. -- A $30 million line of credit to help pay county bills -- borrowing that relates to the ongoing state budget impasse -- is on hold for now. Erie County Council, at a special meeting Wednesday, decided to table three ordinances related to County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper's borrowing... - Erie Times-News

Philadelphia Senior Centers Feel The Pinch Of Pa. Budget Impasse Wednesday marks 127 days without a budget in Pennsylvania and many Philadelphia non-profits that depending on state funding are nearing their breaking point. Center in the Park in Germantown is bustling with active seniors. “Mondays and Wednesdays, I take silver sneakers at 8' clock and 9... - KYW News Radio 1060

Neutral moderator needed in budget debate Shame on our elected leaders for doing so much harm to the people they are paid to serve and to the great state of Pennsylvania. The pain and harm done to Pennsylvania and its people by not passing a budget is unconscionable. There is no excuse for not having a budget.... - York Daily

Scranton School District to borrow $14.3 million because of impasse Without a state budget, the Scranton School District will borrow $14.3 million just to keep paying its employees. Meanwhile, millions in bills will remain past due. At a special meeting Wednesday night, the school board approved the $14.3 million tax anticipation note and voted to file a petition with the court... - Scranton Times

Letters to the editor: Pass budget now To all those business owners that just paid their third-quarter payroll taxes, especially state taxes: Do you wonder how Pennsylvania lawmakers can justify not passing a budget — which is really not paying their bills — while we the business owners do not have this choice?... - State College Centre Daily Times

Montco stops covering state's bills Montgomery County stopped funding human services normally covered by the state on Thursday, saying the four-month budget impasse has maxed out the county's financial reserves. "Unfortunately, we just can't continue," Montgomery County Finance Director Uri Z. Monson told the commissioners at their Thursday morning meeting. "We... - Philadelphia Inquirer

November 4 Erie County could furlough workers if state budget impasse drags on ERIE, Pa. -- Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper's administration is talking about putting unpaid furloughs in place for some of the county's roughly 1,200 employees if the state budget impasse does not end soon. A furlough means that the county would mandate that workers take a certain... - Erie Times-News

Lack of Pa. budget unacceptable The four-month-long lack of budget agreement in Harrisburg is more than deplorable. Since our elected officials are either unwilling or unable to reach a consensus, may I suggest adding an amendment to the state constitution — ratified via referendum by all Pennsylvanians — by... - Allentown Morning Call

Get creative in taxing gas After months of negotiations, the Pennsylvania budget debate remains at an impasse. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature have been unable to agree on how to close a $2 billion budget deficit. The stalemate has kept millions of tax dollars from flowing to schools and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Forget mandates - negotiate a Pa. budget Sit down at the bargaining table and forge a reasonable compromise so we can get funding flowing to school districts and other agencies on the verge of shutdown. Assorted thoughts on Pennsylvania politics: More mandate nonsense Tom Wolf, '71, is featured in a recent Dartmouth Alumni Magazine piece... - York Daily

WATCH LIVE: Why doesn't Pennsylvania have a budget yet? Why our state is without a budget 127 days into the fiscal year will be the topic of a live-streamed LNP Editorial Board discussion set for Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. We invite you to tell us the questions you'd like posed to two leaders in the state House: Rep. Mike Sturla, of Lancaster, chairman of the House... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Council holds first reading on $30 million credit line ERIE, Pa. -- The state's budget impasse drags on, and Erie County Council is two weeks closer to a agreeing to a $30 million line of credit to help pay county bills. County Council on Monday night held a first reading on an ordinance that would approve the credit line from First National Bank, requested by Erie... - Erie Times-News

Pennsylvania budget fight about mandates Forgive Pennsylvanians for not realizing that the most important election in the state last year was not the one that Gov. Wolf won. In hindsight it’s clear that the public should have paid more attention to who Republicans were choosing to be their legislative leaders. They’re the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

November 3 Pennsylvania collects $2.1 billion in October, despite not having a state budget While Pennsylvania continues to operate without a state budget, the government is still collecting money. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue collected $2.1 billion in general fund revenue in October, bringing fiscal-year-to-date collections to $8.9 billion. Last year, the department collected $2.2 billion in the same month... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf says budget discussions are ‘moving beyond partisanship’ Gov. Tom Wolf is confident about the future of the state budget. “I think we’re moving beyond the partisanship that has characterized the conversation up until now,” said Wolf on Monday in a press event at U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s office. “We are really stewards of Pennsylvania’s interests and this is not a time to be a... - State College Centre Daily Times

The lack of a state budget hurts children The failure of both parties to reach a meeting of the minds on a state budget four months after the fact is dereliction of duty, an obscene gesture to the public whom our "leaders" insult. Perhaps when schools begin to close their doors, unable or unwilling to borrow any more, a fire will... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Could PA budget impasse last into December? Pennsylvania’s budgetary game of “chicken” continues. And casualties are mounting: State-subsidized pre-kindergarten programs are shutting down, domestic violence shelters are closing their doors and

Pennsylvania’s school districts are begging for more time to pay their bills — all because of... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Council holds first reading on $30 million credit line The state's budget impasse drags on, and Erie County Council is two weeks closer to a agreeing to a $30 million line of credit to help pay county bills. County Council on Monday night held a first reading on an ordinance that would approve the credit line from First National Bank, requested by Erie... - Erie Times-News

November 2 Analysis | Polls show voters fed up over budget stalemate Barometers of public opinion in Pennsylvania all seem to say the same thing: Voters are deciding that the people charged with solving the state’s biggest problems are, themselves, the state’s biggest problem. Gov. Tom Wolf’s popularity is taking a hit as a budget impasse drags... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

The Rundown: November arrives before the state budget Also: Going after unlicensed movers; helping kids with dyslexia; and a push for a better way to draw legislative districts. - Reading Eagle

Questions and answers on budget stalemate - News HARRISBURG — For the past five months, schools, nonprofits and county-run social services programs have gone without state funding because of the continuing budget impasse. Here are some questions and answers about the impact of the stalemate that began July 1 with the start of the 2015-16... - Scranton Times

Budget gridlock grips Harrisburg HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate has dragged on long enough that Harrisburg is becoming synonymous with partisan gridlock. The deadlock and brinkmanship that has been part of the Washington, D.C., scene in recent years has come to the banks of the Susquehanna River.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

November 1 Woe spreads in Pennsylvania's 4-month budget standoff State-subsidized pre-kindergarten programs are shutting down, domestic violence shelters are closing their doors and Pennsylvania's school districts are begging for more time to pay their bills - all because of a four-month budget stalemate that shows no signs of ending... - AP

Uncertainty bedevils horse-racing industry Anthony DeFrancesco III fell in love with horse racing shortly before America began to fall out of love with it, when places such as Liberty Bell Park in Northeast Philadelphia still drew a Saturday night crowd. At 15 - two years before Liberty Bell closed in 1986 - DeFrancesco dropped... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Would Wolf’s gas tax be out of line? How much tax revenue does the typical dollar of natural-gas production generate for state governments in the continental United States? 4.4 cents, according to a new study of the decade 2004-2013 that I and two colleagues conducted. This number is extremely relevant for Pennsylvania, which has... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State budget impasse enters fifth month but signs of progress reported Pennsylvania is about to begin its fifth month without an enacted state budget. House and Senate Republican leaders and their staffs both reported signs of progress being made as they continue to try to come up with a compromise proposal to present to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf that addresses his and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Local families see impacts of budget impasse Stacey Germano, a mother of six children, is personally seeing the impacts of the state budget

impasse that has been dragging on for four months. Four of her six children would be in the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s after-school program at Heights Murray Elementary School... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Money wasters: Stubborn state officials make the Pa. deficit worse That flushing sound you hear from Harrisburg is more taxpayer dollars going down the toilet. Worse, it is happening in a state with a deficit that’s growing by the day and exceeds $2 billion. The Senate took out a $9 million bank loan at 3 percent interest so it can... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

October 30 With dismal poll results, it's time for Wolf, lawmakers to remember who's the boss here - voters: Analysis And the staring contest continues. More than 120 days into Pennsylvania's budget impasse, Republicans who control the General Assembly say they're waiting for Gov. Tom Wolf to get serious about compromising. Sitting on his side of the Capitol, like Coriolanus with a Wrangler, Wolf... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Sen. Scott Wagner floats York charter school a $400k loan to stay afloat, report Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. A cash-strapped York County charter whose employees missed two paychecks in October has a serious friend in state Sen. Scott Wagner. The York County Republican floated Helen Thackston Charter School a nearly $400,000, basically interest-free, loan to meet missed payroll, utility... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf still won't budge on latest budget stopgap proposal Harrisburg, Pa. We are now 5 months into the fiscal year and Pennsylvania is still without a budget. Governor Tom Wolf's latest move was to veto a stopgap budget to temporarily fund budget items. Wolf has repeatedly said he will not sign an unbalanced budget that doesn't... - WeareCentralPA

Pre-K programs closing due to Pennsylvania budget battle HARRISBURG, Pa. — Some early childhood centers certified under Pennsylvania's state-subsidized pre-kindergarten program are starting to tell parents that they will close because of the state's four- month-old budget stalemate. Kate Philips, a spokeswoman for the Pre-K for PA coalition, said that... - WPXI

Franklin County could run until March without state budget CHAMBERSBURG >> Franklin County operations continue to ride out the state budget stalemate in Harrisburg. County Administrator John Hart said the county has enough cash on hand to operate its human services programs for 95 days before reaching into $7.8 million that commissioners set aside from the sale of the county nursing... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

As state budget impasse continues, Berks nonprofit groups tap loan program to stay afloat With the approval of a state budget nowhere in sight and many human service providers having gone without payments for months, the Berks County Community Foundation has been helping community nonprofits weather the financial crisis. But the cash is starting to run out.... - Reading Eagle

October 29 At the Capitol, a predictable #PaBudget dance - and they wonder why there's no results?: John L. Micek So here, 120 days into the budget impasse, is a look inside the funhouse that is the state Capitol. At 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale held a press conference to talk about the serious, budget-related cash crunch confronting Pennsylvania's 500 school districts.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Auditor general: Pa. schools borrowing more than $400 million due to budget impasse The state released a document Wednesday that said Pennsylvania school districts and other educational entities are borrowing at least $431 million because of the state budget impasse. This

includes Bald Eagle Area School District, with a $5 million loan, according to the report.... - State College Centre Daily Times

Pennsylvania budget update: There's progress on one side of the table Pennsylvania's Republican legislative leaders couldn't get Democrats to join them in a veto override vote Wednesday. But, for them, the day wasn't a total loss. After several hours of meetings between top House and Senate GOP leaders and staff, sources said those one-party talks are slowly honing in on the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State Senate unable to override Wolf’s veto of stopgap budget bill HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s budget impasse continued Wednesday after Democrats blocked a Senate Republican bid to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of a stopgap spending bill. The vote came about the same time that Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat, warned that school districts could face disaster if they have to... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

York nonprofit closing amid Pennsylvania budget impasse A York nonprofit announced it will be closing for 20 days between November, December and January amid the Pennsylvania budget impasse, which reached 120 days Wednesday. Community Progress Council will close from Nov. 23 to 30 and from Dec. 21 to Jan. 1, according to a news release. The closures will put 250 employees... - York Daily

Hiring of a state meteorologist draws stormy response In the midst of a state budget crisis that has lasted four months, Gov. Tom Wolf made a move to help Pennsylvania weather the storm. He hired a meteorologist. jeff jumper.pngFox43 meteorologist Jeff Jumper is jumping ship to become Pennsylvania's first state meteorologist to assist the Pennsylvania... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Senate Republicans Push Budget Veto Override Effort (HARRISBURG) – Responding to growing pleas from schools and community groups to release overdue state funding, Senate Republicans today led an effort to override Governor Wolf’s veto of an emergency budget passed last month by the General Assembly. Senate leaders emphasized that the override would have provided badly... - Northcentral PA

State Senate unable to override Wolf’s veto of stopgap budget bill HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s budget impasse continued Wednesday after Democrats blocked a Senate Republican bid to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of a stopgap spending bill. The vote came about the same time that Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, a Democrat, warned that school districts could face disaster if they have to... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Day 120 without a budget: schools borrowing, taxpayers paying, auditor general ripping HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – It’s Day 120 of Pennsylvania’s Great Budget Impasse 2015. There was lots happening at the Capitol and not enough happening in budget negotiations. Senate Democrats held a hearing on the impact of the budget impasse. Schools say they’re hurting and it will only get worse if a deal... - ABC 27

Auditor General DePasquale says school districts borrowed $85 million in October Since releasing his September report, 10 additional school districts have had to borrow money in October because of the state budget impasse, bringing the total to 27 districts and $431 million borrowed, Pennsylvania’s auditor general said Wednesday. “At a minimum, this is a significant distraction to schools, and at its... - Beaver County Times

One on one interview with Gov. Tom Wolf about budget impasse Wolf said he refuses to sign an unbalanced budget HARRISBURG, Pa. It's nearly five months into the fiscal year, and Pennsylvania is still without a budget. Gov.Tom Wolf refuses to sign an unbalanced budget that doesn't fill the $2.3 billion budget deficit hole.... - Your4State

County commmissioners urge state to release cash ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Lehigh County commissioners are urging Harrisburg to pass stopgap or emergency

funding to avoid significant financial hardship to the county and its residents. Commissioners hope governing bodies of other counties across Pennsylvania will follow their lead. “I hope our voice... - WFMZ

Franklin & Marshall poll: Wolf's popularity dips and voters are unhappy with lawmakers The latest round of public opinion polling spells some mixed news for Gov. Tom Wolf. On one hand, Wolf's popularity with voters appears to be slipping, according to the new poll from Franklin & Marshall College. On the other, voters still blame lawmakers for the lack of a state budget.... - Reading Eagle

Local agency on aging still open, but feeling pinch Challenges: Options in Aging is struggling but does not yet have plans to close. In the wake of three Mercer County senior centers closing, Challenges administrator Amy Cervone said, "Basically we're managing pretty much day-to-day, and things are tight." Challenges has centers serving senior... - New Castle News

October 27 Poll results not expected to push either side to resolve state budget impasse Public support for Gov. Tom Wolf is softening as the state budget impasse stretches into its fourth month, says new polling from Robert Morris University. But the numbers likely won’t put much pressure on him, or on Republicans who control the state Legislature, to cut a deal.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Their view | Pennsylvania budget must break status quo Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget rebuilds the middle class in Pennsylvania by prioritizing jobs that pay, schools that teach and government that works. Pennsylvania can have a bright future but we must move away from the failed status quo embraced by Republican leaders.... - State College Centre Daily Times

October 26 State budget woes deepen for counties HARRISBURG — County leaders across the state are scrambling to provide human services amid the nearly five-month loss of state aid as Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate continues. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, or CCAP, summarizes on its website — www.pacounties.org — county officials’ actions... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Doors may close at pre-kindergartens because of Pennsylvania budget fight HARRISBURG >> Some early childhood centers certified under Pennsylvania’s state-subsidized pre- kindergarten program are starting to tell parents that they are closing after next week because of the state’s four-month-old budget stalemate... - AP

State Senate takes out $9 million loan to pay its employees With no state budget in sight, the Pennsylvania Senate has borrowed $9 million so it can pay salaries and benefits for its members and staff, a Senate Republican spokeswoman said. The Senate Republicans and Democrats borrowed the money from PNC Bank effective Friday, said Jennifer Kocher, spokeswoman for Senate Majority... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tax increase on sales or income seen as unlikely in deal The Pennsylvania Senate's top Democrat says a final budget agreement probably won't include an increase in the sales or personal income tax that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has sought to boost education funding and wipe out a deficit... - AP

State budget woes deepen HARRISBURG — County leaders across the state are scrambling to provide human services amid the nearly five-month loss of state aid as Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate continues. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, or CCAP, summarizes on its website — www.pacounties.org — county officials’ actions... - Scranton Times

October 25

"No budget, no break" TALK ABOUT FIDDLING while Rome is burning. The Republican-controlled state Legislature is poised to take a two-week session break. (Perhaps to get some rest before a fresh round of budgetary inertia.) "It doesn't make any sense for the Legislature to be on break while... - Philadelphia Daily News

No state budget, but lawmakers continue to raise cash The state’s budget impasse, now approaching the four-month mark, has halted the flow of commonwealth money to schools and many social service agencies. It hasn’t stopped the steady circuit of near-constant fund raising by state lawmakers. A dinner reception at the posh Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in the Laurel... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

117 days without a budget: You can call Wolf, lawmakers Pennsylvania's budget impasse continues to drag on. You can call the offices of Gov. Tom Wolf and our region's legislators about this issue: - Gov. Tom Wolf: Erie regional office, 878-5719; Harrisburg, (717) 787-2500. - State Sen. Sean Wiley, of Millcreek Township, D-49th Dist.: 453-2515.... - Erie Times-News

Horse racing industry, Pennsylvania officials work to solve deficit Talks between officials with the state Department of Agriculture and representatives of horse racing in Pennsylvania made “significant progress” Friday toward solving a budget shortfall and avoiding a threatened shutdown of the industry, participants said. Kim Hankins, executive director of the Meadows Standardbred Owners... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

October 23 Cambria approves $11.6M loan October 23, 2015 With no foreseeable end to the state budget stalemate, Cambria County commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance Thursday allowing the county to take a private $1. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Local counties running out of money for human services, payroll during Pa. budget impasse Craig Lehman has been on the other side of this. The Lancaster County commissioner spent 15 years as a state House budget analyst. Now, the Democrat is tasked with keeping the lights on in the county southeast of Harrisburg, as Pennsylvania wraps up its fourth month without... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Help sought for human services Butler County will seek a line of credit to help its human services contractors who are struggling due to a lack of a state budget. The county commissioners Wednesday voted to issue a request for proposal for short-term financing to assist the contractors and providers who... - Butler Eagle

Horse racing could be next victim of Pa. budget impasse The Wolf administration on Thursday threatened to shut down horse racing statewide as soon as next week if the industry doesn't start to shoulder millions of dollars in regulation costs. A spokesman for Gov. Tom Wolf cited a decrease in wagering at the tracks... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

'The next couple of weeks are critical,' for a #PaBudget deal, Pa. House Leader Dave Reed says As Pennsylvania's budget impasse closes in on its inconceivable 120th day in a couple of days, I had a chance to chat with House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, about where things stand with budget talks, his measure of Gov. Tom Wolf and whether lawmakers and the administration might ever get a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Cambria County scrambling to pay bills as state budget deadlock continues EBENSBURG – As the state budget continues to stall in Harrisburg, the Cambria County Commissioners approved an ordinance and bank proposal Thursday to secure nearly $12 million for the lack of state funding since July. The commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing a loan for... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Impasse affects Human Services programs COUNTY – Due to the lack of a state budget, the Wayne County Commissioners have implemented a plan that will reduce or interrupt services provided by the Human Services Agency (HSA) if a budget isn't passed by Dec. 1. Services that will not be affected are those covered by the... - Honesdale Wayne Independent

County: Impact imminent from budget impasse October 23, 2015 By JIM RUNKLE [email protected] LOCK HAVEN — The impact of the state budget on Clinton County’s most vulnerable citizens is imminent, according to the Clinton County Commissioners. more »» - Lock Haven Express

Dahlkemper: county might need to borrow up to $30 million soon because of state budget stalemate ERIE, Pa. -- Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper has spent plenty of time recently thinking about multimillion-dollar worst-case scenarios, primarily because of a state budget stalemate with no end in sight. The inability of the governor and state Legislature to strike a budget deal... - Erie Times-News

RPT-Pennsylvania's budget gridlock hits schools, seniors By Hilary Russ NEW YORK, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Pennsylvania's largest service provider to senior citizens is running out of money and time, as the state's new Democratic governor and Republican-led legislature still cannot agree on a budget. "I'm saving the little bit of money we have to pay staff and food. I can do... - Reuters

Pa. must restore human services funding to help the most vulnerable | Opinion By Mike Schlossberg Months ago, I sat on a panel with Business Matters on WFMZ-TV, discussing mental health and addiction issues. One of the other guests, who had been an elected official for many years, said something to the effect of, "It's one of the few things that, if you put money into it, there's money that... - Easton Express-Times

Shale executives raise pressure against severance tax Seventeen top executives from some of the largest companies working in the Marcellus shale signed a letter asking legislative leaders in Harrisburg to block Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal to raise taxes on the natural gas industry. “It defies good economic policy to single out a key industry and... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

PA Gov. Tom Wolf warns that horse racing may shut down amid budget stalemate Gov. Tom Wolf's administration warned Thursday that it may suspend horse racing in Pennsylvania in a week because a state budget stalemate has compounded the troubles of a deficit-ridden fund that is supposed to underwrite various regulatory functions over the sagging industry... - AP

October 22 Pa. budget impasse forces York County to open $20M line of credit York County commissioners approved opening a multi-million dollar line of credit to keep operations going through the end of the year as the state budget impasse reached its 113th day on Wednesday. All three commissioners voted at their weekly meeting to borrow up to $20... - York Dispatch

Vote on Pa. gambling bills put off amid budget negotiations HARRISBURG (AP) — A Pennsylvania state House of Representatives committee is postponing a scheduled vote on legislation to expand gambling as top lawmakers continue budget negotiations... - AP

Lawmaker from Easton unveils plan to break budget stalemate State Rep. Bob Freeman on Wednesday unveiled a budget plan that raises the sales tax and personal income tax for millions of Pennsylvanians but delivers property tax relief and ends a legislative impasse. His proposal would split the fiscal year in two, requiring a stopgap budget... - Easton Express-Times

No good Pa. budget news for Bucks commissioners PERKASIE Like counties throughout the state, Bucks County is facing intense budget pressure due to the state budget impasse in Harrisburg. So far, the county has been spending between $6 million and $7 million per month to keep afloat social service programs that are usually funded by the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget impasse may cut social programs in Bucks Bucks County may cut funding for child-protective services, local senior centers and Meals on Wheels programs in December unless lawmakers in Harrisburg can pass a long-overdue state budget. One hundred and fourteen days into Pennsylvania's budget stalemate, Bucks... - Levittown Intelligencer

October 21 Somerset County establishes line of credit for agency as state budget impasse continues The Somerset County commissioners decided Tuesday to establish a line of credit of up to $180,000 a month for the Area Agency on Aging for three months. "Except for a small amount given to the agency by the county ($38,000 annually), Area on Aging Agency relies solely on state funding,"... - Somerset Daily

Bob Freeman says his plan can break Pa. budget stalemate Pennsylvania state Rep. Bob Freeman on Wednesday morning will present his ideas on how to break the budget logjam in Harrisburg. The state, which was supposed to pass a budget before the beginning of July, instead has been without a budget since Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, in... - Easton Express-Times

County commissioners assess state budget impasse A Lawrence County commissioner said the county’s funds will stretch to the end of the year. But unless the state budget impasse is resolved by then, the county could be facing troubles in January and thereafter. “We’ve continued to monitor our cash flow,” by slowing down... - New Castle News

Solo funding bills latest budget gambit HARRISBURG — A group of House Republican lawmakers are pushing bills to restore state funding for selected social service and education programs as a budget stalemate continues with no bipartisan deal to end it in sight. These GOP lawmakers have introduced bills to fund about $2 billion worth of... - Scranton Times

October 20 Time’s up, Harrisburg: Enact a budget for Pa. THE ISSUE Today Pennsylvania’s state budget is 111 days late, and into a fourth month of counties being unable to pay social service agencies for mandated services. At a recent conference, district superintendents expressed worry that it might take the closing of public school doors to force productive... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Moody's lowers credit outlook for Pennsylvania to "negative," citing budget impasse If you can think for a moment of credit outlooks as the fiscal equivalent of a weather forecast, Pennsylvania's state government just got a bad one. Moody's Investors Service on Friday revised its outlook for future general obligation debt issued by Pennsylvania from stable to negative.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Amid budget crisis, lawmakers voice concern for human service programs, agencies HARRISBURG — With no budget deal in sight, a group of House Republicans called Monday for Pennsylvania to restart funding for domestic violence programs, cancer screening and other areas the legislators said should not fall victim to political gridlock. “This is just the next avenue that we’re going to try to get this... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Erie schools' request for $47m loan now a political hot potato: Analysis So who has the authority to give the cash-strapped Erie school districts a $47 million advance on their state appropriation? According to a spokesman for the Treasury Department, which holds the

cash, and the Wolf administration, which controls the purse strings - both of... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Budget delay threatens social services October 20, 2015 Leaders of several social service agencies on Monday told representatives for local lawmakers that they remain worried about Blair County’s most vulnerable residents. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Gov. Wolf says he will not allow funds to go toward struggling school districts until budget is passed Gov. Tom Wolf said this morning that he will not authorize the state Department of Education to release funds to individual school districts that claim a hardship during the state budget stalemate. Speaking at the opening of the new Hulton Bridge between Oakmont and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As budget impasse continues, Wayne County officials announce possible cutbacks, stoppages If the budget impasse in Harrisburg continues into December, elderly residents in Wayne County will feel the effects first. Commissioners there announced Monday that they and the county Human Services Agency are planning reductions or shutdowns of services provided... - Scranton Times

House Republicans propose package of funding bills for some state services HARRISBURG, Pa. – House Republicans are proposing a package of bills that would deliver funding to programs that have stopped receiving state funding because of the budget impasse. It is a package of a dozen appropriations bills to be introduced by Reps. Stephen Bloom (R) – Cumberland County and Dan Moul (R) – Adams... - FOX 43

October 19 Pa. credit rating lowered as budget standoff drags on HARRISBURG, Pa. >> Pennsylvania is getting more bad fiscal news... - AP

Governor Wolf and Republicans aren't speaking to each other It's now been more than 100 days since Pennsylvania has had a budget. Since the Commonwealth's House Republicans shot down Governor Tom Wolf's tax plan, negotiations have been particularly stale, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. According to the newspaper, Wolf spoke to reporters Friday and expressed... - Philly Voice

Pennsylvania human services stretching every cent as budget crisis drags on HARRISBURG — With no approved state budget and many human service providers having gone without payments for months, Family Services of Western Pennsylvania is working on its second line of credit and is “squeaking by” said Stephen Christian-Michaels, president and CEO... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Raising cigarette tax helps combat smoking ISSUE | CIGARETTE TAX An effective tool to combat smoking The commentary attacking cigarette taxes ("Cigarette-tax increases are bad for Pa. business," Wednesday) contained several inaccuracies. Studies have shown that cigarette taxes are an effective strategy for... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Former governor says both sides need to compromise to end state budget impasse Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is no stranger to a budget stalemate. During Rendell’s eight years in office (2003-11,) he had three late budgets, including one that was passed in early October, nearly four months after the deadline. - Somerset Daily

Budget mess putting Pennsylvania at risk October 18, 2015 State budget stalemates in Pennsylvania and Illinois have gotten national attention as a result of Wall Street Journal reportin. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Here's the latest Republican proposal to end the 111-day state budget stalemate for some In the midst of an 111-day state budget impasse, Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives want to give $2.6 billion in state and federal money to keep schools and human service providers open. Rep. Stephen Bloom, R-North Middleton Twp., and Rep. Dan Moul,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

October 18 Wolf, Republicans talking budget, but not with each other Gov. Wolf stood before a group of reporters Friday at a township building about six miles from the Capitol and implored them to provide an example of when Republican legislators had agreed to compromise during the state's prolonged budget impasse. "I've made a lot of compromises and offers, and what have I gotten in... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget standoff drives new attention to gambling The deadlock over the state budget is spurring a new look by some lawmakers at what revenue could be extracted by expanding legalized gambling in Pennsylvania. Following the House’s recent rejection of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s revised tax plan, House Republican leaders suggested that it was... - Scranton Times

Would a school shutdown force governor, Legislature to pass a Pa. budget? As Pennsylvania's state budget stalemate drags through a fourth month, the talk of the Capitol has drifted to when the first school district could run out of cash and shut its doors... - AP

October 16 State budget impasse forces Montour County to borrow $500G DANVILLE — Without Montour County borrowing up to $500,000 because the state budget stalemate has halted reimbursements, ill residents who depend on needed transportation could die, county Commissioner Trevor Finn said Thursday. “My biggest worry is dialysis patients who could perish within a... - Sunbury Daily Item

State budget impasse hurting Cameron County EMPORIUM — The Cameron County Commissioners have held several meetings with local agencies to discuss issues surrounding the state budget impasse and its effects on operations. The commissioners met with staff from the Cameron County Family Center, Children and Youth Services and other local service providers over the past... - Bradford Era

Harrisburg gridlock impacting local services WAYNE COUNTY – The Wayne County commissioners expect to meet today with the administrator of the county's human services department to discuss what affect the ongoing state budget impasse will have on operations. The budget gridlock in Harrisburg could eventually impact hours at the... - Honesdale Wayne Independent

Nonprofits are feeling the pinch from state budget impasse, United Way finds Working without state funding, some nonprofits statewide are laying off or furloughing workers, reducing hours or having staff work without pay – and 30 percent who responded to a recent survey are reducing services or implementing waiting lists, according to the United Way of Pennsylvania.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

October 15 BCAP director say layoffs likely at agency; blames budget impasse 'The people of the commonwealth are suffering,' director Larry Berringer says - Reading Eagle

Online gambling won't bridge Pennsylvania's budget gap | Editorial The latest budget-balancing idea in Harrisburg, legalization of online gambling, is fraught with drawbacks — notably the dangers of addiction in encouraging people to play betting games on the internet, coupled with diminishing returns that never live up to politicians' rosy revenue... - Easton Express-Times

Judge approves Cambria request to borrow $12 million to offset gap from state budget stalemate; DCED sign-off needed EBENSBURG – Cambria County is one step closer to borrowing $12 million to cover shortfalls created by the state budget impasse. President Judge Timothy P. Creany approved the request after a hearing Wednesday in Cambria County court. “This impasse in Harrisburg is a surprise to all of us,” Creany... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Local agencies feeling impact of no state budget October 15, 2015 The lack of a state budget means non-essential services from the commonwealth have been postponed or canceled. It also means services from local agencies that depend on state dollars are strained. more »» - Warren Times Observer

Without state aid, the local stress is building Months without financial aid from Harrisburg - and no sign the spigot will flow again soon - is starting to wear on officials and agencies across the region. Through this month, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks Counties have shelled out more than $70 million from reserves to keep critical social... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania state budget talks resume, quietly Can Pennsylvania's stalled state budget talks find some new momentum? We're about to find out. Staffers from the four House and Senate caucuses began meeting at the Capitol Wednesday in an effort to see if a new, legislative-driven effort can produce a compromise that's acceptable to Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

County not hurt by state budget impasse October 15, 2015 The state budget impasse is not hampering Warren County government. Fiscal Director Judy Albaugh said the county had almost exactly the same amount in its general fund Monday as it did one year ago. more »» - Warren Times Observer

October 14 State budget impasse could affect drug and alcohol services BELLEFONTE — While Centre County continues to weather a 100-plus-day budget impasse, providers serving multiple counties may soon start feeling the crunch. County commissioners approved a contract renewal Tuesday between the county Drug and Alcohol department and Pyramid Healthcare Inc. to provide drug and... - State College Centre Daily Times

Pennsylvania's domestic violence, sexual assault centers will soon start closing due to budget impasse, organizations say The next time a woman is assaulted by her husband or abused by her boyfriend, she may not have a safe place to stay in Pennsylvania. A prolonged state budget fight between Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pa. General Assembly has left those responsible for helping victims of domestic... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Pennsylvania budget talks are set to resume Wednesday The next chance to break the state budget impasse is upon us. One week after the state House of Representatives defeated Gov. Tom Wolf's $1.8 billion tax increase package on a mostly party-line vote, legislative leaders expect to reconvene on-again, off-again state budget talks... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf says he won't cave on demand to fix state's deficit HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday he won't cave on his demand that lawmakers agree to measures to wipe out a long-term deficit that has plunged Pennsylvania's credit rating into the bottom ranks of states. The Democrat, in a regularly scheduled appearance on Pittsburgh radio... - AP

Forget the games: Craft a state budget without expanded gambling A sure sign that things are going nowhere fast on the budget impasse in Harrisburg is some legislators are now talking about a gambling expansion to generate more state revenue. More games might

produce more initial tax receipts, but the idea is a bad bet for Pennsylvania.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Property tax reform could be catalyst Republican majorities in both houses of the state Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf obviously disagree on some of the fundamental issues that have led to a three-month budget impasse. The governor, for example, wants to establish an extraction tax on natural gas, whereas... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

October 13 Wolf says he won’t ‘cave’ on demand to fix state’s deficit HARRISBURG, Pa. >> Gov. Tom Wolf says he won’t “cave” on his demand that lawmakers agree to measures to wipe out Pennsylvania state government’s long-term deficit that’s plunged its credit rating into the bottom ranks of states... - AP

Uncertainty at state level makes 2016 budget planning difficult for county leaders The lack of a 2015 state budget has Crawford and Pennsylvania's other 66 counties struggling to manage the impacts of delayed state payments while at the same time trying to prepare their own 2016 budgets. Due to the state budget impasse, it's unknown at this point if the county... - Meadville Tribune

Cumberland County withholding payment to service providers, starting hiring freeze in wake of budget impasse Cumberland County is starting a hiring freeze, withholding payment from some human services providers, cutting off non-emergency overtime, and immediately suspending new capital expenses. All of this, according to a county news release, is thanks to the ongoing... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

October 12 Pennsylvania has history of contentious tax-hike efforts HARRISBURG — Back in 1991, the Pennsylvania House held a vote to raise the personal income tax that was not unlike the House vote on Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal last week, except that the one 24 years ago ended with representatives pushing and shoving on the chamber floor.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Budget standoff imperils mentally ill clients A public agency serving the mentally ill is on pace to go broke by December, lacking funds held at bay as the state budget impasse drags into its 103rd day. CMSU Service System has 3,000-plus clients in Columbia, Montour, Snyder and Union counties. It had to stop paying third-party providers in July and... - Sunbury Daily Item

Facing a huge deficit, Pennsylvania eyes gambling for help HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania who are resisting tax increases to balance a deep budget deficit are taking steps toward the state's third expansion of gambling in six years as an alternative source of cash... - AP

October 11 In budget mire, far apart Almost since the day he took office, Gov. Wolf has said he's not accustomed to Harrisburg's dysfunction. He'll have a tough time repeating that line after last week. After days of intense lobbying - and months of painstaking negotiations - the state House on Wednesday soundly rejected Wolf's long-standing call for... - Philadelphia Inquirer

103 days & counting: The Pa. budget debate Why, people ask, is Pennsylvania's budget 103 days past due? Start with a Republican-controlled Legislature, arguably more conservative than those in the past, and Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf, who, according to The Huffington Post, is the nation's most liberal governor this year. The... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

October 9 Agency feeling budget crunch October 9, 2015 LEWISTOWN — As the state budget impasse continues to drag on, many agencies are being negatively impacted. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

Budget impasse hits home in Schuylkill Commissioners loan money to two agencies By Chris [email protected] Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday loaned two human services agencies a total of $620,000 to pay bills until the state impasse ends. The Children and Youth Services agency borrowed the lion’s share,... - Lehighton Times News

Pa. state budget talks expected to resume next week, this time without Gov. Wolf Top House and Senate staffers said Thursday a fresh round of talks on the state budget will start next week, and this time it may be without Gov. Tom Wolf's direct participation - at least for starters. The new strategy results in part, Republican sources familiar with the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The dirty secret of the #PaBudget impasse? We're not surprised when government fails - we expect it: Analysis So did you see that horde of angry villagers, armed with pitchforks and torches, who descended on the Capitol this week to demand that Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers finally break Pennsylvania's 100-plus-day-old budget stalemate? Yeah ... me neither. Oh, sure, there was plenty of fiery rhetoric on the floor of the state... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House turns down governor's tax plan Gov. Tom Wolf’s hopes of ending Pennsylvania’s 99-day-old state budget impasse were dashed Wednesday when nine of his fellow Democrats joined all House Republicans to vote against his revised plan to raise billions in income and gas drilling taxes. The House voted 127-73 against Wolf’s plan to increase the state’s... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Berks County commissioners to hear Pennsylvania budget tiff woes They will use part of their public meeting next week to hear about the impasse's impact on county departments and service contractors. Reading Eagle | Berks County Commissioners, from left, Mark C. Scott, Christian Y. Leinbach and Kevin S. Barnhardt - Reading Eagle

October 8 Pa. House rejects Gov. Wolf's proposal to raise taxes on personal income, gas drilling HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania state budget impasse seems sure to drag on after the House on Wednesday rejected Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increases and the Democratic governor refused Republican demands that he acknowledge his agenda lacks support. The House voted 127-73 against Mr. Wolf’s proposal to increase the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

York County Human Services hard hit by budget impasse York County is prepared to borrow up to $20 million to cover salaries and operating costs if Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers cannot agree on a state budget. County administrator Mark Derr updated the county commissioners on the county's financial condition at Wednesday's commissioners meeting.... - York Daily

Pa. House votes down latest Wolf tax plan Gov. Tom Wolf's hopes of ending Pennsylvania's 99-day-old state budget impasse were dashed Wednesday when nine of his fellow Democrats joined all House Republicans to vote against his revised plan to raise billions in income and gas drilling taxes. The House voted 127-73 against Wolf's plan to increase the state's personal... - York Dispatch

No meetings between Wolf, GOP day after tax proposal defeat Republican leaders and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf aren't rushing to restart meetings, one day after the governor's tax plan was soundly defeated in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives... - AP

‘Pushed us to the brink’: Cambria County seeks permission to pay bills with $12 million loan during state budget impasse EBENSBURG — Cambria County officials are looking to join a large number of state-funded entities that are seeking loans to help them pay bills and stay afloat through the end of the year, according to a petition filed by the county’s solicitor Wednesday afternoon.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Time to get serious about our state budget THE ISSUE The Pennsylvania House of Representatives rejected a compromise version of Gov. Tom Wolf’s revenue proposal on a 127-73 vote Wednesday. The Democratic governor received support from all but nine House Democrats on the proposal, which cut his call for tax increases nearly in half ($2.4... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Wolf plan rejected; state budget stalemate enters 100 days HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s elected leaders pledged a new round of negotiations to end a 100- day-old state budget stalemate after Gov. Tom Wolf lost a test vote on his revised tax plan Wednesday in the House. House lawmakers defeated the Democratic governor’s plan 127-73... - Scranton Times

Pa. budget stalemate drains Bucks County's savings Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate could soon leave Bucks County with no cash in the bank, its chief operating officer, Brian Hessenthaler, said Wednesday. In a rare show of emotion, Hessenthaler used Wednesday's county commissioners meeting in Warminster as a springboard to rail against... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Uri Monson: The cost of Pennsylvania's budget impasse As we reach 100 days without a state budget, it bears repeating that the single most important function of the governor and the General Assembly is to set the spending priorities for the Commonwealth. All policy ultimately flows from the fiscal decisions that will be made by... - Philadelphia Inquirer

October 7 Wolf tax plan runs into predictable resistance in PA House Republican caucus Gov. Tom Wolf's quest to show strong bipartisan support for an increase in the state's personal income tax appeared to be stalling on the eve of a scheduled vote in the state House of Representatives. There were no signs as of Tuesday night that Wolf was abandoning his push... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget impasse taking a toll on region’s domestic violence centers BELLEFONTE — As some commonwealth women’s resource centers are being forced to shutter their windows, the Centre County Women’s Resource Center is helping to pick up the slack. The Centre County commissioners declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Tuesday, bringing to light the issue of violence in the... - State College Centre Daily Times

It's showtime for Wolf and his taxes LET'S CALL IT "Tom Wolf's Big Adventure." Not that he's starting to look like a political Pee Wee Herman (though, candidly, some suggest that). But like Pee Wee's prized tricked-out bike stolen in the classic 1985 film, Wolf's plan for higher taxes could get hijacked as soon as today.... - Philadelphia Daily News

County borrows $5M to pay bills SUNBURY — Due to the state budget impasse, Northumberland County Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi announced Tuesday that the county has borrowed $5 million to pay its bills until the end of the year. At the beginning of the commissioners’ meeting, Clausi said, “We... - Shamokin News-Item

House to take up Wolf tax plan in bid to end budget impasse HARRISBURG, Pa. — The latest push to resolve Pennsylvania's 3-month-old budget impasse is going before state lawmakers in the form of a proposal by Gov. Tom Wolf to raise billions in new taxes... - AP

County commissioners respond to state budget impasse by delaying payments The Somerset County commissioners decided Tuesday to delay payments to all placement providers because of the state budget impasse, which has entered its fourth month. The decision is retroactive to Oct. 1. - Somerset Daily

County officials 'very troubled' over Harrisburg inaction Montgomery County's elected officials agreed Thursday to cover the state's bills for another month -- but not without expressing growing anger that the counties, schools, and other organizations who rely on state funding do not appear to be a consideration in the now four-month-long budget impasse.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

October 6 Wolf's plan to end budget impasse includes higher taxes on income, gas drilling Gov. Tom Wolf wants a half-point increase in the state’s personal income tax and a new extraction tax on natural gas drilling in an effort to solve the state’s 3-month-old budget impasse, according to an administration document obtained today by The Associated Press... - AP

Wolf’s $5 billion tax plan heading for mid-week showdown By Andrew Staub / Another state budget showdown looms this week, and one conservative group has already warned Republican lawmakers it will monitor any votes on new or higher taxes. Republican leadership has agreed to allow Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s revenue plan to go to a vote in the state House on Wednesday, with hopes it... - Watchdog.org

What we really talk about when we talk about the budget: Analysis So I've been rolling some stuff over in my head when it comes to the current state of Pennsylvania's budget debate. And I've reached a couple of conclusions: First off, I don't doubt that Gov. Tom Wolf is in earnest when he talks about wanting to change the way the state has conducted its fiscal business... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf Administration seeks to sweeten long-shot tax increase package in Pennsylvania with targeted property tax cuts Pennsylvania Democrats are dangling a spoonful of property tax relief as the sugar to help a major tax increase vote go down in the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives this week. The House, on Wednesday, is tentatively scheduled to consider a series of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf: Deal on taxes is necessary to avoid worse consequences HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf warned Monday that steep cuts in education spending and higher borrowing costs are among the inevitable consequences if he cannot persuade enough state lawmakers to support higher taxes to pay for a long-term budget deficit he inherited... - AP

Wolf reaching across aisle for budget votes: ‘If I lose, Pennsylvania loses’ HARRISBURG, Pa. -- In what could be the most important week of his young tenure as Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf says he's spent the last few days on the campaign trail. Except, instead of reaching out to the public for support, he's needing to reach across the aisle to get votes from... - Fox 43

Wolf Administration to seek 3.57 percent state income tax; shale tax Gov. Tom Wolf, after an abbreviated listening tour with Republican and Democratic lawmakers, has settled on the parameters of the tax package he believes is needed to support his delayed budget. The details: * A rise in the state's personal income tax from 3.07 percent to 3.57... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Budget impasse gets costly Gov. Tom Wolf properly has vetoed a “stopgap” budget passed by legislative Republicans, which would have funded a few things as they wanted them funded and diminished pressure to pass an actual budget. Meanwhile, the absence of an actual budget has begun to create substantial... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Montco, Bucks continue paying for social services Montgomery County will continue to front funds to make sure agencies that provide human services to county residents get paid through October. But county officials are growing increasingly frustrated with state lawmakers’ inability to hammer out a state budget that would free state... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

October 5 Stalemate suppresses fall legislative session HARRISBURG — The mood was subdued as the Legislature made its full return to Harrisburg last week because the state budget stalemate shows no sign of resolution. This was the first week since the stalemate began June 30 that both the House and Senate were in session. The inability to forge a bipartisan deal... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Wolf reiterates need for tax increase to balance budget Gov. Tom Wolf said today that he considers the Republican plan to vote on his tax proposals this week as a legitimate exercise. "I'm taking it at face value," the Democratic first-year governor told reporters at the governor's residence. "I'm grateful that I've been given... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Stakes getting higher in budget stalemate October 4, 2015 A 2015-16 Pennsylvania state budget might not be any closer at hand on Wednesday after the General Assembly votes on Gov. Tom Wolf’s revenue proposals. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Wolf appeals to lawmakers to support tax increase: 'This is a once-in-a-generation vote' With a possible House floor showdown looming on his $1.8 billion tax increase package, Gov. Tom Wolf took to Power Point Monday to make his case to the public for why more dollars are needed for state government. House Republican leaders have given Wolf until Wednesday to see if he can... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Nonprofits say they may soon reach crisis point due to state budget impasse As the state budget impasse nears 100 days in Harrisburg, some nonprofit agencies in Allegheny County that rely on state funding have begun reducing services and staff, and many say they could soon reach a crisis point at which they will cut programs altogether.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf says deal on taxes needed to avoid steep spending cuts HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf is warning that steep spending cuts on education and higher borrowing costs are among the inevitable consequences if he can't get Republican lawmakers to support higher taxes to pay for bad budgeting practices he inherited... - AP

Wolf: Time for 'truth' about state finances Gov. Wolf on Monday called the legislature's planned vote this week on his budget proposal, which includes tax increases to support funding boosts for education, "a once-in a generation vote." "On this vote on Wednesday, we can't afford Republicans and Democrats - we... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf tax plan to face House vote HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate heads into very uncharted waters this week with a planned vote in the House on Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax increase plan. House and Senate Republican leaders have challenged the Democratic governor to see if he can get enough votes to pass tax hikes he says are needed to... - Scranton Times

Budget impasse imperils services To the Editor: We realize that Pennsylvania’s economic woes are serious. As we impatiently wait for negotiations, human service organizations are operating without funding. Although funding for victim services is universally agreed upon, the budget impasse has resulted in ZERO dollars — not state nor federal, which... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

October 4

Wolf freezes hiring, limits travel As Pennsylvania's budget stalemate enters its fourth month, Gov. Wolf ordered a hiring freeze and restrictions on travel... - AP

Pennsylvania's budget train wreck unfolded over past year The utter breakdown in state budget negotiations in Pennsylvania didn't happen overnight, but was produced by diametrically opposed policy positions and fueled by tough rhetoric among people elected specifically to work together... - AP

Pa. kids first victims of state budget stalemate As the executive director of Allies for Children, Patrick Dowd is worried and he is sounding the alarm. The state budget impasse hangs like a sword over many programs that protect our children. And many of the proposed resolutions offer faint hope for our children's future.... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Wolf tax plan to face House vote Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate heads into very uncharted waters this week with a planned vote in the House on Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax increase plan. House and Senate Republican leaders have challenged the Democratic governor to see if he can get enough votes to pass tax hikes he says are needed to... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

October 2 County officials 'very troubled' over Harrisburg inaction Montgomery County's elected officials voted Thursday to cover the state's bills for another month -- but not without expressing growing anger that the counties, schools, and other organizations who rely on state funding do not appear to be a consideration in the now four-month-long budget impasse.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf calls for hiring freeze, travel ban because of Pennsylvania budget impasse HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf's office has imposed a hiring freeze and travel ban due to the ongoing state budget impasse, now in its fourth month. The order was issued Thursday and is effective immediately, according to a copy of a memo obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The memo is from... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State agencies ordered to make budget impasse-related cutbacks State agencies are now faced with the same cutbacks that nonprofits and schools have already made while waiting on a finalized state budget that is now more than three months late. Gov. Tom Wolf's administration on Thursday issued an order that imposes a conditional hiring freeze, travel ban, and purchasing restrictions.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Fund services for children I am appalled to learn the Wolf Administration finds court-mandated child welfare and juvenile justice placement as non-essential services and therefore ineligible for funding during the current state budget impasse. Gov. Tom Wolf has broad discretion over what constitutes essential services... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Letter: Victims suffer from state budget impasse We realize that Pennsylvania's economic woes are serious. As we impatiently wait for negotiations, human service organizations are operating without funding. Though funding for victim services is universally agreed upon, the budget impasse has resulted in zero dollars — not state nor federal,... - Pocono Record

October 1 From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — Last week, the House passed measures which would provide emergency or “stopgap” funding to support school districts and various social service agencies for the next three months. This effort was intended to give the Legislature and the governor time to mete out the more... - Waynesboro Record Herald

County prepping for prolonged budget impasse Pennsylvania has been without a budget for three months and Cumberland County is feeling the pinch. But, if the logjam in Harrisburg is not broken soon, the county may need to take more drastic measures. “It’s because we have that fund balance at that level, it is the... - Carlisle Sentinel

Service agencies struggle without state budget With no state budget yet, local service agencies are borrowing money to stay afloat. Representatives of three — Child Development Inc. of Schuylkill County, Schuylkill Women in Crisis and the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center of Schuylkill County — offered insights into their situations... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Berks nonprofit groups reeling due to state budget impasse Organizations have cut programs or laid off employees; some say they may close in November if there's no resolution in Harrisburg. Reading Eagle: Bill Uhrich | Melissa Rivera, left, keeps her 1- month-old daughter Zayla steady as nurse Kristin Feightner examines the infant as part of the... - Reading Eagle

Pa. House and Senate will vote on Wolf's budget on Oct. 7 Following Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of an emergency funding bill on Tuesday, state House and Senate Republican leaders said they would vote on his latest tax package proposal on Oct. 7 while also sending the governor a letter requesting reconciliation.... - Pennsylvania Business Daily

LETTER: With state budget impasse cutting off funds, social service agencies need you to speak up We realize that Pennsylvania's economic woes are serious and honest disagreements exist on how best to rectify them; hence the budgetary stand-off between the General Assembly and the governor's office. However, is withholding funds from schools and social service agencies really the... - Meadville Tribune

With no state budget, Dauphin County paid $6.6M in three months to mental health providers Without a state budget, Dauphin County has been paying $2.2 million a month from its general fund to keep mental health service providers afloat. So far, that's added up to $6.6 million, said Dan Eisenhauer, director of Dauphin County's mental health and intellectual disabilities program.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

For now, county services continue despite state impasse Suspending programs like drug rehabilitation and mental health services is a nightmare scenario for the Lackawanna County Department of Human Services if the state budget impasse drags out too long. “It’s frightening,” department Executive Director William Browning said. “If it gets to the point where we can’t fund... - Scranton Times

AAA reeling from budget impasse With state legislators battling over the budget, the Bradford/Sullivan/ Susquehanna Area Agency on Aging has been seemingly left behind. The agency has not received state funds since July 1, when Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Republican-authored $30.2 billion budget. The... - Towanda Daily Review

September 30 Distress over budget We realize that Pennsylvania’s economic woes are serious. As we impatiently wait for negotiations, human service organizations are operating without funding. Though funding for victim services is universally agreed upon, the budget impasse has resulted in zero dollars — neither state nor federal, which... - Butler Eagle

State budget impasse hurting substance abuse treatment programs Percocet, Xanax and marijuana were a far greater concern than politics to the 25-year-old man who sat before Lauren Bongiorni on Tuesday morning in Pottstown. He abused those drugs before a recent

stay in prison. Part of the reason he had a drug and alcohol assessment in Bongiorni's office at Creative Health... - Reading Eagle

Those hardest hit by latest Pa. state budget veto says there's enough blame for everybody The next best chance to ease the squeeze from Pennsylvania's protracted state budget stalemate fizzled Tuesday when Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed an emergency stopgap funding bill. It sets up a situation, statewide, where a budget stalemate that's been invisible for most Pennsylvanians to date could soon start hitting a lot... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Centre covers services until budget passes September 30, 2015 By LAKESHIA KNARR lbauman@lockhaven. more »» - Lock Haven Express

Steve Chronister's mediator idea might help on state the budget (YDR opinion) For three months now, the best minds in Harrisburg have tried and failed to agree on a state budget. Well, maybe not the best minds. The loudest mouths? The biggest grandstanders? The most political politicians? Whatever you want to call the General Assembly and Gov. Tom Wolf's... - York Daily

Wolf rejects stopgap budget measure with veto Jason Addy PoliticsPA Several weeks after vowing to veto a short-term solution for PA’s budget crisis, Gov. Tom Wolf made good on his promise Tuesday. “This temporary General Appropriation bill fails to provide the long-term investment in Pennsylvania’s future that this Commonwealth... - Philadelphia Business Journal

Budget impasse could cost schools $11.2M in interest, fees HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania school districts have borrowed more than $346 million so far to get through the state budget impasse, the auditor general said Tuesday, as Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a short-term spending measure proposed by Republicans. Borrowing costs such as interest and fees for the districts could reach as... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Effects of budget stalemate felt by some in Centre County BELLEFONTE — As the state budget impasse heads into a fourth month, the effects creep ever closer to Centre County. Commissioners approved eight contracts Tuesday between county adult services and various entities that provide services such as casework, housing and rent assistance to the residents of Centre County. In each... - State College Centre Daily Times

Wolf to appeal to rank-and-file GOP lawmakers on budget plan HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf said today that he’ll reach out to rank-and-file Republican lawmakers in an effort to build majority support for his stalled state budget plan... - AP

September 29 Talks yield no breakthroughs on Pennsylvania's budget HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders met on and off throughout the day Monday in an effort to craft a compromise to end the Pennsylvania state budget impasse, but no breakthroughs surfaced... - AP

Progress on a state budget deal? Maybe. At least the sides are meeting While it is hard to read the tea leaves from the second round of state budget talks on Monday, some might find reason to think that the sides may be picking up intensity in their quest to end the budget impasse in its 90th day on Monday. House Republican leaders left that meeting sounding somewhat optimistic... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

This Pa. budget must correct politicians’ past mistakes Every time I read an editorial about the state budget impasse in Harrisburg, all it talks about is how to negotiate, who’s given up what and who is to blame. Whatever happened to talking about doing the right thing? For real people? The Post-Gazette’s Sept. 18 editorial “Budget Bluster” chided... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Some progress seen in Pa. budget talks HARRISBURG - As they prepare to enter the fourth month without a state budget, Republican leaders and Gov. Wolf signaled progress Monday in their effort to reach a deal on a spending plan. Emerging from closed-door talks with Wolf, House Majority Leader Dave Reed... - Philadelphia Inquirer

York County Commissioner Steve Chronister proposes mediation to end state budget impasse The President of the York County Board of Commissioners on Monday proposed professional mediation as a way to fix the budget stalemate that is in its 90th day in Harrisburg. Commissioner Steve Chronister said that York County would need a state budget by Nov. 1 before the county might have to make some of "the tough... - York Daily

Governor, legislative leaders say they may meet again tonight Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders met Monday afternoon and said they might meet again Monday night as Pennsylvania nears the end of its third month without a budget. House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, said: "We'd like to try to get a budget done sooner rather than later, so if we can meet again tonight and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

September 28 Stopgap budget? Wolf says 'no' assing stopgap spending legislation is a popular exercise in Washington. When Congress, or Congress and the president, cannot agree on critical funding, very often a temporary budget agreement is reached to buy time while a permanent solution can be worked out. Such stopgap measures... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

EMS services hurting without state budget September 26, 2015 During a budget impasse, funding for critical infrastructure keeps flowing. more »» - Warren Times Observer

GOP will allow tax vote, if Democrats secure enough support for Pa. budget HARRISBURG (AP) — Leaders of the Pennsylvania Legislature's Republican majorities will allow a floor vote on a budget package that includes an income or sales tax increase if Democrats can secure enough support to pass it, officials said Friday... - AP

Budget stalemate prevents progress on other issues HARRISBURG — The mood is subdued as the Legislature makes its full return to Harrisburg this week because the state budget stalemate shows no sign of resolution. This is the first week since the stalemate began June 30 that both the House and Senate are in session. The inability to forge a bipartisan deal... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Legislative leaders meet with Wolf on stalled state budget Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders are meeting again on the state budget impasse, but the participants report no breakthroughs... - AP

State’s vulnerable deserve much better than a stopgap For the past four years, Pennsylvania’s approach to budgeting has left human service agencies across the commonwealth short of the money they need to provide vital services and has forced those agencies to make difficult cuts to the services they provide for our state’s most vulnerable... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

September 27 Stalemate suppresses fall legislative session The mood is subdued as the Legislature makes its full return to Harrisburg this week because the state budget stalemate shows no sign of resolution. This is the first week since the stalemate began June 30 that both the House and Senate are in session. The inability to forge a bipartisan deal... - Scranton Times

Poor credit puts crunch on Pa. school districts Pennsylvania ranks second nationwide for the number of school districts with credit ratings that are the equivalent of “junk,” highlighting the challenges of a dwindling tax base coupled with increasing pension payments amid a state budget stalemate. The state has four districts, three of them in Western Pennsylvania, whose... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Hope for Pennsylvania budget breakthrough as local groups look for solutions The Republican-controlled Legislature in Harrisburg passed an $11.2 billion stopgap budget that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is expected to veto. That would seemingly put the legislative and executive branches of state government back to square one in the 89-day budget impasse, and keep school... - Erie Times-News

September 25 House passes emergency bill to release school payments, human services funding Negotiations continue as governor acknowledges all items to be negotiated, including liquor and pension reform HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today voted 117-83 for an emergency funding bill aimed at getting state funds to agencies, schools and students, House Republican leaders said.... - Westfield Free Press-Courier

Pennsylvania House sends short-term spending plan to veto HARRISBURG, Pa. — After more than two hours of angry debate Thursday, the state House of Representatives passed a short-term spending plan that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto without broader agreement on how to end a nearly three-month budget stalemate... - AP

Budget standoff prompts layoffs for at least one local service agency David Copper and Cray Children and Youth Services are feeling a little parched. Copper, the agency's executive director, says in the months since the state Legislature has been deadlocked over a budget, their funding has almost dried up, forcing them to make difficult decisions about the services they... - New Castle News

State’s budget dispute impacts county government September 25, 2015 By JIM RUNKLE [email protected] LOCK HAVEN — The fiscal gridlock in Harrisburg is being felt in the county-government-owned Garden Building in Lock Haven. more »» - Lock Haven Express

House sends Wolf stopgap budget after party-line vote HARRISBURG -- With a promised veto from Gov. Tom Wolf looming, the state House passed an $11 billion stopgap budget Thursday along party lines. The Republican-backed measure, which the Senate passed last week, was approved 117-83 and sent to Wolf’s desk, where he was expected to... - Beaver County Times

'We're strapped' County commissioners discuss state budget crisis at meeting As a state budget impasse continues in Harrisburg, Cambria County Commissioners announced Thursday that they may have to take out a loan to keep the county running until a budget is finalized. During the commissioners’ regular meeting Thursday evening at Westmont... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

September 24 Gov. Tom Wolf will veto stopgap budget 'very fast' Gov. Tom Wolf will veto the latest Republican-led effort to pass a state budget “very fast,” he said Wednesday during a stop in Lancaster. The democratic governor reiterated his intention to reject a stopgap budget before the full fiscal year spending plan is agreed upon between him and... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pa budget impasse: What Wolf, Republicans want The budget stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the House and Senate Republican majorities in the Pennsylvania Legislature has hit 86 days... - AP

Pa. House passes $11 billion stopgap budget In a vote along party lines, the state House on Thursday passed, 117-83, an $11 billion stopgap budget even though it faces an almost-certain veto from Gov. Tom Wolf. The state Senate had passed the measure last week in a 30-19 party-line vote, with all Republicans supporting the stopgap, and Democrats saying the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The state budget and your local taxes Column by Ron Ebbert As a former educator and current school board member I watch the state budget "negotiations" with great interest. Gov. Wolf was elected by ten percentage points over Gov. Corbett on the platform of increasing educational funding for Basic Education through an increase in shale taxes.... - Gettysburg Times

House advances stop-gap measure on state budget The Pennsylvania House on Tuesday advanced a stopgap budget bill toward a final vote planned for Thursday. The Senate approved the bill last week, so House passage would send it to Gov. Tom Wolf. But the governor has said he will veto a stopgap spending measure unless there is agreement on a full annual budget.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Stopgap is a nonstarter Responding to Gov. Wolf's modest movement toward breaking the state's long-standing budget impasse, Republican legislators have put their old, irresponsible fiscal plan in a new wrapper and called it a stopgap budget. While their plan promises to fund the state until November, it also... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Keystone holding on during budget impasse Keystone holding on during budget impasse By Rodney L. Sherman CLARION NEWS Editor KNOX "We're in pretty good shape right now, but we are not immune to tis political nonsense," Keystone School District Superintendent Shawn Algoe told district board members Monday (Sept. 21) night.... - Clarion News

September 23 County feeling pinch of state budget impasse MIFFLINTOWN - The budget impasse that has been dragging on in Harrisburg since mid-summer is beginning to take a serious toll on Juniata County's ability to provide state-mandated services and more. - Lewistown Sentinel

Auterson, Woods & Conover: Budget impasse taking a toll on York County agencies The York County Economic Alliance, the United Way of York County and the York County Community Foundation are together issuing an appeal to Gov. Wolf and the General Assembly to take steps to resolve the current state budget impasse and mitigate the impacts being felt across the commonwealth.... - York Daily

Human services may be scaled back CARLISLE – The state has gone 83 days without a budget. If we go 39 more, until November, Cumberland County Human Services may have to be scaled back. That includes departments like Children and Youth Services, Drug and Alcohol programs, Aging and Community Services, and Mental Health and... - Carlisle Sentinel

Pa. House has very short session for budget vote purposes HARRISBURG — Lawmakers held an unconventional House session Tuesday that lasted just minutes, was not broadcast as usual and did not include a roll call... - AP

State budget worries county September 23, 2015 HOLLIDAYSBURG — Social service agencies working with Blair County are becoming concerned about the lack of state money, commissioners said Tuesday. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Senate approves stop-gap measure to release funds for social services The Pennsylvania Senate acted on Friday to re-allocate tax dollars back into communities, including $1 billion in missed payments to schools and hundreds of millions to social services agencies caught up in the state's current budget stalemate. In passing the $11.2 billion temporary funding plan, Senate Republicans... - Pennsylvania Business Daily

September 22 Poll: Almost third of voters say budget impasse affecting them Nearly a third of Pennsylvanians in a new poll said the state budget impasse is having an impact on them, and more than a third blamed legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf for the stalemate. Harrisburg- based Harper Polling said Monday that 11 percent of 700 likely voters surveyed said the lack of a state budget was having a... - Beaver County Times

Republicans move stopgap budget out of House Appropriations Committee HARRISBURG -- In a party-line vote Monday, the state House Appropriations Committee passed the stopgap budget approved by the Senate last week, setting up a showdown later this week with Gov. Tom Wolf. Republicans approved the stopgap measure 22-15 and the GOP-controlled House... - Beaver County Times

Stopgap budget bills headed to House amid Wolf's veto threat HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Two Republican-written bills to provide short-term funding during Pennsylvania's nearly 3-month-old budget stalemate are ready for a final vote later this week... - AP

A troubling refusal to compromise Pennsylvania has a multi-millionaire governor who spent a huge amount of his personal money — as is his right — on his campaign to become the governor of Pennsylvania. His stand on increasing many taxes on the residents of Pennsylvania and his constant stand that he will veto any... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

SCCAP borrows cash to help the needy during Pa. budget impasse CHAMBERSBURG >> The South Central Community Action Program has bought time to continue operating in Franklin and Adams counties while legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf devise a state budget. Executive Director Megan Shreve will find herself soon in the awkward position of convincing people to donate to a charity to pay interest... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Franklin eyes line of credit amid budget crisis Franklin Area School District officials continue to eye a line of credit to help with expenses as the state budget impasse drags on. But with the cost of applying for that credit estimated at $15,000, the district is delaying the move as long as possible. "That's quite a chunk of change," superintendent Pamela Dye told the school... - Oil City Derrick

House takes up GOP stopgap bills amid Pa. budget deadlock HARRISBURG, Pa. - A pair of Republican-written bills to provide short-term funding during Pennsylvania's nearly 3-month-old budget stalemate are ready for a final vote later this week. The House Appropriations Committee on Monday approved the measures that passed the Senate on partisan lines last... - WFMZ

September 21 Wolf liquor plan linked to predecessors HARRISBURG — As the state budget stalemate drags on, Gov. Tom Wolf has become the third consecutive governor to offer a proposal to partially privatize a major state-owned enterprise. Mr. Wolf made a new proposal last week to place the state liquor store system under private management as part of a potential state budget... - Scranton Times

Turzai says Wolf's policies 'directly attributable' to natural gas industry layoffs PHILADELPHIA - Mike Turzai partially blamed the downturn in the natural gas industry on Gov. Tom Wolfe's proposed severance tax and his policy toward the natural gas industry. Layoffs in the industry

are "directly attributable to [Wolf's] tax policy, regulatory policy, and the world economy," Turzai said. Turzai is a... - Pittsburgh Business Times

Discussions continue on stopgap budget HARRISBURG — State lawmakers plan to spend the next couple of weeks considering a “stopgap” budget to relieve pressure on state aid recipients grappling without payments due to the two-month- old budget stalemate. Whether this process goes smoothly or is governed by the same partisan... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Schools, counties borrow to pay bills HARRISBURG — With the governor expected to veto a Republican-crafted, short-term state spending plan, a resolution to the showdown over the state budget seems weeks or months away. School districts, local governments and social service agencies that still aren’t getting money needed to pay the bills are turning to banks for... - New Castle News

Compromise a dirty word in Harrisburg Imagine for a moment if your school board or municipal government waited until the last minute to draft its annual budget, only for a few members to walk away from the table because they refused to compromise over a few disagreements. What if that stalemate dragged on for months on end to the point that, just... - Washington Observer-Reporter

What a mess in Harrisburg The next step in the state budget impasse travesty will heap insult upon injury. General Assembly Republicans will pass a stop-gap budget which will garner not one Democratic vote and which will be vetoed by Gov. Wolf. The GOP leadership will tell the citizens that they are acted responsibly... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Schools, counties borrowing to pay bills amid deadlock HARRISBURG – With the governor’s expected to veto a Republican-crafted, short-term state spending plan, a resolution to the showdown over the state budget seems weeks or months away. School districts, local governments and social service agencies that still aren’t getting money needed to pay the bills are turning to banks for... - Sharon Herald

September 20 Pennsylvania Senate passes stopgap budget amid Wolf veto threat HARRISBURG -- State House legislators will have a full agenda when they return to session Monday after the Senate approved stopgap budget measures Friday under the threat of another veto from Gov. Tom Wolf. - Beaver County Times

Increasingly desperate measures taken amid budget stalemate For Jay Badams, shutting down Erie schools would be devastating... - AP

September 18 Liquor business as budget bargaining chip is absurd If cynicism were money, Pennsylvania’s government would have a huge budget surplus. Republican majorities in both houses of the Legislature had four years under Republican Gov. Tom Corbett to do just about anything they wanted. Yet they balked at Corbett’s pleas to end the state booze monopoly and... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Price of budget impasse: Franklin County will continue services, but may borrow money CHAMBERSBURG >> Franklin County Commissioners indicated Thursday that they are willing to borrow money rather than uproot services to the needy because of Pennsylvania's boggy budget negotiations. The county is spending $1.5 million a month from local taxes to shore up... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Get the budget done (letter) The state budget has been an on going issue which has not been resolved. Recent letters to the editor from state Sens. Wagner and Leach have presented their views and opinions. What has me most

infuriated is that for several weeks after the governor’s veto no meetings were held/scheduled to work out a... - York Daily

Pennsylvania Senate readies vote on short-term spending plan HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Senate's Republican majority is poised to pass an $11 billion short-term spending plan to break an entrenched budget stalemate with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who's vowed to veto it... - AP

Wolf - somehow - sees stopgap funding plan as ‘poke in the eye’ September 18, 2015 Just so we are clear, the Republican majority of the state Legislature has offered a four-month stopgap spending bill that would fund school districts, social service agencies and non- profit... more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Blame Republicans, not Wolf, for budget September 18, 2015 After seeing the cartoon in last Sunday’s editorial section depicting Gov. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Editorial: It’s time to get a budget deal in Harrisburg Enough. Pennsylvania’s constitution mandates that a new budget be in place by July 1. So much for the law of the land. For 11 weeks and counting, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in the state Legislature have been thumbing their nose at the law – and the citizens of Pennsylvania – locked in a battle... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

A look at the differences in what Republicans, Wolf want The budget stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the House and Senate Republican majorities in the Pennsylvania Legislature has hit 80 days... - AP

Child abuse victims in Pa. once again suffering because of budget Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in Pennsylvania’s General Assembly have found common ground on one thing. Republican legislators have deemed the 24 new child protection laws enacted in the last two years “a signature accomplishment.” Gov. Wolf recently wrote that these new laws ensure that Pennsylvania's government... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Guest Column: Lawmakers must protect pensions and education Republican legislative leadership proposed a “take it or leave it deal” in the midst of the budget stalemate. It would swap deep cuts in public employees’ retirement security for $300 million more to partially restore K-12 education funding eliminated from Gov. Tom... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Phony 'reform' from Wolf During his campaign for office, Gov. Wolf outlined a plan that included dramatic changes: $1 billion more for education, a first-time tax on the freeloading gas mining industry and significant reductions in property and business taxes via increases in the state sales and income taxes. Pretty... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Pennsylvania Senate passes short-term spending plan HARRISBURG — An $11 billion short-term spending plan is on its way to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, although Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has vowed to veto the measure written by the Senate's Republican majority... - AP

Harrisburg politicians ignore the citizens June 30 is the mandatory deadline for the new Pennsylvania budget, but lo and behold, we are two months into the new fiscal year without one. Our politicians in Harrisburg, from the governor to the Legislature, are now so busy being staunch Republicans and Democrats that partisan politics... - Beaver County Times

Budget bluster: Wolf offers nothing on liquor, little on pensions You’d think a former businessman would know the art of compromise. What Gov. Tom Wolf has offered state legislative leaders is no compromise at all. The Democratic governor says he wants the

Republicans who control the General Assembly to give him a severance tax on shale drilling, more money... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gov., GOP far apart Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa. We are now on day 79 in the state of Pennsylvania without a budget, and law makers on both sides are no closer now than they were nearly three months ago when the budget expired. "This is beyond pathetic and I think we need to change," said Gov. Tom... - WATCHDOG.ORG

Wolf’s latest budget plan gets chilly reception HARRISBURG — Republican leaders on Thursday said they will push ahead with a short-term state budget and played down Gov. Tom Wolf’s new proposals for private management of the state liquor system and limits to traditional pensions for future state and public school workers.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Senate passes stopgap budget despite Wolf's veto threat Despite the dim prospects of it ever gaining Gov. Tom Wolf's signature, the GOP-controlled state Senate on Friday went ahead and approved an $11 billion stopgap budget. The partial budget bill was approved by a straight party-line 30-19 vote. The budget plan was offered by Republicans as a way to allow state dollars... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lawrence County, Ellwood schools not yet feeling pinch of state budget delay When the state Legislature and then-Gov. Edward Rendell could not agree on a budget in June -- or July, August or September -- of 2009, it contributed to havoc in the Lawrence County Government Center. The county, sorely in need of the money that comprised more than 70 percent... - Beaver County Times

How do you know when a budget offer is rejected? It's hard to tell in Pa. The state budget disagreement between Republican lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf apparently has gotten so bad they can't even tell whether an offer is rejected or not. Gov. Tom Wolf's office tweeted out on Thursday: But Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County, said on Thursday,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

September 17 End the impasse in Harrisburg Pennsylvania should not emulate the mess in Washington; it's time to negotiate a final budget deal, not settle for stopgap measures. By John Lydon and Susan Rauscher Pennsylvania’s budget impasse is creating unnecessary uncertainty for the commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents and the nonprofit service... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf, GOP spar; governor vows veto of stopgap spending bill HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican senators sparred in the Capitol on Wednesday as talks aimed at breaking a budget stalemate dragged on and the Democratic governor vowed to veto a short-term spending package that the GOP began advancing... - AP

Wolf offers concessions on liquor stores, pensions HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday that he had offered major compromises on two key issues in the budget impasse, proposing private management of the state-owned liquor store system and a new pension system for future state and public school employees that would save money.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf says he'll veto GOP interim budget HARRISBURG - An angry Gov. Wolf said Wednesday he would veto the temporary budget Republicans are proposing, calling it "a very cynical, hypocritical attempt" to solve the problems the two sides are having in reaching a deal. Wolf, who met with leaders of the GOP-controlled legislature earlier in the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

September 16

The blame game is Harrisburg's favorite sport It's been two and half months since the deadline passed for adopting a state budget, and it seems the only progress that has been made is the concerted efforts of Republican legislators to lay the blame solely on Gov. Tom Wolf. During a legislative breakfast last week at the Montour Heights Country... - Beaver County Times

What's the sound of two sides negotiating? Whatever it is, it's not happening in budget talks: Analysis This is just getting weird now. In a Pittsburgh radio interview on Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf set down the "conditions" under which he'd consider the stopgap budget plan currently being cooked up by majority Republicans in the state Senate. It was just another head-scratching moment in a season full of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Coalition of agencies sues Wolf, Department of Human Services HARRISBURG — A coalition of foster family agencies and group home service providers has sued Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and the Department of Human Services, seeking to compel them to fund services during the budget impasse that has frozen state aid to social service agencies for more than... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania court asked to order release of foster care aid HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A child welfare advocacy group is asking a Pennsylvania court to order Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration to release money for about 15,000 children in foster care that's being held up by an 11-week-old budget impasse... - AP

Pennsylvania Senate returns to move short-term spending plan HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Senate is returning to Harrisburg for the first time in two months as majority Republicans look to start advancing a short-term spending package to break a budget stalemate. The Senate's Wednesday session was scheduled to include procedural votes on... - AP

Wolf, lawmakers need to know that Pa. schools are in crisis without a budget: As We See It A crisis is building in communities throughout our state as each day passes without a budget. Like flood waters rising, an increasing number of districts are making plans to take on more debt to make payroll and pay bills as they continue to educate more than 1.8 million children in their local public schools.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf spokesman slams GOP short-term budget plan as 'another gimmick' HARRISBURG — With state Senate Republicans poised to act on a stopgap spending measure to address the continuing impasse over the 2015-16 budget, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s spokesman denounced the plan as “another gimmick that further highlights the Republicans’ clear comfort with... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Loan needed to sustain agency during state budget problems The Elk and Cameron Counties’ Mental Health and Mental Retardation (MH/ MR) program is out of funds due to the ongoing state budget stalemate and is seeking a $750,000 loan with the county’s blessing, officials have announced. The announcement was made at Tuesday’s meeting of the Elk County... - Bradford Era

September 15 ‘Stopgap’ plan invites more politics No vacation for theatrics;goal should be full budget Having used the lack of a state budget mostly as a prop for political theater, Republican leaders of majorities in both houses now want to do more of the same with a “stopgap” budget to fund certain priorities. It’s now more than 70 days since July 1, the beginning of the fiscal... - Scranton Times

Time for compromise Having used the lack of a state budget mostly as a prop for political theater, Republican leaders of majorities in both houses now want to do more of the same with a "stopgap" budget to fund certain

priorities. It's now more than 70 days since July 1, the beginning of the fiscal year,... - Towanda Daily Review

We deserve better than a stopgap budget, and passing one would take away all urgency: Editorial Stopgap? We don't need no stinking stopgap. We need a budget, a full-on, long-term, no-tricks budget. And we don't think lawmakers – or voters – should put up with a proposal that stops short of that. Passage of a stopgap measure would provide a portion of the state's yearly... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Full-speed ahead with Senate's plans to consider stopgap budget After a brief meeting between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders on Monday morning, Senate Republicans found no reason not to proceed this week with their plans to consider a stopgap budget The stopgap budget would drive out about a third of the funding that was... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

September 14 Discussing the budget State Rep. Matt Gabler (R-DuBois) gave the Clearfield County Commissioners an update on the state budget situation at their meeting on Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jeff Corcino) - DuBois Courier- Express

Discussions advance on stopgap state budget HARRISBURG — State lawmakers plan to spend the next couple of weeks considering a stopgap budget to relieve pressure on state aid recipients grappling without payments due to the 2-month-old budget stalemate. Whether this process goes smoothly or is governed by the same partisan... - Scranton Times

September 13 With Pa. budget impasse ongoing, lawmakers turn to 'Plan B' Counties, schools, and social service providers are slowly starting to see the impact of the state's three-month budget impasse. Many have dipped into their reserves, taken out loans, frozen hiring, or suspended services. Some predict layoffs by Thanksgiving.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

What a state can expect when it fails to pass a budget A wealthy businessman-turned-first-term-governor with big goals vetoes a budget delivered by legislators of the other party, leaving the state without a spending plan months into its fiscal year. And not just in Pennsylvania: In Illinois, too, divided government and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Discussions advance on stopgap state budget State lawmakers plan to spend the next couple of weeks considering a stopgap budget to relieve pressure on state aid recipients grappling without payments due to the 2-month-old budget stalemate. Whether this process goes smoothly or is governed by the same partisan... - Scranton Times

Lots of talk, no breakthrough moments yet on Pa. budget stalemate Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf is looking for the magic keys that will unlock the doors to a big state budget deal with Pennsylvania's Republican-dominated General Assembly. This just in: He hasn't found it yet. Wolf has continued his peach season series of out-of-the-Capitol,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

'Quiet crisis' as Pennsylvania's budget stalemate grinds on Pennsylvania state government's budget season is typically hectic, with raucous rallies echoing through the Pennsylvania Capitol, lobbyists packing the corridors and top lawmakers and governor's aides rushing to closed-door meetings... - AP

Mystery The budget impasse in Harrisburg continues without any end in sight. Republicans are talking about passing a stopgap budget to provide some much-needed funding for human service agencies and

school districts. However, Gov. Wolf has not reacted positively to such talk, contending that... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Republicans Senators to propose stop-gap budget to fund schools, social services The long budget impasse between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers may finally be broken in Pennsylvania next week. At least, temporarily. Republican Senators plan to introduce a stop-gap budget proposal when they come back into session on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The stop-gap budget will... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

September 11 Editorial: PA officials owe public a budget now Fallout from Pennsylvania's budget stalemate just keeps getting worse and worse. First we hear that local non-profit organizations that depend on some state funding to help our most vulnerable citizens are borrowing even more than normal so they can continue to provide services to those who, without help,... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Budget Stalemate Continues, Montgomery County To Provide Funds For Programs NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — Montgomery County will continue to front money to programs that are reimbursed by the state, though county officials caution that could get more difficult come next month. “Through the end of August we are approximately 21-million dollars... - KYW News Radio 1060

Montgomery County continues funding social services during PA budget impasse Montgomery County will continue paying those who provide human services to needy county residents through this month but that could change if the state has not adopted its budget by October. To date, the county has paid out $21 million in human service funds it has... - Levittown Intelligencer

Cambria County considers taking loan Lengenfelder says commissioners may borrow between $8M and $12M EBENSBURG - With state budget talks at a standstill, Cambria County officials said they're considering a loan, possibly upward of $10 million, to avoid a government shutdown. - Altoona Mirror

Legislators back stop-gap budget for social services State senators will head back to Harrisburg next week amid speculation that a stop-gap spending plan could be on the agenda as social service providers and school districts feel the pinch of the budget impasse. “Our most vulnerable people in Pennsylvania are the ones who are... - Beaver County Times

Pass a stopgap: Wolf and the Legislature must overcome failure A stopgap state budget that would address the 10-week standoff between the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf would be both a victory and a defeat. If a temporary funding measure could be enacted, the pressure would be off Pennsylvania school districts, human service agencies and other... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

5 Pa. budget compromises we'd like to see You're sick of the budget deadlock, we know As the stalemate over the state budget moves into its third month, and with two weeks of talks failing to yield a settlement, it looks like the Republican- controlled House and Senate will return to session over the next... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Montgomery County to fund human services through September NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County will continue to pay its human service contractors through September while state lawmakers continue negotiations over the 2015-16 budget, the board of commissioners announced Thursday. “Here in Montgomery County, a good chunk of the services we provide in... - Norristown Times Herald

Squeeze of state budget impasse tightens CareerLink, Children and Youth funding questioned - Lock Haven Express

Nonprofits in York County continue to feel state budget impasse pinch Almost immediately after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Republican-drafted state budget at the end of June, some York County-run service agencies stopped paying contracted service providers because of

the lack of incoming state funding. More than two months after the budget impasse started, invoices from... - York Dispatch

September 10 Gabler discusss state budget impasse with county commissioners By Jeff Corcino Staff Writer Rep. Matt Gabler, R-DuBois, told the Clearfield County Commissioners that he hopes the state will pass a budget - whether it is a stop-gap budget or a permanent budget - by the end of this month. Gabler gave the commissioners an update of the budget impasse at their... - Clearfield Progress

In trouble Republican leaders in the state Legislature are in a pickle. GOP lawmakers initially tried to push through their own budget without any votes from Democratic legislators, only to have it vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. That led directly to the current budget impasse between the two sides as... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

House Democratic caucus gets $1.9 million advance from State Treasury HARRISBURG -- The State Treasury has advanced nearly $1.9 million to the House Democratic caucus so it can pay staff and fund operations during an ongoing state budget stalemate. Because the state entered the new fiscal year July 1 without a signed budget, the 253-member Legislature and all its staff have been operating on... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lack of Pa. budget begins to inflict pain on residents A word of praise is due for Slippery Rock University officials who agreed to spend $3.2 million of reserve funds to spare 2,100 state students from the ongoing budget stalemate. Thousands of college students across Pennsylvania depend on financial aid from the state, but they won’t get their money on time this year... - Butler Eagle

Pennsylvania awarded grant to prevent overdose deaths HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania has been awarded a $900,000 federal grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to prevent overdose deaths related to prescription opioids. The funds, however, can't be allocated until the state's budget impasse has been resolved.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Pennsylvania budget stalemate drags on HARRISBURG — Seventy-two days. That's how long Pennsylvania's budget stalemate has dragged on between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature. It doesn't look like the two sides are any closer to cutting a deal on a 2015-16 spending plan despite recent talks to produce a stopgap spending... - Allentown Morning Call

Hanger: Wolf offering 'major concessions' in PA budget talks Seventy days into the state budget stalemate, Gov. Tom Wolf is offering major concessions to Republicans in Harrisburg, including a 401(k)-style pension plan for new state workers, John Hanger, secretary of planning and policy, said Wednesday. “We’re doing everything we can to compromise, but we will not... - Levittown Intelligencer

September 9 Pa. lawmakers considering stopgap budget HARRISBURG — With the state budget more than two months late, and no sign of an agreement between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican legislators in sight, legislative leaders said they will attempt to pass a stopgap budget to fund state government for several months while... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State budget crisis: Somerset County spends $3 million helping agencies; some borrowing to fund programs SOMERSET - Since the beginning of July, Somerset County taxpayers have covered for a lack of funding from the state budget so human service agencies, such as those that assist those with mental

health problems and those that provide services to the elderly, can continue to operate.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Stopgap budget As state legislators return to Harrisburg to work on their budget, it's important they start approving what they can instead of waiting for an entire budget to be approved. Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature have begun planning their next move in the 2-month-old budget stalemate with Democratic Gov.... - Somerset Daily

September 8 New year, old troubles All the talk about not starting another school year amid financial uncertainty was apparently just that: talk. School doors will open on time today, but with the legislature and Gov. Wolf still dueling over the state budget, the fiscal cloud hanging over Philadelphia and other districts... - Philadelphia Inquirer

GOP lawmakers' next step in Pennsylvania budget stalemate is stopgap bill Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature have begun planning their next move in the 2- month-old budget stalemate with Gov. Tom Wolf, with no signs that the sides are nearing an agreement... - AP

Stopgap bill may ease Pennsylvania budget impasse HARRISBURG — Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature have begun planning their next move in the 2-month-old budget stalemate with Gov. Tom Wolf, with no signs that the sides are nearing an agreement. The Senate will be back in session in mid-September, and Republicans say if... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania budget inaction is inexusable The Pennsylvania Legislature accomplished one and only one thing this summer: not getting a budget passed for 2015-2016. Two months past the budget deadline, there remains no sense of urgency. Many throughout the commonwealth will feel the consequences of the inaction of the Legislature:... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Credit ratings agencies warn they could downgrade schools, colleges due to Pa. budget stalemate HARRISBURG (AP) — The Standard & Poor's credit ratings agency is warning that it could downgrade some of Pennsylvania's school districts and community colleges because of the 2-month-old budget stalemate that's cut off billions of dollars in aid... - AP

September 6 No breakthroughs in quiet talks means, for Pa. legislators, it's on to a stopgap budget After two weeks of shuttle diplomacy on Pennsylvania's budget stalemate came up short on breakthroughs, Republican legislative leaders are starting to turn their attentions to a second track: a stopgap budget bill. Top aides to House and Senate Republican leaders confirmed Friday they are... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

A prod to get moving on state budget The 2015-16 school year has begun. Teachers are in front of their classrooms. Students are at their desks. Buses are running, It’s a scene that’s repeated every September. As the state budget stalemate staggers into the fall – the budget deadline was June 30 – school districts in Washington and Greene... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Schools in Phila., dozens of towns face ratings cuts, higher costs if Pa. budget drags on (Update) State-funded public schools and senior agencies face higher funding costs due to Pennsylvania elected officials' failure to settle on a budget. Moody's Investors Services warns it is preparing to downgrade the following debt: - On Friday, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said it plans to cut bond... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Our view: Governor, lawmakers have work to do As many of us enjoy a holiday from our labors on Monday, we can't help but wonder when Pennsylvania's lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf will work out their differences and agree on a state budget. The impact of the budget stalemate, now in its third month, is being felt... - Erie Times-News

Our Opinion: Don’t allow budget stalemate to sabotage Pennsylvania’s economy As you reflect this Labor Day weekend on workers in Pennsylvania, there’s reason for optimism; job growth in the commonwealth finally has returned to normal levels, and the U.S. economy continues to hum along. One worrisome footnote: Your state government could soon foul up... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Budget impasse: 68 days and counting The commonwealth is now well into its third month without a budget deal in sight from state lawmakers. The fine folks in Harrisburg have a job to do. Predictably, their index fingers are pointed in opposite directions, their feet firmly entrenched in the proverbial sand.... - State College Centre Daily Times

September 4 While lawmakers dither, Pennsylvanians suffer By Kathy Fisher A big part of our work at the Coalition Against Hunger is connecting those who face hunger to the food they need. We have a hunger hotline and receive calls every day from seniors, those who are disabled, parents trying to feed their children, and low-wage workers who are having a difficult time... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Commissioners: County OK through November or December without state budget PATTON TOWNSHIP — If you ask the County Commissioners, Centre County is in very good shape. Hosted by the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, and sponsored by Centre Foundation and PSECU, Commissioners Steve Dershem, Chris Exarchos and Michael Pipe delivered the second State of the County on... - State College Centre Daily Times

September 3 State budget: Since time stood still in Harrisburg... (YDR opinion) As of this writing, Pennsylvania has been without a budget for nearly 70 A couple of weeks into the stalemate between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative Republicans, YDR started posting the number of days without a state budget in big red type on each day's front page.... - York Daily

September 2 State’s budget impasse affecting human services in Elk County More than 60 days into the state’s budget impasse, Elk County human services are starting to feel the impact. At the Elk County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning, Elk County Children & Youth Services Director Nancy Baker said that since July 1, when the new fiscal year began without a budget in place, the department has not... - DuBois Courier-Express

FULL STORY: County commissioners have backup plan to handle state budget impasse In light of the Pennsylvania state budget impasse, the Crawford County Commissioners were presented during Tuesday morning's work session with a backup plan to handle future county operating costs. The plan is an agreement that can be enacted at any point in the coming... - Meadville Tribune

Impasse forces school to borrow cash The impact of the state budget gridlock in Harrisburg can be felt in the Berlin Brothersvalley School District. School officials voted Tuesday night to borrow up to $1.75 million to cover general operating costs, which would be covered by state funds if a financial plan was in place. The money will be borrowed from First National... - Somerset Daily

Pay back agencies that had to borrow If a state budget is ever passed for the current fiscal year, there is a high priority piece of legislation which must accompany it: a provision to pay every dime of the costs that have been incurred by social

service agencies and public schools that were forced to borrow in order to continue... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Wolf looks to 'private conversations' to break budget impasse - but the public will end up the losers; Analysis Having found an annual rite of budget season "counterproductive" -- the closed-door, big-table negotiating session that ends with participants rushing out to face a phalanx of reporters and violate the sanctity of the confessional -- the Wolf administration says it wants to move to "private"... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Franklin County spends $3 million of local taxes while waiting on state budget Franklin County has dipped more than $3 million from its reserves since July to help the homeless, needy, intellectually disadvantaged, mentally ill, old and young. The county commissioners will sit down with their staff in the next week or two to see how they can continue to provide human services in the absence... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Wolf tries new budget talks tactic: smaller, quiet meetings HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Tom Wolf is shifting strategy as a state government budget stalemate stretches into a third month, abandoning heavily attended meetings with lawmakers and aides in the Capitol in favor of smaller, more private meetings without staff... - AP

September 1 Cash flow woes: Schools feeling the pinch of the Pa. budget impasse Monday marked Day 62 without a state budget and the effects of that continue to mount. Not only is Chester-Upland School District in such a financial predicament that it won't be able to make its Sept. 9 payroll with the absence of state dollars, hardships are starting to be felt across the entire educational... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Voters say no budget, no pay for Pennsylvania lawmakers HARRISBURG — Social service agencies and schools have started to feel a cash-flow crunch as the state’s budget stalemate enters its third month. But most state lawmakers are still getting paid, although a handful are voluntarily declining their paychecks. A Franklin & Marshall College poll last month found a majority of... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

August 31 So what’s so bad about budget OK one item at a time? August 30 Both the Republican majority in the Legislature and Gov. more »» - Williamsport Sun- Gazette

Nonprofits experience budget-pinch déjà vu HARRISBURG — Nonprofit agencies got a small dose of good news as the state budget standoff went into its seventh week. Gov. Tom Wolf said he supports reimbursing smaller nonprofits for interest payments due on loans taken to make up for missing state aid payments. The... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Pa. Ending Second Month With No Budget In Sight HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Today marks the end of Pennsylvania’s second full month without a budget, and no end to the stalemate in sight. On Tuesday, state House majority Republicans – for lack of Democratic votes – tried and failed on a piecemeal basis to partially override... - KYW News Radio 1060

August 30 Letters to the Editor 8/30/2015 Editor: The Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency Inc. operates Head Start preschool programs in Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne and Pike counties. SLHDA operates its own facilities and contracts with private child care facilities and school districts to educate children.... - Scranton Times

Wolf, GOP leaders too afraid of change to adopt a budget | Editorial Flip the calendar: It's Day 61 of Pennsylvania's no-budget coma. Is anyone counting? Does anyone care? More to the point — does anyone have a way out? Compared to previous budget standoffs in Pennsylvania, this one is a snooze. No panicking. No hand-wringing. No hysteria.... - Easton Express- Times

August 28 Pa. budget impasse could affect Harrisburg employee paychecks: mayor HARRISBURG- State workers are continuing to collect their paychecks as Pennsylvania's budget impasse drags past its 57th day. But employees of the city of Harrisburg could see their paychecks affected if the standoff continues through November. Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse told city council members Thursday night... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

New poll has voters holding legislators at fault for state budget failure More than half of Pennsylvania voters hold the state Legislature responsible for the budget impasse while less than a third blame Gov. Tom Wolf, according to a poll released Thursday. Fifty-four percent of registered state voters said legislators are responsible for the lack of a state budget while 29 percent said the... - Beaver County Times

Budget divide hits home: Lancaster County commissioners impose hiring freeze as Pennsylvania budget impasse drags on The Lancaster County commissioners Wednesday imposed a hiring freeze on non-critical positions and said more drastic cost-control measures may be needed if the state budget impasse drags on. Those measures could include furloughs, work-week reductions, or borrowing,... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pa. House Democrats ask Treasury for loan; spending authorization for minority caucus may run out by mid-September Pennsylvania's House Democratic Caucus is on the cusp of a dubious distinction: it may be the first of the four legislative caucuses to run out of money due to this year's state budget stalemate. And caucus leaders are now scrambling to avoid the prospect of payless... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. lawmaker proposes stop-gap state budget after 58-day impasse Following a two-month long budget impasse, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo has decided that enough is enough and will introduce a stop-gap budget to temporarily fund state operations. In a co-sponsorship memo sent to members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Friday, DiGirolamo, R-Bucks, said he plans to introduce the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Human service programs feel pinch during budget impasse As the state budget impasse heads toward a 10th week, programs for some of Luzerne County’s most vulnerable residents face increased danger. Most of the programs administered by the county’s Human Services division are funded with state money or federal funding administered by the... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

August 27 F&M poll: More Pa. voters blame Legislature for budget holdup When Duane Smith compares Gov. Tom Wolf’s property tax reform proposal with the bill passed this spring in the Republican-controlled state House, they don’t look too different, he said. Yet Republicans are standing firm against Wolf’s overall budget and taking a hard line, said the East Hempfield Township resident, who... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Wolf, GOP put off plans to resume budget talks Day 57: A day after Republicans failed to override portions of Gov. Wolf's veto of their own $30 billion budget plan, the governor and top GOP legislators postponed plans to resume negotiations. Wolf said he needed more time to review the two key issues on the table: The Republicans' plan... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Democrats blast GOP veto override attempt as 'political theater' Emotions among state House legislators were still running high and partisan Wednesday after a futile effort by Republicans the previous day to override Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget veto. “It was an unconstitutional sham, really nothing more than political theater,” said state Rep. Jaret Gibbons, D-10, Franklin Township.... - Beaver County Times

Pa. budget impasse now on Day 57. Does anyone care? Pennsylvania will end August in the same position it started, with no finalized state budget in place. After this week's failed attempts to nudge budget negotiations along, prospects of breaking this budget impasse — which entered its 57th day Wednesday — certainly aren't looking brighter.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget divide hits home: Lancaster County commissioners impose hiring freeze as Pennsylvania budget impasse drags on The Lancaster County commissioners Wednesday imposed a hiring freeze on non-critical positions and said more drastic cost-control measures may be needed if the state budget impasse drags on. Those measures could include furloughs, work-week reductions, or borrowing,... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Governor and Legislature must compromise on severance tax Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders in the state Legislature have been at loggerheads over the state’s budget since the July 1 deadline for a new spending plan was missed. One of the main stumbling blocks is Wolf’s call for a 5 percent severance tax on natural gas. Wolf claims that tax would generate $1... - Beaver County Times

State budget impasse puts local service agencies in peril needs," said Mercer County Fiscal Administrator John Logan, referring to the 58-day-old budget impasse that is likely to fray if not break safety nets for those in need. Speaking at a Mercer County Commissioners meeting Wednesday, Logan said the county still is able to meet its payroll and vendor obligations, but only... - Sharon Herald

Budgetarily unarmed Legislature could lead to disaster Pennsylvania has the largest full-time Legislature in the nation. We wish it were smaller, but it's not. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Somerset ‘paying the bills’ despite state budget deadlock The state budget impasse hasn’t put a halt to local human services, such as Bedford-Somerset Mental Health/Mental Retardation Agency and Somerset County Children & Youth, but that’s because the county has been covering for the state, county Commissioner Pam Tokar-Ickes said.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Leadership rises as issue for Pa. voters in new poll One in five Pennsylvania voters says the most significant challenge facing the commonwealth is the politicians who lead it. In a poll released Thursday, 22 percent of voters ranked government and politicians as the top issue in the state. The category eked out education... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

August 26 County funding state programs during budget stalemate With the state still in a budget impasse, Somerset County officials are using reserve funds to pay bills normally provided by the commonwealth. Counties are floating the state, Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes said Tuesday during a Somerset County commissioners meeting.... - Somerset Daily

House Majority Leader: 'I'm not sure where we go from here' after failed veto override attempt Republicans will be heading back to the negotiating table with Gov. Tom Wolf after 20 budget veto override proposals failed to gain enough support on Tuesday. Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives attempted to override lines of Wolf's budget veto. The proposals were meant to free up... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Stop show, negotiate real budget There’s no business like show business, even when your job is supposed to be seeing to the operation of the state government. Having passed an unrealistic budget for the political purpose of making Gov. Tom Wolf veto it, Republican leaders who control the Legislature have... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

The Pa. budget and the games they play TO GET UP to date on your Legislature and the ongoing lack of an annual budget, just think of the kids' game "duck, duck, goose." That's pretty much what Democratic Gov. Wolf and Republican lawmakers are playing. Sitting in a circle, somebody, maybe Wolf, gets up and runs around tapping... - Philadelphia Daily News

State lawmakers from Berks sound off on budget vote State House Republicans attempted unsuccessfully to override portions of Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of the budget Tuesday. Republican >>>>Continue - Reading Eagle

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — Last week, House and Senate leaders tried to bring an end to the state budget impasse by offering to increase education funding by $400 million over last year, according to state Rep. Paul Schemel, a Republican who represents Franklin County. In order to generate revenue for that... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Pa. GOP tries to override only part of Wolf's budget HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's budget impasse remained firmly in place Tuesday after the Republican majority failed during hours of debate to persuade Democrats, in a series of 14 votes, to override any portion of Gov. Wolf's budget veto... - AP

Come together Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders in the state Legislature have been at loggerheads over the state’s budget since the July 1 deadline for a new spending plan was missed. One of the main stumbling blocks is Wolf’s call for a five percent severance tax on natural gas. Wolf claims that tax would generate $1... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

House fails to override Wolf budget veto House Republicans moved to unlock some state funding Tuesday by overriding Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's budget veto on a line-item basis. Their effort failed when not a single House Democrat voted for the overrides. Tuesday's move was the latest in a battle to fund state government.... - Somerset Daily

We need sensible state budget compromises August 26 By MARK PRICE The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Aug. 20 that Pennsylvania created 66,500 jobs in the last 12 months. At . more »» - Lock Haven Express

August 25 Social services shortchanged by Pa. budget crisis | Letter As a public servant helping workers after a job loss to get back on their feet and become self-sufficient again, I'm deeply concerned with the state budget talks in Harrisburg. Vital services to the state's safety net system aren't getting the funding they need. But even more concerning is the fact... - Easton Express-Times

Partial Budget Override Votes Expected Today In Pa. House HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — As Pennsylvania nears the end of its eighth week without a budget, the Republican-controlled state House Tuesday is expected to attempt something highly unusual — line- by-line override votes on portions of Governor Wolf’s budget veto.... - KYW News Radio 1060

Stop show, negotiate real budget There’s no business like show business, even when your job is supposed to be seeing to the operation

of the state government. Having passed an unrealistic budget for the political purpose of making Gov. Tom Wolf veto it, Republican leaders who control the Legislature have... - Scranton Times

In Lancaster, state Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas makes case for Wolf budget strategy For Patrina Lewis and Kayla Wilkinson, the state budget fight in Harrisburg couldn’t be more personal. “The fear of not having services is real,” Wilkinson said at a press conference Monday at CAP, the Community Action Program of Lancaster County. She said Head Start, provided through CAP, has enabled her and her husband... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Wolf blasts GOP move as 'unconstitutional' ahead of expected veto override votes: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has come out hard against House Republicans as they begin an expected attempt today to do a line-by-line override of his budget veto. In a letter to lawmakers on Monday, Wolf, called the GOP override attempt... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lancaster County is paying state's share of human services expenses ... but the money's running out The Lancaster County government’s Health & Human Services operation has more than 400 in-house employees. Normally, the state provides the majority of the money that funds their work, but without a state budget, the money isn’t coming in. “Right now, we’re covering 100 percent of the cost” of salary,... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

August 24 Editorial: Time to pass the budget As the commonwealth approaches the two-month mark without a budget, some things to consider: n According to The Associated Press, Pennsylvania has “253 state lawmakers, and its permanent staff of nearly 3,000 ranked first in the country as of 2009, according to the National Conference of State... - Sunbury Daily Item

Budget stalemate reaches fork HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s long-running budget stalemate is reaching a fork in the road that could lead either to a breakthrough agreement or efforts by Republican lawmakers to override Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of their budget bill. The direction may be clearer this week once Mr. Wolf responds to a new... - Scranton Times

OP-ED: Gov. Wolf’s tax numbers don’t add up Gov. Tom Wolf recently visited Montgomery County to blast the budget plan that he vetoed, along with the much-needed pension reform bill. His main argument is that the budget passed by the Legislature doesn’t add up. He used the term “bad math.” The governor also continues to perpetrate the myth that a severance tax on... - Pottstown Mercury

Budget stalemate at key junction HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s long-running budget stalemate is reaching a fork in the road that could lead either to a breakthrough agreement or efforts by Republican lawmakers to override Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of their budget bill. The direction may be clearer this week once Wolf responds to a new offer by... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

State GOP budget offer leaves much yet to be done August 24 Even if a proposal offered Wednesday by Pennsylvania legislative Republicans is the deadlock-breaker in the commonwealth's 2015-16 budget-preparation exercise, it is premature for state residents to... more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

August 22 Editorial: Public starting to feel impact of state budget standoff We were glad to see that in the past week the two sides finally started to show some signs of

willingness to compromise on key issues such as school funding and pension reform. We can only hope the momentum builds quickly and that this ugly episode is put behind us soon.... - Reading Eagle

Pa. House Republicans plan override votes despite constitutionality questions Pennsylvania House Republicans said Friday they will force votes next week to override the Democratic governor's budget bill veto, one piece at a time, despite questions about the constitutionality of what they plan to do... - AP

Budget crisis devours Pa. lawmakers' funds The country's largest full-time Legislature faces decisions about how it will get the money to pay thousands of employees and other costs... - AP

Day 52 of budget stalemate DAY 52 - Congreso de Latinos Unidos, a social service agency in Philadelphia, said Friday it would cut afterschool programs for 330 students, furlough 11 employees, and cut pay for the rest starting Sept. 1 to make up for the projected loss of $30,000 a day in state aid. Other... - Philadelphia Inquirer

August 21 Child Welfare Agencies Call On Wolf To Expand Funding During Budget Impasse NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — It’s now seven weeks that Pennsylvania has been without a budget, and agencies that rely on state funding are starting to sweat. That prompted a gathering in Delaware County on Thursday, to push the governor to label child welfare programs as “essential” so... - KYW News Radio 1060

Aide to Gov. Wolf visits Reading Eagle says budget talks getting serious John Hanger says he is starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. The secretary of policy and planning - a key post in Gov. Tom >>>>Continue Reading Eagle: Bill Uhrich | John Hanger, the state secretary of policy and planning and a key member of Gov. Tom Wolf's team, talks about the... - Reading Eagle

Lawmakers see own funds dwindle in Pennsylvania budget fight HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The country's largest full-time Legislature will soon have to decide where it will get the money to pay thousands of employees and other costs as its surplus, once more than $200 million, is rapidly dwindling amid Pennsylvania's budget crisis... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislators address PA budget, tax reform at Chamber of Commerce breakfast Pennsylvania's budget impasse and options for property tax reform were two of the more pressing issues a panel of state legislators addressed before more than 200 people attending the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce's annual Eggs and Issues breakfast Tuesday at the Indiana Country Club.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Social services in peril during state budget impasse CHESTER HEIGHTS >> Local Republican legislators and service providers for Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens called on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to bring funding for critical human service programs into the fold of a budget impasse exemption at a press conference Thursday.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Budget impasse affecting Delco providers Human-service providers across Delaware County called on Gov. Wolf on Thursday to release funding for their programs amid the continuing budget standoff in Harrisburg. It has been more than 50 days since a budget was due, and county service providers that rely on state funding are feeling the pinch, they said at a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

GOP plans override votes on Pa. budget bill, despite constitutionality questions HHARRISBURG — Pennsylvania House Republicans said Friday they will force votes next week to override the Democratic governor's budget bill veto, one piece at a time, despite questions about the constitutionality of what they plan to do. House Majority Leader Dave Reed told members of his caucus that he will... - Allentown Morning Call

A simple budget message to Wolf, lawmakers - Get it done: Editorial Get it done. We can think of no more direct a way to remind the Legislature's Republican majority and Gov. Tom Wolf of their fundamental responsibilities as Pennsylvania heads into its eighth week without an approved state budget. Gov. Tom Wolf Describes GOP Leaders' Offer To Get Budget Talks Moving Wolf... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. Legislature running out of cash as #PaBudget stalemate drags on: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. America's largest -- and among its best-paid -- legislative bodies could soon be engaging in our famed Pizza Rule of Budgeting if this summer's staring contest with the Wolf administration lasts much longer. That's because, as our friend Mark Scolforo of the Associated Press... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

August 20 Wolf wants state to pay budget impasse-related borrowing costs School districts and small nonprofits that find themselves having to take out loans while waiting on a state budget may get some help with the borrowing costs that they incur. Gov. Tom Wolf said on Wednesday he will support setting aside money in the final budget to reimburse those organizations for the interest payments... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. state budget talks intensify with new Republican offer on pensions, school funding It felt Wednesday like the protracted Pennsylvania state budget talks finally got serious. And that's a different – and slightly nervous - place to be. The seriousness came in the form of a new proposal from the majority Republican legislative leadership teams that would give Gov. Tom Wolf key... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Wolf - Politics before people By Sen. Gene Yaw Like many of my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate, I was deeply disappointed that Governor Wolf chose to veto a $30.18 billion, no-tax, balanced state budget plan that would have made new investments in education, improved the funding mechanism for our schools and provided... - Towanda Daily Review

Wolf backs interest reimbursements for schools, nonprofits HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania's state budget stalemate could have a cost to taxpayers... - AP

County meeting its obligations, despite Pa. budget impasse MERCER COUNTY – As Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican legislators continue haggling over the state's $30 billion budget, local officials are not yet concerned about the impact on area social service programs. Mercer County's Fiscal Director John Logan said the county is "good for a... - Sharon Herald

Nonprofits feel impact of budget stalemate Local leaders of nonprofits said they are trying to manage the best they can with the current lack of a budget in Harrisburg. “We are going to try to run as if nothing is going on,” Mary Ann Devlin, executive director of Child Development Inc., said Wednesday.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Budget differences not insurmountable Eo the Editor: Even after the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s summer recess, bridging the political divide in the state budget battle will not be easy. It is not, however, insurmountable, given that both sides have several policy initiatives they want to see enacted into law.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Wolf: Reimburse schools, nonprofits for loans due to budget impasse Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday that the state budget should include reimbursement for school districts and small nonprofit organizations for interest on loans taken out to keep going during Pennsylvania's budget impasse. “I understand the situation that school districts and human services... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

The GOP offer - a deal in sight, or a new chance for a #PaBudget breakdown?: Analysis Okay - here we go. They didn't call it a "last, best offer," but House and Senate Republicans gave Gov. Tom Wolf the functional equivalent when they emerged from a brief negotiating session on Wednesday morning. The concessions the Republicans offered on the pension plan that Democrat... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gordner: State budget compromise would be an 'incredible win' Sen. John Gordner (R-27) says a budget compromise offer from Republican leadership to Gov. Tom Wolf made Wednesday would create an "incredible win" for school districts. Seven weeks into a budget stalemate, Republicans have offered to grant Wolf's request for an additional $400 million in the basic education... - Shamokin News-Item

Wolf, Republicans report progress on pension, education funding in budget stalemate HARRISBURG — For the first time in weeks, the potential for a deal on the long-overdue state budget seemed closer after Republican legislative leaders offered a combination of pension changes and increased K-12 education funding, but legislative Democrats remain skeptical.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette ( 108753/97748 )

August 19 Montgomery County, state officials put a face on social services funding crisis POTTSTOWN >> The personal impact that is looming for human services in Montgomery County was palpable Monday morning at First United Methodist Church. Politicians, advocates and those who depend on those services were gathered to hear Ted Dallas, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human... - Norristown Times Herald

'It seems like I've made the concessions on everything,' Wolf claims on #PaBudget talks: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. With his pension reform plan hitting a brick wall, Gov. Tom Wolf says legislative Republicans are "disingenuous," for shooting down the offer when they haven't made similar moves toward compromise, WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh reports.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget nonsense August 19 The Legislature sent Gov. Wolf a budget proposal a while ago that many believe is reasonable and good for Pennsylvania. And that may well be the case. more »» - Williamsport Sun- Gazette

School officials slam Pa. budget stalemate Standing alongside school officials from across Delaware County on Tuesday, William Penn school board member Rafi Cave implored his audience to imagine planning days without any concept of a budget. "Think of your household, and having to pay bills before you even know how... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Local agencies may suffer in Pa. budget stalemate as county considers borrowing millions Retiree Shirley Pyers has no shortage of opinions about the issues that mire Harrisburg in gridlock. Her strongest feelings, however, are saved for the budget: Lawmakers and the governor, she said, ought to come up with a deal to fund the government. “They need to get off their duffs and pass a budget,” she said... - Meadville Tribune

Budget impasse puts pinch on social services Organizations that administer safety net services in Pennsylvania asked Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers on Monday to interrupt their six-week-old budget stalemate by approving stopgap aid to the struggling nonprofit providers that are increasingly taking out loans or shelving services for... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Wolf, Republicans report progress on pension, education funding in budget stalemate For the first time in weeks, Republican legislative leaders say the potential for a deal on the long- overdue state budget appears to be closer. An offer by Republican legislative leaders that combines

the pension reform they are seeking with some of the increased education spending Democratic... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

With no state funding, local agencies feel pinch August 19 Local agencies and nonprofits that rely heavily on government funding to provide human services, often for the elderly and children with disabilities, either are borrowing money from banks or... more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Make a deal: Ending the liquor monopoly could spur a budget Talks on a new state budget have been at a standstill for seven weeks, with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders seeming to use their energy only to denounce each other’s positions. In the meantime, human service agencies are running short of cash, workers... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf's pension plan no summer smash among Republicans, report: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Gov. Tom Wolf's latest attempt to solve Pennsylvania's public pension knot isn't getting much love from legislative Republicans - in fact, it's landed with a resounding "thud," our friends at WITF-FM report. More astute readers may recall that Wolf floated a pension reform plan... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

August 18 A ray of hope for a budget deal in Harrisburg Gov. Tom Wolf offered a compromise on pension reform late last week, proposing to cap the dollar amount of state and public school employees’ salaries that counts toward their guaranteed benefits and add a 401(k) component to achieve an administration-estimated $17.3 billion... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Their View: Education, tax relief are Wolf’s priorities Our commonwealth is at a critical crossroads. On June 30, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the Republican budget, a budget that fell short of what is needed to fix our schools, improve early childhood education, and help our seniors by providing much-needed property tax relief. Equally important — the... - State College Centre Daily Times

'It's almost more like a campaign than a budget debate,' Sen. Mike Folmer says (Video) State Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon, stopped by the PennLive Editorial Board for a chat on Monday morning. And more than six weeks into the 2015 budget standoff, he had quite a bit on his mind. Folmer held forth on a variety of subjects, including the state of budget... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

State budget silence is deafening; can an agreement be near? WILKES-BARRE — You know what I want to know? I want to know how hard our elected state officials are working to get an agreement on the state budget? That’s what I want to know. And I want to know who to believe. I want to know if Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to veto the entire budget... - Wilkes- Barre Times Leader

United Way survey shows impact of budget stalemate HARRISBURG — More than a quarter of the social services agencies responding to a survey expect to cut services this month due to the state budget stalemate, United Way of Pennsylvania reported Monday. Sixty percent of those agencies plan to borrow money this month so they can... - Wilkes- Barre Citizens' Voice

State budget impasse taking toll on human service agencies The overdue state budget is taking a harsh toll on some human service agencies as they struggle through a second month without state funding. It has them now calling on Gov. Tom Wolf and state lawmakers to pass at least a stopgap budget so the funding dilemma that some agencies face... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Republicans 'disingenuous' to knock pension offer, Wolf says HARRSIBURG, Pa. — Republican legislative majority leaders are "disingenuous" to criticize a compromise offer on how to reduce Pennsylvania's long-term public pension debt when they have not made similar moves to end a seven-week-old budget stalemate, Gov. Tom Wolf said... - AP

Here's how the GOP budget short-changes needy Pennsylvanians: Ted Dallas By Ted Dallas I know too many service providers throughout the commonwealth who are feeling the pain of inadequate funding after years of drastic cuts and misguided budgets. They're confronted with questions daily.How do they meet the needs that face our service providers?... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Social services agencies ask Wolf, lawmakers for stopgap aid HARRISBURG, Pa. — Organizations that administer safety net services in Pennsylvania asked Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers on Monday to interrupt their six-week-old budget stalemate by approving stopgap aid to the struggling nonprofit providers that are increasingly taking out loans or shelving... - AP

August 17 Editorial: Budget impasse should impact Pa. legislature Not much is happening to break the state budget impasse in Harrisburg. But the effects of the deadlock between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders in the Republican-majority state Senate and House are trickling down in Monroe County. Wolfe and House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62,... - Pocono Record

State of affairs State of affairs On Thursday the Daily American reported that there had been “incremental progress made.....after an hour of state budget discussions.” - Somerset Daily

Senior programs suffer from drawn-out budget impasse HARRISBURG – Retiree Shirley Pyers has no shortage of opinions about the issues that mire Harrisburg in gridlock. Her strongest feelings, however, are saved for the budget: Lawmakers and the governor, she said, ought to come up with a deal to fund the government.... - Sharon Herald

August 16 Wolf sends legislative leaders new proposal on public pension reform as possible compromise Gov. Tom Wolf is pushing a set of changes to Pennsylvania's two large public employee pension systems that he estimates would reduce the state's pension debt by more than $17 billion in the coming decades... - AP

Wolf, GOP leaders have a shot to make progress on state budget this week It's been said that the players on the stage that is Pennsylvania's state government can always strike a deal when they want to strike a deal. This week, we should find out a lot about who wants to make a deal to reach a state budget before the impacts of living without one start to pinch a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget impasse spurs shutdown of some Community Action Program services The Berks Community Action Program has begun shutting down some of its services because of the state's financial impasse. - Reading Eagle

Budget must be bold, brilliant In the past few months there have been a lot of arguments made against Gov. Wolf's budget proposal. Some have been measured and well thought out, while others have been nonsensical diatribes. Most, however, have been political in nature. Allow me to offer my own humble critique through the eyes of an economist.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

August 14

Pennsylvania budgeteers find some common ground on pensions, school funding in spending plan discussions Pension reform and school funding are just two hurdles in a race that has about eight of them. But six weeks into Pennsylvania's summer budget siege, negotiators for Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican majority legislators seem to have used those issues to un-stick themselves a little bit from the muck they've been stuck in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget debacle must end An Associated Press news analysis published in last Sunday’s Mirror began by saying that “for the third time in a dozen years, counties and nonprofit agencies... 24 Hour Subscription Only 99¢ Story Tags: Tom Wolf Governor HARRISBURG Allegheny Person Communication and Meetings... - Bloomsburg Press Enterprise

State budget impasse affects our people By Kathy Manderino Back in March, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a budget with a new and different vision for Pennsylvania: adequately and equitably funded schools, reduced property taxes and a common- sense gas severance tax. The alternative, proposed by the Republican-led Legislature, contained underfunded services... - Levittown Intelligencer

Letters: Budget impasse hurting schools GOV. TOM WOLF won election by campaigning strongly on his commitment to significantly increase education funding and to make fundamental changes in the way those funds are distributed to the 500 school districts across Pennsylvania. Soon after taking office, he proposed a comprehensive plan... - Philadelphia Daily News

Senate GOP leader may be down but not out of state budget talks Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman was not been in attendance at Wednesday's budget talks or at Thursday's negotiations with Gov. Tom Wolf. Instead, he participated over the telephone. The reason: The Centre County Republican injured his back. Corman, 50, fell at his Bellefonte home within the past week, causing the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Elderly feeling effects of state budget impasse The on-going state budget impasse has affected many counties in our area. County leaders said they need that state money, and if they don’t get it soon, many services will be delayed or cut completely. It’s been 44 days since the governor vetoed the budget. Now change is... - Carlisle Sentinel

Wolf decries 'same old, same old' in GOP budget, but talks so far have been pretty much that: Analysis So there's this scene in the first "Austin Powers" movie that leaps to mind when I start thinking about the how things are going with the state budget these days. It comes near the end, when Mike Meyers' "Austin" is trying to foil his arch-nemesis Dr. Evil's thoroughly ridiculous plot to drill to the center... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget compromise important Pennsylvania's Republican legislative leaders and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf seemed to take at least a small step forward during the past week as they held talks on two of the most difficult issues in the still-unfinished 2015-16 budget-preparation exercise. - Altoona Mirror

To boost spending, Wolf must think long term The drama of the budget stalemate in Harrisburg drags on, and we have no one to blame but ourselves - and only ourselves to look to for its resolution. The voters elected Tom Wolf governor in a big way. He beat incumbent Republican Tom Corbett with 55 percent of the vote. That sounds like a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Little to report on budget talks As Pennsylvania’s budget impasse drags on through its sixth full week, it’s beyond annoying listening to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican state lawmakers talk about having “a good

conversation” (Wolf) and “an important discussion” (House Speaker Mike Turzai) in... - Levittown Intelligencer

Wolf and GOP still talking on Pa. budget HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf and a key Republican negotiator emerged Thursday from the latest meeting on the state budget impasse to say they are still grappling with unresolved issues and plan to talk again next week... - AP

Governor, GOP leaders say some progress made on pensions, education HARRISBURG — After another meeting on the six-weeks-late state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders said they were moving closer to deals on education funding and pensions but were still far from completing the framework for a full spending plan. Productive talks on Wednesday spurred an impromptu meeting on Thursday. Mr.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

August 13 GOP blasts Wolf; stalemate nears Week 7 LEWISBURG — Flanked by six fellow House members, State Rep. Fred Keller on Wednesday said Gov. Tom Wolf’s flat-out veto of Republicans’ proposed spending plan shows the Democrat will throw Pennsylvania into financial chaos as the state budget faceoff nears its seventh week.... - Sunbury Daily Item

Budget talks show some progress, legislators say HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders reported incremental progress after a fresh budget session Wednesday, saying they planned to reassemble to continue the discussion the next morning... - AP

Wolf's budget talks with lawmakers focus on school funding HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders reported incremental progress after a fresh budget session Wednesday, saying they planned to reassemble to continue the discussion the next morning... - AP

Wolf shows movement on pension reform in latest budget talks With the state budget stalemate now in its 43rd day, Gov. Tom Wolf decided a way to try to break the logjam with the GOP-controlled General Assembly would be to focus on pension reform and education spending. While no agreements were reached during the nearly hour and a half session,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Savior or budget gimmick? Bonds no silver bullet for Pa.'s pension woes Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. If you've been paying attention to this year's ongoing debate over how to fix Pennsylvania's $50 billion public pension problem, then you probably know by now that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf wants to sell about $3 billion in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf, GOP inch closer on budget HARRISBURG - During an hour-long negotiating session Wednesday, Gov. Wolf and Republican legislators inched toward compromise on some key sticking points in a budget six weeks overdue. House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) was careful to temper expectations, but said the talks marked the first time he had seen "some... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislators criticize governor for inability to compromise August 13 LEWISBURG — Republican state legislators continued on Wednesday to express dissatisfaction over the state budget impasse that they say was created by Go. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

August 12 Officials concerned about budget The Juniata County Commissioners expressed their concern at the current state budget impasse in Harrisburg during Tuesday's board meeting. - Lewistown Sentinel

Wolf badmouths GOP budget calling it 'same old, same old' Five hours away from the next round of budget talks with Republican and Democratic legislative leaders, Gov. Tom Wolf showed no sign on Wednesday morning of any plans to strike a conciliatory tone at that meeting. Instead, he made a point at a news conference at York City Hall of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Wolf is solely to blame for Pennsylvania's budget impasse: PennLive letters Lucky us here in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We taxpayers are now entrenched without any budget, let alone a balanced budget mandated by law. Our commonwealth is walking a shorter and shorter gangplank, but our governor who recently arose nationally as the most liberal governor in the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

So much for compromise - GOP budget plan a 'sham' and 'disgrace,' Wolf says Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Gov. Tom Wolf upped the rhetorical stakes in this summer's 43-day-old budget stand-off, slamming a GOP-authored spending plan as a "sham," "insult," and a "disgrace," during a campaign stop in Norristown on Tuesday. Lobbying for his own spending priorities during a stop at the Montgomery... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf and GOP still snipe over budget As Gov. Wolf and Republican legislative leaders prepared to return to the budget negotiating table for the first time in a week, the governor on Tuesday stopped in Norristown on a mission. During a news conference, the first-term Democrat again touted his spending... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Montour chiefs rip pols over stalemate DANVILLE — Montour County Commissioner Jack Gerst is fed up with a General Assembly and governor whose six-week standoff over the 2015-16 state budget is jeopardizing senior citizens, the hungry and children in his municipality. “We keep electing people doing the same thing over and over again,”... - Sunbury Daily Item

August 11 Budget? What budget? No deal in sight as Harrisburg goes into dog days of summer: Analysis Welcome to the Sitzkrieg. Forty-two days into the 2015-16 budget year, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans who control the General Assembly have spent a long summer lobbing rhetorical shells at each other, but neither side is even close to the tactical win or negotiated peace that will win a settlement.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Montgomery County will pay for human services through August NORRISTOWN >> For the next month, at least, the county will continue to pay its human service contractors without reimbursements from the state because of the ongoing budget impasse in Harrisburg. At their meeting last Thursday, the Montgomery County Commissioners agreed... - Norristown Times Herald

Pa. budget impasse impacts county investments As the Pennsylvania budget remains at an impasse, financial officers are starting to eye their books and how long they can survive the stalemate. While county governments and school boards around the state are often able to cover the missing funds from the state’s budget for the time being,... - Pottstown Mercury

Budget stalemate heading toward further fiscal irresponsibility August 10 A recent Associated Press news analysis began by saying that "for the third time in a dozen years, counties and nonprofit agencies that make up Pennsylvania's social services safety net are girding... more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

Wolf's action signals trouble The fact is, it's now August, and Pennsylvania still has no state budget. As most state business has continued as normal without a budget, the majority of people don't realize that Pennsylvania is playing

a game of financial limbo at the expense of some of our most vulnerable citizens.... - Shamokin News- Item

Shapiro: Compromise needed for new budget Montgomery County Board of Commissioners’ Chairman Josh Shapiro said solving the state’s budget impasse will require compromise on both sides of the aisle. “Gov. Wolf clearly was elected to fix the budget mess in Harrisburg and reinvest in our schools,” Shapiro said. “He’s right to hold out... - Lansdale Reporter

Montco to prop up state social service payments for another month For the second month in a row, Montgomery County commissioners will underwrite some social service programs for the next month while the state budget battle continues in Harrisburg. Because it did not receive a $28 million to $30 million quarterly payment from the state, the county will use about $14 million of its money to pay... - Levittown Intelligencer

Pressure building as state budget standoff continues Republicans in the Legislature are looking for a way to get money flowing now that the state budget is more than a month overdue. Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders remain far apart in their budget standoff, both on specifics and the broad outline. As lawmakers worked toward a spending plan, they confronted a gap of about... - New Castle News

August 10 Legislative paychecks flow for now HARRISBURG — Several Northeast Pennsylvania lawmakers will not take paychecks while a state budget stalemate continues. Sen. John Blake and Reps. Aaron Kaufer and Mike Tobash said they have gone without pay since the new fiscal year started July 1. The majority of area lawmakers contacted continue to draw pay even as the... - Scranton Times

BALANCING TAXES, FUNDING SCHOOLS August 9 Pennsylvanians may be forgiven for thinking the state Legislature is just as dysfunctional and divided as Congress. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Analysis: Pressure building as budget standoff continues HARRISBURG – Republicans in the Legislature are looking for a way to get money flowing now that the state budget is more than a month overdue. Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders remain far apart in their budget standoff, both on specifics and the broad outline.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Gary Rotstein's Morning File: Capitol seems even crazier than usual Things seem to be getting a little out of control in Pennsylvania, so far as governance and politics go. Scratch that gross understatement. That’s like saying sharks and lions have gotten more than their normal share of media attention this summer. It’s been nearly three decades since the author of The Morning File... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lawmakers mixed on taking pay during budget stalemate HARRISBURG — Several Northeastern Pennsylvania lawmakers will not take paychecks while a state budget stalemate continues. Sen. John Blake and Reps. Aaron Kaufer and Mike Tobash said they have gone without pay since the new fiscal year started July 1. The majority of area lawmakers contacted continue to draw pay even as the... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Illogical August 9 Reading the Sun-Gazette this morning, I saw another article about the state budget in which one Gov. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

August 9 Wolf budget aids most vulnerable ISSUE | PA. BUDGET To aid the vulnerable Understanding that human-services agencies have struggled through four years of funding cuts, Gov. Wolf has crafted a budget that works to

restore $28.3 million for county service agencies, while Republican legislators'... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Social service agencies seek solutions during budget impasse David Gonzalez said he has reached out to local funding sources to see if they can provide interest- free lending to his St. Martin Center and other nonprofits until the state budget is approved. One of those funding sources, the United Way of Erie County, is looking at... - Erie Times-News

Past budget stalemates recalled HARRISBURG — No one really knows the eventual outcome of Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate — which is in its 40th day. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature remain far apart on a host of issues, including state revenue needs, education... - Scranton Times

Do kids count for legislators? New data showing a slight retreat in how well Pennsylvania takes care of its children should have inspired legislators to speed up the funding of programs that serve the state's youth. Instead, their monthlong failure to pass a budget continues. The latest state rankings by the Annie E. Casey Foundation dropped... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Plenty for education In the state budget debate, Gov. Wolf and many fellow Democrats claim our state's spending on education is dreadfully dismal, with some asserting that Pennsylvania ranks near last in education spending compared to the other states. School spending is usually analyzed at the per-student level. According to... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich: We can’t allow budget stalemate to persist, hurting Pennsylvanians Time is up. Today, social service providers missed their first payments from the state and soon they will run out of money. That means cuts to services, employee layoffs and borrowing money to keep up their mission to help those in need. Soon, a lack of state funding will hit our schools – just in time for... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

August 7 State lawmakers consider temporary budget HARRISBURG - In a rare move, state lawmakers are considering a three-month budget as an option to keep state government running while a budget stalemate continues. This would involve passing a concurrent or continuing resolution to distribute state revenue based on the previous year's allocation for that... - Shamokin News-Item

Rep. Hanna stops in to talk budget August 7 By LAKESHIA KNARR lbauman @lockhaven.com MILL HALL — State Rep. more »» - Lock Haven Express

Wolf talks budget stalemate in Larksville LARKSVILLE — Gov. Tom Wolf met with Wyoming Valley West School District officials Thursday and discussed his budget priorities and the ongoing stalemate over the state budget. Wolf insisted a new tax on natural-gas extraction is the best way to increase education funding, explaining it would increase revenue by $1... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

The state budget impasse puts the health of our economy and our most vulnerable citizens at risk Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network At some point in our lives, most of us learn the “penny wise, pound foolish” lesson. And usually, for those of us who are stubborn, we learn the hard way. We put off dealing with that rattle in the car, we push... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Berks commissioner Christian Leinbach says state GOP's budget has at least 1 major flaw Pennsylvania's Republican Legislature did its job by getting a budget to Gov. Tom Wolf by the June 30 deadline. But how good a budget >>>>Continue - Reading Eagle

Missed opportunities: Pennsylvania budget impasse hurts county investments As the Pennsylvania budget remains at an impasse, financial officers are starting to eye their books and how long they can survive the stalemate. While the Berks County government and school boards around the state are often able to cover the missing funds from the state’s budget for the... - Norristown Times Herald

August 6 Film, TV productions in W.Pa. hindered by budget stalemate Pennsylvania's five-week budget impasse is blocking Hollywood film and TV productions that want to work in Western Pennsylvania, where studios have spent nearly $1 billion over 25 years, according to the Pittsburgh Film Office. “We have a lot of interest and are awaiting approvals on several film... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

With no budget resolution in sight, Pennsylvania lawmakers still heading to Israel Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking a one-week trip to Israel in the midst of state budget negotiations. But a lawmaker and an organizer of the trip says it's not something unheard of. For more than a year, eight lawmakers, including Democrats and Republicans,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Legislature explores what it will do when its reserves are gone As the state budget impasse stretches into its second month, contingency plans are starting to be developed in the event the legislative branch runs out of money. Already, the legislative caucuses are looking at borrowing money in the event the budget stalemate continues after their reserve accounts are... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lawmakers consider 3-month budget HARRISBURG — In a rare move, state lawmakers are considering a three-month budget as an option to keep state government running while a budget stalemate continues. This would involve passing a concurrent or continuing resolution to distribute state revenue based on the previous year’s allocation for... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Leaders, "swallow your pride and practice a little give and take" on state budget: PennLive letters Picking up the newspaper or turning on the evening news on TV, I become beyond frustrated with state and national politics. The Pennsylvania Legislature and governor repeatedly lock horns over the budget. The term impasse doesn't do their battle justice. I am so sick of... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Republicans, Democrats hear same budget advice from constituents: Hold your ground cross Pennsylvania, state lawmakers regardless of which political party they belong to are pretty much getting the same advice from constituents about what to do about the state budget impasse: Stick to your guns. Stand strong. Hold the line. As a result, this has contributed to this year's budget stalemate becoming... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

August 5 Letter: Governor’s budget revealed to be fraud Wolf's claims don't hold up under scrutiny. Editor: Gov. Tom Wolf's budget is a fraud. In his recent visit to Phoenixville, he heralded his budget that includes a >>>>Continue - Reading Eagle

Guest column: Governor’s budget is good for environment By Greg Vitali, Times Guest Columnist Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget is significantly better for Pennsylvania’s environment than the Republican budget he vetoed in June. Wolf’s budget would invest in renewable energy and conservation, increase funding for state environmental enforcement agencies and provide... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — “It has been more than a month now since the House and Senate passed the budget which Gov. Tom Wolf quickly vetoed. The governor’s decision to veto rather

than line-item, or “blue line” veto, the budget was perplexing considering more than two-thirds of the line items... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Wolf, Scarnati underscore differences holding up budget HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania is entering its sixth week without a state budget and neither side is willing to set an absolute deadline for settling the dispute... - AP

Budget impasse is holding up key fix to prescription drug abuse As the deadly toll from heroin use and prescription drug abuse continues to rise, a program expected to help save lives remains in limbo. That is because the $2.1 million necessary to implement the controlled substances database authorized in October 2014 will come from the state... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Wolf, GOP still talking about budget - and not agreeing For the second time in a week, Gov. Wolf has met with Republican legislative leaders, but once again they failed to find common ground on a new budget, now more than a month overdue. After a 30- minute meeting late Monday afternoon in Harrisburg, their differences remained canyonesque, the sticking points the same - a new levy... - Philadelphia Inquirer

August 4 Budget stalemate is about priorities, not politics By Rep. MARTIN CAUSER 67th Legislative District | 0 comments When I talk to people about the state budget and the current stalemate, many of them voice frustration over what they see as a partisan political battle. While I understand their frustrations, I want to be clear that this... - Bradford Era

Social services to feel pain of budget gridlock For Pennsylvania’s social-services agencies, the current state budget impasse between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-dominated legislature is something they've seen before. “I am really not happy to be going through this again,” said Susan Blue, president and CEO of Community Services Group.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pat Cuneo: No state budget harms social service agencies Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican floor leaders, Rep. Dave Reed and Sen. Jake Corman, are hopefully coming to at least some basic understanding about the state budget. Because, without one, social service agencies in particular will further feel the pinch by either having to borrow money or use some other painful... - Erie Times-News

Somerset County developing plan for state budget stalemate As the budget impasse continues in Harrisburg, counties across the state are looking at how to fund state-mandated human service programs — without state funding. Somerset County Commissioner Pamela Tokar-Ickes is in Pittsburgh at the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania annual conference to get... - Somerset Daily

Politicians love to claim mandate they don't really have: Christopher Nicholas By Christopher Nicholas Politicians love mandates and often lay claim to them. But the key to actually wielding a political mandate is that other politicians must both acknowledge it and acquiesce to it. The conundrum in the state's continuing budget stalemate is that all... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Compromise is key Editor, Gettysburg Times, During their defiant, mutual admiration session concerning the state budget, reported in today's (July 24) Times, state representatives Tallman, Klunk and Moul failed to address or acknowledge a number of issues. - Gettysburg Times

Ongoing budget negotiations put Israel trip in flux for Pennsylvania lawmakers While Pennsylvania Speaker Mike Turzai has chosen not to go on a one-week educational tour of Israel in order to continue budget negotiations, one Democratic leader is still going. The trip, organized by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, gives lawmakers and others the opportunity to learn about issues in Israel as... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf budget is blueprint for Pa.’s future By John Hanger On June 30, Republican lawmakers failed to pass a balanced budget. The Republican budget would lead to a $3 billion deficit by 2016-2017. As we’ve seen over the past four years, this only leads to more credit downgrades and fiscal crises that get kicked down the road to hard- working... - State College Centre Daily Times

Gov. Tom Wolf on GOP budget negotiations: 'I could just roll over, but I'm not going to do that' After more than a month of failed budget negotiations, Gov. Tom Wolf said he doesn't see any signs that he's swaying the General Assembly-controlling Republicans toward his proposals. Wolf met with House Speaker Mike Turzai and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati for 35 minutes Monday for budget negotiations. The main topic... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf puts politics before people Like many of my colleagues in the Pennsylvania Senate, I was deeply disappointed that Gov. Tom Wolf chose to veto a $30.18 billon, no-tax, balanced state budget plan that would have made new investments in education, improved the funding mechanism for our schools and provided... - Lock Haven Express

August 3 DN Editorial: Better late than awful THE STATE BUDGET is now more than 30 days past deadline. But rather than fretting, we're a bit relieved. That's because if history shows us anything, a fast budget is a dumb budget. Certainly, recent history backs that up. Gov. Tom Corbett touted his on-time record delivering a state... - Philadelphia Daily News

DN Editorial: Better late than awful THE STATE BUDGET is now more than 30 days past deadline. But rather than fretting, we're a bit relieved. That's because if history shows us anything, a fast budget is a dumb budget. Certainly, recent history backs that up. Gov. Tom Corbett touted his on-time record delivering a state... - Philadelphia Daily News

Legislator expects state budget stalemate to last for several weeks at least August 1 LOCK HAVEN — Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year started July 1 without a spending plan in place in the commonwealth, and the situation is beginning to have an impact locally. State Rep. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Wolf, GOP property tax reform plans are a lot alike Few observers offer up much hope for a budget deal in Harrisburg any time soon, but there is one area where the Republican-controlled General Assembly and the Democratic governor are actually quite close in their positions. That area, at least as Stephen Herzenberg sees it, is property tax reform.... - Pottstown Mercury

Get beyond Pa. budget impasse By Madeleine Dean Pennsylvania is a month into a budget stalemate, and I've had some extra time to think and rethink possible fixes. Here's what is known and broadly agreed on: Any budget we ultimately enact must fix our $2 billion budget deficit and reverse four years of harmful cuts to education and human services.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislators need to get their job done Regarding the impasse in passing the state budget and the proposal to tie legislative pay to the budget’s passing (“Proposal ties pay to budget,” July 29): I was appalled at some of the statements by our representatives: — Sen. Lloyd Smucker: He’s open to the idea if members of the... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Budget missing, but Pennsylvania collects $2B-plus in taxes Pennsylvania may not have a state budget, but tax revenues are pouring into the state treasury by the billions... - AP

Ads seek to mobilize public opinion in Pennsylvania budget battle “Don’t raise taxes on Pennsylvania-made energy,” urges an ad from Citizens to Protect PA Jobs. “Tell the legislature to get serious and pass a real budget,” says one from America Works USA. With Republican legislators and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf stalemated on the... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Budget impasse affecting top health crisis in Pennsylvania, physician general says As heroin, opiates and prescription drug abuse continue to kill thousands of Pennsylvanians, the state budget impasse is holding up a solution to what the physician general calls the biggest health crisis in the commonwealth. One of the most common problems in battling the addiction is... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget impact cost weighed HARRISBURG — With no sign of a bipartisan budget deal on the horizon in the Capitol, social service providers statewide may cut discretionary spending, borrow to meet expenses and lay off employees temporarily. The Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, which provides services to... - Scranton Times

PA: Month #2 With No Budget And No Sign Of Deal HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Pennsylvania has begun its second month without a state budget with no end to the impasse in sight. A negotiating session this past week produced little progress. In fact, the biggest budget-related development involved provocative comments during a... - KYW News Radio 1060

Budget gridlock hits seniors; who’s next? July 31 he state budget impasse must end. All lawmakers need to get back to work in Harrisburg. more »» - Lock Haven Express

Working through budget impasse created by Wolf By Sen. JOE SCARNATI Fast forward six months — Governor Wolf has certainly proven that he is different. Once he realized that a massive $4.7 billion tax increase in this year’s budget lacked support, he resorted to using both his Administration and Campaign to attack members of the Legislature, instead... - Bradford Era

For Wolf, lawmakers - it's time to stop the #PaBudget posturing and get to work: Monday Morning Coffee FotorCreated 1.jpg Republican lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf. Who will blink first as budget negotiations drag into a second month? (PennLive file) (Christian Alexandersen, Pennlive) John L. Micek | [email protected] By John L. Micek | [email protected] Email the author | Follow on Twitter... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget impact cost weighed HARRISBURG — With no sign of a bipartisan budget deal on the horizon in the Capitol, social service providers statewide may cut discretionary spending, borrow to meet expenses and lay off employees temporarily. The Women’s Resource Center of Scranton, which provides services to... - Scranton Times

August 2 Turzai shouldn't threaten veto override unless he's willing to do it: Tony May By Tony May Back in the summer of 2012, in the middle of the unsuccessful Romney for President campaign, then Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Mike Turzai revealed a flaw in his basic education – that there are some things you can think but that you should never vocalize let they come back to bite you... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Nathan Benefield: Gov. Wolf's tax plan will hurt working families For the past month, Gov. Tom Wolf has been holding press conferences at empty school buildings across the state. At each stop, Wolf defends his veto of a no-tax-hike state budget and paints his record-setting tax-and-spend plan as a reasonable alternative. Simultaneously, voters are inundated with TV and radio attack ads and... - Allentown Morning Call

Our view: Get it done in Harrisburg Take care of business: It's long past time for Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, and the Republican- controlled Legislature to pass a budget, even if it contains that dirty word that some unyielding politicians find so distasteful -- compromise. Wolf and the two Republican floor leaders, Rep.... - Erie Times-News

Credit downgrades weigh on budget talks The downgrades to Pennsylvania’s credit rating during the past several years due to higher public pension costs and reliance on one-time revenue sources are a key issue in the current stalemate over the state budget. Gov. Tom Wolf has said those downgrades, which make government borrowing... - Scranton Times

Drilling for political cash brings gusher The vast flow of natural gas out of the Pennsylvania ground has produced a trickle of public revenue relative to the value of the gas. Pennsylvania’s status as the only major gas-producing state not to impose a severance tax on the value of gas is a function more of politics... - Scranton Times

Pa. social services brace for budget stalemate damage For the third time in a dozen years, counties and nonprofit agencies that make up Pennsylvania's social services safety net are girding to pay the price of partisan deadlock in Harrisburg... - AP

Hardly working Since Gov. Wolf rightly vetoed a fiscally irresponsible budget passed by the legislature's ruling Republicans a month ago, the two sides have succeeded mainly in protecting their favorite special interests - including government liquor stores (Democrats) and gas drillers (Republicans) - at... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Winners & losers: The Pennsylvania budget siege There's a budget impasse in its 33rd day today. But from the looks of the Capitol, you'd never know it. There are no drum-beating protests. The General Assembly is nowhere near the Capitol. Members are on the beach, playing golf or working hard in their districts (yeah, right).... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Hospitals need help in the state budget While the state budget process continues to move ever so slowly, there is an urgent need for Gov. Tom Wolf and our legislative leaders to produce a budget that provides essential funding for Pennsylvania hospitals. Western Pennsylvania hospitals are already struggling and any additional... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

July 31 Budget gridlock hits seniors; who’s next? July 31 he state budget impasse must end. All lawmakers need to get back to work in Harrisburg. more »» - Lock Haven Express

Public urged to contact political leaders about Pennsylvania budget STATE COLLEGE — State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham is determined to see the state pass its budget. But she needs help from the community. On Thursday afternoon, Goreham, members of Education Voters of Pennsylvania, and other local educators held a news conference at Schlow... - State College Centre Daily Times

Hanna: ‘Big ticket items largely unresolved’ Hanna: ‘Big ticket items largely unresolved’ - Lock Haven Express

GOP believe veto override is necessary Republican lawmakers may try to garner enough votes to override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of the GOP budget proposal. Republican House Speaker Mike Turzai told reporters earlier this week that he is not taking the possibility of attempting to override the veto of the... - Somerset Daily

Business leaders petition against Gov. Tom Wolf's tax hikes A group of local small business owners stopped by a quiet Capitol on Thursday to start a petition against a budget with new taxes. Andrew Lewis, partner of Tradesman Drywall in Lower Paxton Twp., said Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed increases in sales and income taxes will put a burden... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Cutting pay no way to get a good state budget for Pennsylvania THE ISSUE State Sen. Rob Teplitz, D-Dauphin County, has proposed withholding the pay of members of the General Assembly and the governor, lieutenant governor and the governor’s Cabinet when a state budget is late. At least two public interest groups — Rock the Capital and Common Cause Pennsylvania... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

July 30 Feeling Pinch of a Late State Budget Feeling pinch of a late state budget - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Kaufer criticizes Wolf over month-long budget stalemate A Republican leader in the state Legislature joined state Rep. Aaron Kaufer on Wednesday to criticize Gov. Tom Wolf over the month-long budget standoff. House Majority Whip Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, and Kaufer, D-Kingston, held a news conference at Kaufer’s district office.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Lawmakers 'put drillers before our students,' official says at education rally Education advocates and Lehigh Valley school officials Wednesday urged lawmakers to return to Harrisburg and put students first. Almost a month into the fiscal year, Pennsylvania remains without a state budget. "We send lawmakers to Harrisburg not to do the least they can do, but to do... - Easton Express-Times

House Republicans say governor must face budget reality Gov. Tom Wolf manufactured an upcoming crisis for social services agencies by vetoing the entire state budget passed by House and Senate Republicans instead of only parts, a key Republican House leader charged Wednesday. In the budget they passed June 30, House Majority Whip Bryan Cutler said,... - Scranton Times

Democratic leaders warn of consequences if Pennsylvania budget impasse isn't resolved Allegheny County will run out of state money to fund a variety of human services by the end of August if the state budget impasse isn’t resolved, county Executive Rich Fitzgerald said Wednesday. Speaking at a gathering of Democratic state lawmakers at the courthouse,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Here's the real truth about state budget impasse Here is the proper state budget narrative, as explained by four Republican state representatives at a media event Tuesday morning in the Lehigh Valley. • Gov. Tom Wolf's budget drastically increases taxes on working families and was voted down unanimously when it was presented to legislators, so... - Allentown Morning Call

Gov. Wolf and state GOP 'making progress' on budget talks They're sticking to the same talking points, but they are talking. A month into the state budget impasse, Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday morning met with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R- Centre County, and House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, to hash out what have seemingly been... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 29 Editorial: There must be a better way to pass state spending guide Nearly a quarter-century ago, following a 1991 budget stalemate, officials at Common Cause/PA suggested the Legislature and the governor amend - Reading Eagle

Messages from the state budget mess WHAT HAPPENS when both sides of an argument have decent points but neither side is willing to acknowledge the other's merit? In Pennsylvania, you don't get a budget. One reason the budget is nearly one month late - and certain to be much later - is Gov. Wolf and Republican lawmakers make pretty sound pitches.... - Philadelphia Daily News

Editorial: Call your legislators today Recent news reports indicate that Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders from the Republican-led state General Assembly continue meeting over state budget issues. Those same accounts indicate the two sides still aren’t making much progress. How about lighting a fire under them?... - Pocono Record

Pa. hospital association says Wolf's proposed tax hike would hit hard Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed state budget includes an 18 percent tax increase on hospitals and would cut funding for burn centers and maternity-related services by $4.1 million for Western Pennsylvania hospitals, the president of a statewide hospital association said.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Local Republicans lawmakers promote budget plan With a potential delay of funding to local agencies and programs looming after a month of state budget stalemate, regional Republica lawmakers came to Stroudsburg on Tuesday to clear air on their differing spending plan from Governor Tom Wolf’s, which was rejected by the state... - Pocono Record

Who are state legislators working for? Not us! It’s been almost nine months since the November election when we sent several well-paid legislators to Harrisburg to solve our problems. It’s time to ask yourself the following questions: What have they done for you? Are you getting your money’s worth? Are we on a road to solving our... - BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES

School districts, local governments cast eye toward budget impasse The calendar might say July, but Washington School District business manager Rick Mancini is thinking of Christmas. And it’s not because visions of sugarplums dance in his head. They’re more like nightmarish flashbacks to Christmas 2003, when then-Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell’s two-pronged approach to the state... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Wolf meets with Republican leaders about Pennsylvania budget YORK, Pa. (AP) — There's been another meeting aimed at resolving Pennsylvania's state budget standoff, but participants aren't reporting any breakthroughs.... - AP

Budget pinch hits counties soon County officials are bracing for delays in state payments that help fund important human service programs starting next month because of the lengthening Pennsylvania budget stalemate.? The delays primarily will affect services for mental health, intellectual... - Scranton Times

Gov. Wolf and state GOP 'making progress' on budget talks They're sticking to the same talking points, but they are talking. A month into the state budget impasse, Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday morning met with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R- Centre County, and House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, to hash out what have seemingly been... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Nursing homes watching Pennsylvania budget impasse Publicly owned nursing homes like Cedarbrook and Gracedale may start to feel the pinch if the budget showdown between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in the state Legislature lingers a few more weeks. Wolf acknowledged last week that counties may have to borrow to bankroll... - Allentown Morning Call

July 28 Should legislators forgo pay when state lacks a budget? Nearly a month after the July 1 deadline, the state still lacks a 2015-16 budget. Yet legislators are still being paid — a fact that irks some political observers. “You should not be rewarded for failing to do

your job,” said Eric Epstein. He’s the coordinator of Rock the Capital, a Harrisburg-based group that... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

House Speaker Raises Possibility Of Budget Veto Override Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai says an attempt to override Governor Wolf’s veto of a Republican-passed budget could be in the offing if further negotiations do not produce an agreement. Speaking at Harrisburg’s monthly Press Club luncheon, Allegheny County... - KYW News Radio 1060

Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai says Gov. Tom Wolf is not negotiating realistically on state budget Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai said talks on the delayed state budget aren't moving forward yet in large part because Gov. Tom Wolf hasn't accepted the reality that his positions lack serious support in the General Assembly. That's also why Turzai, a Republican from Allegheny County, said Monday he... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House speaker links liquor overhaul to new taxes for budget HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A leading proponent of liquor privatization in the Pennsylvania Legislature said Monday that selling off the state stores must happen for any type of tax to be increased, with budget talks deadlocked nearly a month into the state's new fiscal year... - AP

Wolf makes the case for his budget in Abington Gov. Tom Wolf stood with local officials outside of Willow Hill Elementary School on Monday to stress the importance of making changes to the way public education is funded and why he’s holding out for it during the budget impasse. Monday marked the 27th day without a budget in Pennsylvania and Wolf made a... - Lansdale Reporter

Key Pennsylvania House Democrat says override votes on Gov. Wolf's budget veto aren't likely A leader of the conservative wing of the state House Democratic Caucus said Monday House Republicans will have trouble finding the votes needed to override Gov. Tom Wolf's June 30 budget veto. Rep. Nick Kotik's comments came in response to remarks earlier in the day... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State budget impasse hurts nonprofits in variety of ways Eric Saunders appreciates the help but worries about the wait associated with the state budget impasse. Every week without a resolution in Harrisburg is another week New Hope Ministries must do without funding from the state food purchase program. “We have not yet received our allocation for the coming fiscal... - Carlisle Sentinel

July 27 Local state reps blast Gov. Wolf, budget veto To borrow a phrase from State Rep. Dan Moul, R-91, he and two legislative colleagues beat Gov. Tom Wolf "like a rented mule" Thursday during a panel discussion taped for broadcast by Community Media of South Central Pennsylvania. Throughout the hour-long "Political Insight" taping in New Oxford, Moul and... - Gettysburg Times

Mailers target Sen. Smucker, other Republicans in budget battle Residents of state Sen. Lloyd Smucker’s district have been receiving mailers this month blasting his budget stance. “LLOYD SMUCKER is blocking progress,” they proclaim. “Lloyd Smucker’s budget is bad news.” The mailers give the number of the Republican lawmaker’s Lancaster... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

July 26 Budget standoff's distinct scenario HARRISBURG — Each state budget fight has its own dynamic, shaped by such disparate factors as the political balance of power, the realm of side issues linked to the budget, court rulings and the personalities involved. The stalemate pitting Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf against a... - Scranton Times

Budget stalemate leaves Wolf's record so far incomplete HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf holds a political science doctorate, but these days he's a freshman with an incomplete in the first big test of his administration — getting a budget through the Republican-controlled Legislature... - AP

Wolf acknowledges service providers may have to borrow money HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf acknowledged Friday that nonprofit social services providers may have to borrow money during the state budget stalemate, but he said they should share his broader goal of doing the right thing for Pennsylvania... - AP

‘Dark money’ ad blitz surrounds budget debate As Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislators slog through a summer-long budget fight, things are looking grim for public schools and human service agencies that rely on state funding. But look on the bright side: Thanks to advertising by groups with inscrutable names, at least bulk-mailing firms... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Road to Pa. budget resolution remains long HARRISBURG - Late last week, Gov. Wolf quietly made a 90-minute road trip to the State College area to talk to Republican legislative leaders about the budget impasse. There were no cameras or fanfare - and, unlike in the last few months, no rhetoric or sweeping public pronouncements in the aftermath.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

July 24 The governor’s budget veto is all about politics What kind of so-called compassionate elected official would veto an entire budget when more than 100 line items were exactly what he asked for? What kind of governor would veto line items funding housing and other services for severely disabled children and adults when those line items were... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf needs to quit campaigning By state Rep. Ryan Warner We are now several weeks into the state’s fiscal year with no signed budget and education funding in the balance. So why is Gov. Tom Wolf traveling the state campaigning for an already rejected budget proposal? It’s time to get off the campaign trail and get serious about working... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

No budget, no pay: Lawmakers discuss merits of that idea Until this state budget impasse is over, Sen. Rob Teplitz does not intend to take a paycheck. The Dauphin County Democratic senator said to do otherwise would make him a hypocrite. He has introduced legislation that would suspend the pay of lawmakers and top executive branch officials in the event of a late budget since state... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

As budget talks linger, Dem legislators try to rally public in Scranton With state budget talks dragging on, local Democratic legislators urged Republican legislative leaders to get serious about fixing the state’s major financial problems: properly funding public schools and cutting property and corporate taxes. Joined by House Democratic policy chairman Rep. Mike Sturla, D-96,... - Scranton Times

Social service agencies should push to protect state funding during budget impasse A former longtime state legislator urged local human services providers on Thursday to use the state’s budget impasse as an opportunity to push for lasting improvements in the funding of such services. Allen Kukovich, who served 27 years in the General Assembly, told an... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Area Democrats accuse Republican legislators of obstructing state budget talks SCRANTON — More than three weeks past the budget deadline, State Rep. Marty Flynn accused Republican legislators of obstructing state budget talks in order to make a point rooted in “right-wing ideology.” “Government doesn’t work and they’re out to prove it,” the... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Intrusion sullies budget talks BY REP. AARON KAUFER Recently, a special interest group out of Washington, D.C., America Works USA, started airing television commercials and sending out statewide mailers in a blatant attempt to politicize the budget process in Harrisburg. However, I believe this approach hinders the negotiation of a... - Scranton Times

Tommy Sankey and Matt Gabler | Real solutions for residents' prosperity Divided government may entertain people who watch the news, but it frustrates Pennsylvanians who desire solutions without bickering. We understand our constituents’ dissatisfaction with the budget impasse in Harrisburg and are committed to working toward solutions that benefit... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

July 23 House panel passes budget bill, but don't get your hopes up Don't be fooled by the House Appropriations Committee's approval of a budget bill on Wednesday. It doesn't mean an end to the 22-day-old budget stalemate is in sight. The committee's 21-11 party-line vote was merely a procedural move to speed up the process in passing an eventual budget agreement – or possibly a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Armstrong agencies keeping close watch on state budget woes A pair of social agencies in Armstrong County are working to ensure services won't be interrupted if a state budget isn't adopted soon. The Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging, and Children, Youth & Family Services, which rely on state funding to provide services for senior... - Kittanning Leader-Times

Pa. budget impasse impacts state police support system As the governor and lawmakers in Harrisburg continue to squabble over a new state budget, the consequences of a dried-up system are beginning to affect the support system of state police officers. Gregory Dinnocenti and Eleanor Engro are the owners of the building that... - Pottstown Mercury

Before reform, fund properly By Adam Schott and David Lapp Earlier this summer, the state Senate advanced a far-reaching proposal to put public schools with low test scores under direct state control. As evidenced by statements by Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D., Phila.) and others, the legislation appears likely to be used as a bargaining chip in... - Philadelphia Inquirer

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — Wolf Budget Plan Includes More Taxes Nearly three weeks into the new fiscal year, there is still no budget agreement in Harrisburg with Gov. Tom Wolf insisting on broad-based tax increases for you and me. Did you know the governor wants to raise and... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Intrusion sullies budget talks Recently, a special interest group out of Washington, D.C., America Works USA, started airing television commercials and sending out statewide mailers in a blatant attempt to politicize the budget process in Harrisburg. However, I believe this approach hinders the negotiation of a... - Scranton Times

In Pa. Capitol, minority might rule on budget (YDR editorial) Majority rules. That's a fundamental principle of democracy. But in this year's battle over a state budget between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative Republicans, majority rule could, ironically, result in minority rule. How so? As with all things General Assembly-related, it's complicated, but here... - York Daily

July 22 Governor’s proposal would burden working families SEN. RYAN P. AUMENT | Special to LNP On June 30, the Republican-led Legislature passed an on-time, responsible state budget that would increase spending by 3.6 percent and include important

investments in public education. The budget presented to the governor did not seek to increase or enact new taxes on working families.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pa. Budget Talks: Progress, But No Breakthroughs HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — Democratic Governor Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders say talks Tuesday on Pennsylvania’s three week-old budget stalemate were productive, but there were no breakthroughs reported. Perhaps the best sign is that Tuesday’s negotiating session between the... - KYW News Radio 1060

House panel passes budget bill but don't get your hopes up. It's not done yet. Don't be fooled by the House Appropriations Committee's approval of a budget bill on Wednesday. It doesn't mean an end to the 22-day-old budget stalemate is in sight. The committee's 21-11 party-line vote was merely a procedural move to speed up the process in passing an eventual budget agreement – or possibly a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget summit leads Wolf to say: 'We're going to get through this' Following a more than three-hour budget summit on Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders say they now have a better understanding of the justifications behind the $4 billion difference that separates their spending plans. Although no agreements were reached on how to resolve those differences,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Trading insults instead of ideas Stop the whining and get to work! That’s our advice to Republican lawmakers who are complaining the governor isn’t being nice to them. The Republicans are so upset they called a press conference on Monday to say so. “We can’t negotiate with a constant campaign barrage aimed... - Levittown Intelligencer

Unwritten ‘rule’ ensures state gridlock Pennsylvania’s government still is without a budget in the third week of the new fiscal year. And, thanks to a legislative rule that’s so cynical that its devotees won’t even set it to paper and formally adopt it, gridlock on the budget and a host of related matters is foreordained... - Scranton Times

Franklin concerned about state budget delay As the state's effort to arrive at a budget deal drags on, a Franklin School Board member is concerned about what that might mean for the school district. School director Randy Seitz raised the topic at the panel's meeting earlier this week. "If this (a state budget) does not get passed, if it (the wrangling between... - Oil City Derrick

Wolf, lawmakers sound upbeat after 4-hour budget talk HARRISBURG, Pa. — A nearly four-hour budget meeting in the Pennsylvania Capitol on Tuesday left the governor and Republican leaders sounding upbeat even though they had no major breakthroughs to announce... - AP

Budget stalemate concerns leaders July 22 HOLLIDAYSBURG — The current state budget stalemate is stirring concern among county officials who have not forgotten the 2009 state budget stalemate that lasted into October. more »» - Altoona Mirror

'We're gonna figure this out': Gov. Tom Wolf, Republicans finish three-hour budget talks upbeat After more than three hours of discussion and a couple of pizzas, Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders said they like that budget negotiations are developing. House Speaker Mike Turzai said Tuesday's budget negotiations served as an important step to understanding where they stand in the budget process and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Our view: Stop Harrisburg's shenanigans Some disturbing things are going on in Pennsylvania's capital. First, there is the bizarre case of former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed. He has been arrested on political corruption charges, including

allegations that he secretly diverted money to buy "artifacts and curiosities" for phantom... - Erie Times-News

Lawmakers are experts at costing us more without ‘raising taxes’ July 22 If you happen to be a politician wondering why most people have lost all confidence and faith in you, consider this: Members of the House of Representatives were scrambling Wednesday to find about... more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

July 21 Gov. Wolf says he’s willing to compromise on severance tax Speaking in Western Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf said Monday he would be “willing to have conversations” about compromises on the 5 percent severance tax on natural gas he’s proposed to balance the state budget. “I want a better Pennsylvania. If I’m convinced we can have a... - STATE IMPACT

Gov. Tom Wolf says bad budgeting is costing Pennsylvania $170M a year HARRISBURG >> Gov. Tom Wolf is warning that bad state budgeting is costing taxpayers about $170 million a year... - AP

Photos: Vereb and Republican Representatives hold Press Conference on Budget at MontCo Courthouse Mike Vereb headed a group of Republican leaders who gave a press conference on the Montgomery County Courthouse about the state budget. Monday, July 20. Representative Kate Harper holds up one of the mailers that her district received. Monday, July 20. Adrianna Hoff—The Times Herald.... - Norristown Times Herald

State shutdown could come slowly July 19 Pennsylvania might be nearly three weeks into a budget impasse, but state employees can look on the bright side: At least they’re still getting paychecks. Gov. more »» - Altoona Mirror

State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski: Urge state Republican leaders to negotiate budget based on the people’s priorities It has been more than two weeks since Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a Republican budget bill. With little progress since then, now is a good time to take a step back and look at Gov. Wolf’s original budget plan and why he proposed it. Even before he was elected, the governor spent a tremendous amount of time... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Compromise begins with a tax on gas drillers By STATE REPS. TINA DAVIS and JOHN T. GALLOWAY Pennsylvania’s credit rating has been downgraded five times with Republicans in complete control. The commonwealth is now among the least credit-worthy states in the nation. Pennsylvania ranks near the very bottom in job creation.... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Lt. Gov. Mike Stack talks budget stalemate with Reading Eagle Wearing a bright, royal blue suit, Mike Stack sat on a cushy, black chair behind a long conference table Monday afternoon. In town for >>>>Continue Reading Eagle: Susan L. Angstadt | Lt. Gov. Mike Stack said his still hopeful about the state budget impasse during a... - Reading Eagle

Republicans to Wolf: Call off the attack ads As Pennsylvania entered its third week without a budget, Gov. Wolf and the Republicans whose support he needs to pass a spending plan were hundreds of miles apart - and not just figuratively. Wolf spent the day Monday touting his plan in Western Pennsylvania, while... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Head Start program canceled because of state budget impasse The state budget impasse has caused the Head Start kindergarten transition program in Armstrong County to be canceled because of a lack of funding. “There's no money to pay our teachers, order materials, books or buy food,” said Head Start Director Betsy Crytzer of the Armstrong County... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The costs of budget stalemate survival Local state congressmen say the budget deadlock in Harrisburg is not likely to be resolved by the end of the month, leaving many human service agencies and school districts that rely on state funding financially vulnerable. By Mike Tony - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Wolf, Pa. GOP to resume meetings as budget stalemate hits three weeks The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has returned to Harrisburg as Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican lawmakers were set to resume face-to-face meetings to discuss a three-week-old budget stalemate... - AP

Day 21: Politics no excuse to further delay Pa. budget THE ISSUE Some Republicans in the House and Senate are calling on their leaders to stick with what’s known as the “majority of the majority” rule, under which no budget agreement could go to the floor for a vote unless it had majority support among Republicans in that chamber. The unwritten rule... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Is state budget impasse affecting you? Share your story Pennsylvania is about to enter its third week of operating without a state budget. The lack of progress made to date on ending this stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP-controlled General Assembly suggests this budget fight isn't going to be over anytime soon.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 20 Budget Messaging War: Helping Or Hurting? Harrisburg, Pa. (CBS) — A prominent political analyst believes the campaign-style tactics being used on the airwaves and in print during Pennsylvania’s two-and-half week old budget stalemate may not only complicate efforts to get a budget done, but it may have consequences that... - KYW News Radio 1060

Block grant budget submitted HONESDALE – The Human Services Department has submitted its narrative and budget plan for the block grant for fiscal year 2015-16. Andrea Whyte, Human Services Administrator, spoke to the Wayne County Commissioners regarding the Human Services Block Grant.... - Honesdale Wayne Independent

Governor defends proposals at city school Gov. Tom Wolf, during a visit to the Williamsport Area Middle School on Thursday, defended his ambitious state budget proposal that includes a new tax on the gas industry and increases the state's sales tax and its personal income tax. He argued those new sources of revenue could go to... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Harrisburg is ignoring the biggest budget buster July 19 Pop quiz: What’s the largest spending increase in Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposal? You might assume education, as the governor has repeatedly insisted the state must reinvest in public schools. more »» By ERIK RANDOLPH , Williamsport Sun-Gazette... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

More than $3M at stake for local schools in Pa. budget brawl With the budget impasse grinding on in Harrisburg for a third week, area residents may wonder what’s at stake in the debate surrounding schools funding. The answer is more than $3 million — and that’s just the beginning. According to a Mercury analysis, $3 million in basic education funding to... - Pottstown Mercury

COLUMN: Local state rep. asks: How much new spending is enough for Gov. Wolf? By Republican state Rep. Brad Roae We recently passed a $30 billion no tax increase budget in the House and Senate that increased spending by about $1 billion over last year’s budget. It was a 3.6 percent increase over the prior year’s budget. Basic education, special education, Prekindergarten and Head Start received... - Meadville Tribune

House returns to budget impasse HARRISBURG — The House returns to session Tuesday as the stalemate over the state budget starts to resemble trench warfare. Because of that, no one expects the presence of House lawmakers at the Capitol will produce a bipartisan budget deal. Lawmakers plan to vote on some routine bills that are nearing passage.... - Scranton Times

2015 Pennsylvania budget impasse: News, information Pennsylvania's new fiscal year started July 1 without a spending plan in place after Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the entire budget bill passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. Republican legislative leaders had unveiled a $30.18 billion budget June 26. The bill was passed by the state House the next day, and the state... - York Daily

Erik Randolph | Harrisburg ignoring biggest budget buster By Erik Randolph www.commonwealthfoundation.org | Posted: Sunday, July 19 12:15 am Erik Randolph Pop quiz: What’s the largest spending increase in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal? You might assume education, as the governor has repeatedly insisted the state must reinvest in public schools. Paying for ballooning... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

July 19 GOP 'majority of majority' rule could test any budget deal In one of Pennsylvania's defining legislative battles this century, then-Gov. Ed Rendell won passage of a $1 billion tax package, and it still nags some Republicans that their leaders worked with Democrats to make it law, despite opposition from most members of the GOP's legislative... - AP

Services, programs could be affected by Pennsylvania budget impasse Nineteen days into the start of the new fiscal year, Pennsylvania still does not have a new state budget. And there's no immediate signs of a breakthrough in the stalemate between the GOP- controlled Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. But if the dispute drags on much longer, the money that flows from... - Erie Times-News

Put kids first, not gas companies Thaddeus Stevens is spinning in his grave. The venerable Pennsylvania Republican, portrayed so vividly in the movie “Lincoln” by Tommy Lee Jones, was a man ahead of his time. He helped establish tax-financed public education in our commonwealth — a massive expansion of government at a time when many believed government had... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Guest Editorial: The governor of 'no' It’s been more than two weeks since Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the balanced, no-tax-hike budget passed by the House and Senate, and not much has changed. After vetoing the budget, the governor locked in the status quo by vetoing not only the new Fiscal and Public School Codes (including the bipartisan... - Carlisle Sentinel

Budget talks going nowhere It's mid-July, and we're no closer to the governor and state Legislature agreeing on a budget than we were in mid-June ... or mid-May, or mid-April, or mid-whenever. In fact, the battle over the state budget has turned into an election-style campaign pitting the Republican-controlled Legislature against Democratic... - Beaver County Times

Area legislators support movement on property tax elimination proposal Sponsors of a proposal to eliminate school property taxes in Pennsylvania are feeling more optimistic than ever before about its chances for passage. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Service providers brace for lengthy Pennsylvania budget battle As the Pennsylvania budget impasse wears on, human service providers are preparing to feel the pinch. While payments for certain social services — including entitlement programs such as food stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid — can continue without the approval of new state spending, those for most... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A state budget impasse jeopardizes services for Pennsylvanians in need I am deeply concerned about the inability of the Pennsylvania Legislature and the governor to pass and sign a budget by the end of the fiscal year. The impact of delaying an approved budget will have dire consequences on human service agencies throughout the region.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Rep. Aaron Kaufer: Abandon ‘spin doctors’ and begin real budget negotiations in Harrisburg There is a time and a place for politics, but now is the time to govern. Recently, a special interest group out of Washington, D.C., America Works USA, started airing television commercials and sending out statewide mailers in a blatant attempt to politicize the budget process in... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Wolf, GOP leaders to resume budget talks Tuesday Budget negotiations between Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders from the Republican majorities in the Legislature will resume Tuesday under the threat of a potentially disruptive impasse. At the private meeting, House and Senate leaders plan to go over the line items that were part of Republican-backed budget that Wolf vetoed last... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf campaign asks Pennsylvanians to call lawmakers about budget impasse Claiming Republican legislative leaders have refused to negotiate in a meaningful way, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's campaign sent emails to Pennsylvanians this week asking them to call GOP leaders to express their displeasure. “I will do what Pennsylvanians elected me to do: restore funding for... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

End it now OK. We get it. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republicans, who control the state Legislature, are hopelessly deadlocked over the state’s budget. They disagree on just about everything. Wolf wants to put a severance tax on the Marcellus shale industry, using the money to pay for improvements to... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Wolf critic: Public being misled on projected use of shale tax money The Wolf administration and its allies are misleading the public by implying a proposed severance tax on natural gas would exclusively fund education, the president of an industry group said Friday. In a letter to the Marcellus Shale Coalition board, obtained by the... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

July 17 Gov. Wolf praises mayors, pitches spending plan Despite himself being 16 days into a bitter budget impasse, Gov. Tom Wolf told a roomful of mayors he still believes their jobs are among the most difficult in the commonwealth. "And I think we have made it especially tough in Pennsylvania," Wolf told members of the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association gathered for their... - Allentown Morning Call

Pro-Wolf budget mailers target GOP legislators Local Republican legislators are bristling at some recent mailers to their constituents that bash them for opposing Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget. Two of them, though, said the mailers -- paid for by the America Works USA political-action committee, an offshoot of the Democratic Governor’s... - Beaver County Times

Bucks lawmaker tries solitary path to a budget deal HARRISBURG - With budget negotiations between Gov. Wolf and GOP leaders grinding to a halt, a Republican legislator from Bucks County stood inside the largely deserted Capitol on Thursday with a compromise plan. Rep. Gene DiGirolamo said that negotiators had become entrenched, and that... - Philadelphia Inquirer

GOP lawmaker proposes income tax increase, severance tax to break impasse HARRISBURG — Saying it's time to break the impasse, a Republican lawmaker on Thursday offered a budget package that he claimed would meet Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP leaders halfway in the 17th day of a stalemate. “I think it needs to stop,” said Rep. Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

GOP lawmaker proposes income tax increase, severance tax to break impasse HARRISBURG — Saying it's time to break the impasse, a Republican lawmaker on Thursday offered a budget package that he claimed would meet Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and GOP leaders halfway in the 17th day of a stalemate. “I think it needs to stop,” said Rep. Gene DiGirolamo of Bucks... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

July 16 Pennsylvania's history of blown budget deadlines Pennsylvania's history of blown budget deadlines While Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of the Republican- crafted budget may have been historic, his ongoing budget battle and missed deadline to pass a budget is nothing new in Pennsylvania. Former Gov. Tom Corbett, a Republican, missed his budget deadline by a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

No breakthrough as Wolf, Republicans meet Pennsylvania's Democratic governor and leaders of the Republican majorities in the Legislature say they didn't make any breakthroughs in negotiations during a meeting to address the state's 13-day- old budget standoff. Gov. Tom Wolf told reporters after the Monday afternoon closed-door session... - Oil City Derrick

Wolf proposes property tax cuts, increase in education funding BELLEFONTE — If Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal is passed by state lawmakers, Centre County school districts could see more money in their budgets in the coming year. Wolf spoke July 13 at Bellefonte Area High School, addressing community members about his new budget proposal.... - State College News

Time for politicians to work together The June 30 deadline has passed and there is no state budget because one that was proposed on partisan lines was vetoed. Also, a pension reform plan that was proposed along partisan lines was vetoed. Partisan politics is alive and well in Pennsylvania and one has to... - Beaver County Times

House lawmaker floats 'middle-of-the-road' budget proposal A Republican lawmaker from southeastern Pennsylvania with a record of taking on his party's leaders unveiled a "middle-of-the-road" plan Thursday to break a two-week-old partisan budget stalemate and keep money flowing to the state's social services safety net... - AP

OP-ED: Vetoed budget strengthens drug and alcohol abuse programs As we enter into the third week of Gov. Tom Wolf's shutdown, Pennsylvanians are beginning to feel the impact of the governor's hasty decision to veto the entire budget. On June 30 Republicans placed on the governor's desk a budget that was not only on time, but did not raise taxes. Contained within our budget was... - York Dispatch

Harrisburg ignoring the biggest budget buster By Erik Randolph Pop quiz: What’s the largest spending increase in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal? You might assume education, as the governor has repeatedly insisted the state must reinvest in public schools. Paying for ballooning public pension costs would also be a reasonable guess.... - Levittown Intelligencer

Wolf's taxing budget The 2015-16 fiscal year is officially underway, and with no state spending plan in place, it seems as if we are reverting to the old days of budget impasses and standoffs. Despite the General Assembly meeting its constitutional obligation of getting a budget to the governor's desk by the June 30 deadline — a... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Still waiting, Harrisburg, for a Pennsylvania budget and school tax relief THE ISSUE Fourteen of 17 Lancaster County school boards voted to raise property tax rates for 2015- 16. The tax increases range from 1 percent in the Hempfield and Manheim Central school districts to 4 percent in Elizabethtown. An average property tax increase of 1.7 percent in Lancaster County may not... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Letter to the Editor: Republicans in Harrisburg get it right on Pa.’s budget To the Times: The 2015-16 fiscal year is officially underway and with no state spending plan in place, it seems as if we are reverting back to the old days of budget impasses and standoffs. Despite the General Assembly meeting its constitutional obligation of getting a budget to the governor’s desk by... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

No new budget negotiations with Gov. Tom Wolf, says spokesman Gov. Tom Wolf's Spokesman Jeff Sheridan said there's nothing new to report on Thursday regarding ongoing budget negotiations. The governor was scheduled to have a press conference on education funding in Williamsport Thursday afternoon and then deliver remarks at the mayor's... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 15 Pa. leaders must adhere to budget deadline Again June 30 came and went and no budget for Pennsylvania. Republicans and Democrats play the blame game while school districts and numerous agencies funded by the commonwealth wait to determine how much money they will receive. May I suggest that if Pennsylvania does not have a budget by June 30 each... - Allentown Morning Call

Making the case for funding high-quality child care in Pa. TED DALLAS | Columnist In Pennsylvania, approximately 60 percent of children under age 6 need some form of child care. But for many working-class families, the cost of consistent, quality child care is out of reach. This lack of affordable and trustworthy child care options doesn’t just... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Deficit must be fixed When it comes to a state budget, reasonable people can disagree on a wide range of subjects, especially revenue sources and spending priorities. However, one fact should be clear: Pennsylvania’s budget has a systemic shortfall – a structural deficit – exceeding $1 billion.... - Washington Observer- Reporter

Senate Republican leader isn’t ruling out gas tax Governor Tom Wolf and state lawmakers are still at an impasse over the budget. Now, three weeks into the new fiscal year, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman is signaling he may be open to one of Wolf’s top priorities– a new tax on gas drillers. Corman (R- Centre) tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he won’t rule... - STATE IMPACT

Pennsylvania citizens deserve a worthwhile state budget As the summer months pass and fall is in sight, one thing stands out as a distressing harbinger for the future: the seeming lack of motivation and progress in getting a new budget passed for the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Let’s be honest — the budget produced by the Legislature was a bit... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Harrisburg Republicans blamed for education cuts It’s amusing to read and listen to state legislators trying to justify the recently proposed Republican budget, citing a $370 million increase to education without a tax increase, stating that they are voting the way the people want who elected them. I beg to differ with that. Gov. Wolf defeated incumbent Gov. Corbett by a... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

July 14 Pennsylvania budget deadlock approaching 3rd week with no talks planned HARRISBURG >> No negotiations between the Wolf administration and leaders of the Legislature’S Republican majority are scheduled as Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate approaches its third week... - AP

Disability rights advocates fear they're being forgotten in budget talks In the past several years, state money for services for people with disabilities has been kept relatively

level, even as the demand for services has grown. State budget negotiations are still playing out in Harrisburg, but advocates for people with disabilities are worried that they are being... - Somerset Daily

Gov. Wolf blamed for budget impasse State Sen. Pat Stefano On June 30th, the state Legislature fulfilled its constitutional obligation to produce a budget for the commonwealth. We spent months trying to impress upon Gov. Wolf that his $4.5 billion tax increase had no support in the Legislature. When his exact tax plan was... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Wolf, GOP Leaders Continue to Wrangle Over Budget In some ways, the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf are no closer to a budget agreement than when the governor first unveiled his spending plan in early March. Since then, the governor has vetoed a $30 billion Republican plan and is... - The Legal Intelligencer

Pa. might be the last to reach a budget deal HARRISBURG - Going on two weeks without a budget - and with no end in sight to the stalemate - Pennsylvania could become the last state in the nation to compromise on a new spending plan. As of Friday, the commonwealth was one of five states required to pass a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Government that isn't working If you're having a hard time getting excited about the state budget impasse, you're not alone. For most people, it is little more than an esoteric debate driven by politics and people unaffected by the outcome. In fact, nobody has yet felt the impact — in a personal way — of... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Pennsylvania budget impasse drowns out property tax relief conversation By Andrew Staub | PA Independent Finding a way to give Pennsylvania homeowners relief from their school property taxes is hard enough on its own, but doing it during a budget impasse that’s lurched two weeks into July is even more difficult. While there’s some consensus on how to shift billions of dollars of... - PA Independent

Pennsylvania budget impasse delays efforts to create state prescription drug database Efforts to create the tool most sought by state leaders to fight prescription painkiller and heroin abuse have been jammed by the budget >>> >Continue The new prescription drug monitoring program is in both budgets that Gov. Wolf and state Republicans have proposed.... - Reading Eagle

Pa. Budget Talks Remain Stuck In Neutral HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — As Pennsylvania nears the end of its second week without a budget, “posturing” and “acrimony” were words used after a meeting between Democratic Governor Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders late Monday afternoon. While the participants put on a brave face, there was little indication of... - KYW News Radio 1060

July 13 Veto override tough proposition for GOP as Pa. budget impasse drags on HARRISBURG — If a state budget impasse continues, conservative Democrats eventually will be willing to join Republicans and override Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of a no-tax-hike budget, House Speaker Mike Turzai predicts. In an interview with the Tribune-Review, the Marshall Republican said he... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

EDITORIAL: Compromise is the only way to agree on Pa. budget Tom Wolf stormed into the governor’s mansion vowing to be a different kind of governor. Well, if you’re comparing him to his predecessor, Republican Tom Corbett, he’s been good to his word. That’s not necessarily a good thing. Regardless of what else you think about Corbett, one thing he did manage to... - Pottstown Mercury

Editorial: Pension, liquor privatization bills get belated GOP support Although we acknowledge there were other factors at work - most notably a larger Republican

legislative majority and new people in leadership positions - there's no doubt GOP lawmakers felt more comfortable passing legislation they knew wouldn't become law. The Associated Press | As Republicans in the Legislature knew before they... - Reading Eagle

State budget spat comes back to drilling tax Almost two weeks after Gov. Tom Wolf rejected the spending plan approved by the Legislature, the two sides are hardening in their positions. Negotiations keep coming back to one, thorny issue — a new tax on gas drillers. And at last one local official, voicing a concern that is undoubtedly... - New Castle News

Letter to the Editor: Human services, drug programs need funding To the Times: Last month, a report from the Pennsylvania Coroners Association reported that at least seven Pennsylvanians are dying every day from drug overdoses. The number of deaths from drug overdoses now surpasses car accident-related deaths in Pennsylvania and 35 other states.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Budget stalemate hurts PA July 12 Twelve days into Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year, the prospects of having an approved 2015-16 state budget in place anytime soon appear no closer than when Gov. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Budget stalemate hurts PA July 12 Twelve days into Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year, the prospects of having an approved 2015-16 state budget in place anytime soon appear no closer than when Gov. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Budget impasse puts social services in bind HARRISBURG – With the state budget more than a week overdue, many on the front lines of government and social programs are scrambling to figure out how to pay their bills when the state isn’t. Many programs, funded by federal dollars, will continue to function whether... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

To get a #PaBudget deal - go for what you need, not what you want: Tony May By Tony May How do you resolve the current budget stalemate now that we are a week and a half into the new fiscal year without a legal state spending plan? TONY MAY HEADSHOT ART.jpegTony May (PennLive File)PennLive.com file Quick. Take a yellow legal pad and draw a vertical line dividing the sheet... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. might be the last to reach a budget deal HARRISBURG - Going on two weeks without a budget - and with no end in sight to the stalemate - Pennsylvania could become the last state in the nation to compromise on a new spending plan. As of Friday, the commonwealth was one of five states required to pass a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Senate returns as budget impasse continues HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania senators return to session today as the state budget stalemate enters a third week with no end in sight. Pennsylvania has lacked full authority to spend money since the new fiscal year started July 1 without a bipartisan budget deal.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Gov. Wolf has compromised - your turn Republicans: Kevin J. Schreiber By Kevin J. Schreiber Gov. Tom Wolf's original budget proposal promised real action on longstanding policy problems that politicians from both parties had long given lip service without action, and for which Pennsylvanians across the political spectrum had long been asking.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 12 Wolf, shale industry do battle over proposed severance tax The shale gas industry and allies of Gov. Wolf ratcheted up rhetoric this week over a key component of the state's stalemated budget debate: Imposition of a severance tax on natural gas production. The Marcellus Shale Coalition says the proposed tax is the harshest in a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

To get a #PaBudget deal - go for what you need, not what you want: Tony May By Tony May How do you resolve the current budget stalemate now that we are a week and a half into the new fiscal year without a legal state spending plan?The liquor bill was opposed by most alcohol industry groups for one reason or another and would have phased in over the next decade or so.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. medical marijuana bill is within reach | Editorial The state budget standoff between Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders is likely to roll on through the summer, given their differences over education funding, a shale-gas tax, public pensions, property tax reform, liquor privatization.... - Easton Express-Times

In Focus: Negotiating — not political posturing — needed to keep state government operating The ink on Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of the proposed Republican 2015-16 budget is barely dry. Yet it has become clear that the budget fight in Harrisburg not only won’t be over soon, it’s going to be a real battle. Passage of a spending plan has become the vehicle for this latest war... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Wolf: 'Honest' deficit solutions needed Gov. Wolf said Friday that he would listen to ways to wipe out a long-term deficit and increase education aid without raising sales or income taxes, but insisted that the deficit be addressed honestly and without "smoke and mirrors." Wolf said budget-makers must be honest about a long-term deficit that has... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Wolf to budget supporters: 'I need your help' Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf came calling Friday in South Whitehall Township, selling his proposed state budget and asking for help. "I need your help. This is a democracy, this is a shared responsibility," Wolf said in the parking lot outside Cetronia Elementary School, home of... - Easton Express-Times

In budget impasse, taxes still the issue Pennsylvania's nearly two-week budget impasse comes down to one word: Taxes. Throughout negotiations, Democratic Gov. Wolf has uttered the dreaded T-word that Republicans who control the legislature have studiously spent the last four years avoiding. Personal income taxes. Sales taxes. Cigarette taxes. Bank shares taxes. A... - Philadelphia Inquirer

At Pennsylvania Capitol, question is when money will run out As a budget impasse between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature stretches on, everyone in the state Capitol is asking this question: When will the Legislature run out of money ? With a new fiscal year having started July 1, and no signed state budget,... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Study ranks state's fiscal condition at low end Pennsylvania ranks low among the 50 states in terms of its fiscal health, according to a new study by the Mercatus Center, a conservative think tank at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia The Keystone State ranks 41st overall based on such factors as the amount... - Scranton Times

Amid criticism, Wolf, Republicans offer hints of compromise on budget On the 10th day of the state's budget impasse, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf visited a South Whitehall elementary school to drum up support for his $33.8 billion spending plan that would increase education funding and reduce local property taxes by raising a host of state taxes by a... - Allentown Morning Call

July 10 Another day, another setback for Pennsylvania's budget talks Gov. Tom Wolf's veto of the Republican-backed pension reform proposal was celebrated by public sector union leaders Thursday as a victory for middle class workers. But as far as the state's faltering budget talks go, it had the short-term effect of blockading the door to compromise with another piece of heavy... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf refuses to compromise with Republicans In his 2015 budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf urged dissenters, “If you don’t agree with my ideas, here is my request: please come with your own ideas. It's not good enough to just say no and continue with the same old same old.” Talk is one thing—action is another.... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Adolph: Guv’s veto withholds $13B from service providers HARRISBURG>> State Rep. Bill Adolph responded Thursday to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget veto, saying it potentially withholds $13 billion from state agencies and government service providers. “Gov. Wolf’s veto was an overreaching knee-jerk reaction that unnecessarily withholds billions from service providers,” Adolph,... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Budget impasse leaves Armstrong programs for needy struggling Programs that help the needy in Armstrong County have become victims of the state budget impasse. “As of July 1, when the impasse started, we do not have any money available for our homeless assistance program. We are also very concerned for our food bank,” said Kenneth Heilman, executive director of... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

In Harrisburg, it's a start Baer Growls HEY, KIDS, guess what? State leaders in Harrisburg have reached agreement on a few things. Not, of course, on liquor or pensions or a shale tax or any taxing or spending or education dollars or a new (now more than a week late) budget because, you know, in Harrisburg, a/k/a the Island of Misfit Toys, there... - Philadelphia Daily News

Letter: Republicans spin numbers on Pa. budget Harrisburg always produces political spin when the state budget is negotiated. While both sides are guilty, Republicans lead the league right now for propaganda blather about property-tax reduction. When controlling all the branches of state government, the Republicans produced nothing but... - Pocono Record

Berks commissioners brace for impact of Pa. budget impasse READING >> More than a week into the state budget impasse, Berks County government officials are beginning to consider the impact a prolonged stalemate would have on county agencies. If a new state budget is not passed by the end of August or early Spetember, the county will have to start cutting human services, said... - Pottstown Mercury

Wolf willing to explore sales, income tax hike alternatives HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf says he'll listen to ways to wipe out a long-term deficit and increase education aid without raising sales or income taxes, which Republicans oppose... - AP

Editorial: Self-interest drives legislators on budget State legislators deserve a whack alongside the head for fiscal irresponsibility and colossal self- serving. Top Republican legislative leaders met with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this week over the budget impasse, but there’s no sign the... - Pocono Record

Letter: Budget priorities When Pennsylvania voters elected Governor Tom Wolf last November, they put their faith in someone they knew would fight for public education — reverse the damaging cuts made to schools over the last four years, and invest in every level, from pre-k to college. That's exactly what Governor... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Gov. Wolf compromises, GOP won't (letter) In his budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf told Republicans and Democrats alike to bring him different ideas and he would listen. But, he also said that simply saying no is not an option. In an effort to hear from Republican leaders and members, the governor made outreach a priority. He went above and beyond. The governor put on his... - York Daily

Gov. Tom Wolf says Republican budget made him 'sad' for public schools Pennsylvanians have a choice, said Gov. Tom Wolf in a visit to Hambright Elementary School in Manor

Township on Thursday. “That choice involves investing adequately and fairly in our public education system, or not doing that.” Wolf promoted his school funding proposal to Penn Manor School District... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve better By Kerry Benninghoff The hard truth is that Pennsylvania is in an unnecessary budget stalemate because Gov. Tom Wolf has chosen politics over governing. The governor recently vetoed a responsible spending plan, withholding billions of dollars in undisputed state and federal funds from day care... - State College Centre Daily Times

July 9 Wolf confirms that he will veto public pension bill HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf is saying he will veto a Republican bill to overhaul Pennsylvania's public pensions... - AP

Air war over Pennsylvania budget standoff to hit TV screens HARRISBURG, Pa. — The air war over Gov. Tom Wolf's week-old budget standoff with Republicans who control the Pennsylvania Legislature expanded Wednesday with the launch of a TV ad by a national Democratic group... - AP

Wolf’s veto puts hold on school funds Reimbursement for construction projects at eight school districts in Schuylkill County are on hold due to the governor’s recent budget veto. “The reimbursements are dedicated to new school construction or improvements of existing facilities,” Sen. David Argall, R-29, said in... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Road warrior: Wolf takes budget fight to Chesco The message was familiar, but the turf was different. And to hear Gov. Wolf tell it, that's because the legislature's Republican majority - which has so far rejected many of Wolf's budget priorities - are divorced from life outside the Capitol. "I want to be where reality actually is," he said during an afternoon news... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Quiet day in the Pennsylvania budget siege Week Two of the Pennsylvania budget stalemate opened with a relatively quiet day on the front lines. Gov. Tom Wolf was in Downingtown for part of his Wednesday, resuming a publicity tour for his $31.6 billion general fund budget proposal that had been suspended as the now-passed July 1 budget deadline approached.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's budget veto necessary: Letters to the editor Since taking office, Gov. Tom Wolf has visited more than 30 schools throughout the commonwealth to meet with students, teachers and administrators to talk about his proposed budget that makes historic investments in education at all levels and will improve the way our... - Erie Times-News

With labor-funded $500k ad buy, #PaBudget fight turns into battle for hearts and minds: John L. Micek Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. As Budget Impasse 2015 drags into its second week, legislative Republicans have no shortage of gripes with the Democratic Wolf administration. But if there's one grievance that's floating to the top, it's this one: Seven months into his first term, they'll kvell you, Gov. Tom Wolf is... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Waiting on a state budget Pennsylvania Pennsylvania began the fiscal year on July 1 without an enacted state budget. It was not for lack of trying. House and Senate Republican lawmakers crafted a $30.2 billion plan that Gov. Tom Wolf quickly vetoed. Five other states also entered their new fiscal year on July 1 without an... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Politics of Pennsylvania's budget impasse heating up Wednesday marked the first full week of Pennsylvania's budget impasse. Still, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature do not appear any closer to compromising on their

respective financial and policy differences to reach a mutual accord on a 2015-16 spending plan.... - Allentown Morning Call

Fast-tracking the state budget I know how to get this done weeks in advance. No budget.No pay. Take away cars, credit cards and make our state’s elected officials pay for all of their expenses: traveling to Harrisburg, meals and lodging. As we all know, we have a big problem in Harrisburg. Year after year... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pa. Republicans are staying a budget course that's going in the wrong direction: Mark Price By Mark Price The Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House and Senate finally gave Tom in the governor's office everything he wanted in a budget, including pension "reform." MARK PRICE HEADSHOT ART.jpgMark Price Unfortunately, they are a year too late. The budget they sent was perfect... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 8 Wolf attacks GOP budget, while senator pins stalemate on him Gov. Tom Wolf stood behind his demand for a new state budget, while a top Republican lawmaker on Tuesday said the week-old stalemate will last as long as Wolf insists on an income and sales tax increase to prop up state spending... - AP

It is time for Republicans to work with Wolf Editor: Recently, when the Wolf administration called a meeting with Republican leaders to discuss a severance tax on natural gas in good faith, I put three major concessions on the table in hopes of finding common-ground and compromise. Upon exiting the meeting, the Senate president said, “Our... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Impasse in Pa. budget talks? This meets Sen. Jake Corman's test It takes 102 House members, 26 Senators and one governor to ratify a budget deal, but it only takes just one of the above to declare an impasse. And Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, after his second meeting in two days with Gov. Tom Wolf on the delayed state budget, went there Tuesday... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The Latest: Senator says sales, income tax hikes won't fly HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The latest news from discussions between Gov. Tom Wolf and top Pennsylvania lawmakers about a week-old budget impasse (all times local):.. - AP

Holding pattern Harrisburg's budget impasse isn't just a partisan staring contest threatening to hobble the commonwealth and those who count on it. There are principles at stake. Unfortunately, they include the principles that fossil fuels should be tax-free and the government should own all the liquor stores.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

GOP leader: Pa. budget impasse could last 'a while' HARRISBURG - If Gov. Wolf continues to insist on raising taxes as part of any state budget deal, "we're going to be here for a while," a top Republican warned Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) made the prediction after emerging from a brief closed-door meeting with the governor.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The #PaBudget is among the priciest in the nation, study finds Gov. Tom Wolf met with Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, on Tuesday afternoon as the two sides worked toward a resolution of the state's week-old budget stand-off. The two sides broke without reaching any settlement, leading Corman to conclude that it's going to be a long summer.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lack of support in Pennsylvania budget for those with special needs is 'appalling': PennLive letters Of 14,000 people with intellectual disabilities waiting for state funding, the House and Senate- approved budget includes funding for just 130 to move off that waiting list. Dauphin County alone has

285 people. As a board member of The Arc of Dauphin County and a former special... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf attacks GOP budget HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf stood behind his demand for a new state budget, while a top Republican lawmaker on Tuesday said the week-old stalemate will last as long as Wolf insists on an income and sales tax increase to prop up state spending... - AP

Delusional politicians misinterpret polls Have politicians gone from being slaves to polling data to refusing to believe what the polls are trying to tell them? Two developments make me ask that question. First, there’s New Jersey Gov. Christie’s comical rationalization of poll numbers that show residents of his home... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Broad-based tax increases off-limits, GOP leaders tell Gov. Wolf HARRISBURG — Republican leaders are drawing “a bright line” in budget negotiations with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, declaring broad-based tax increases off-limits, a top senator said Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre County, said GOP leaders... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

July 7 Quiet Capitol gives no hope for quick Pennsylvania budget agreement HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania government's first full week without a state budget began quietly Monday, with no crush of activity in the Capitol aimed at ending the partisan stalemate and no results from a meeting between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and two top Republican lawmakers... - AP

State Rep. Harkins: "there's got to be compromise" in state budget talks Gov. Tom Wolf and state legislative leaders -- both Republican and Democrat -- are now negotiating to end Pennsylvania's budget stalemate. While both sides know compromise must happen to avoid a government shutdown, one local legislator said he believes it could be weeks before... - Erie Times- News

End the budget impasse It’s been almost a week since the new fiscal year got under way in Pennsylvania, and there’s no budget that’s emerged from Harrisburg. This should surprise no one. Republicans strengthened their majorities in the state House and Senate last year, and they believe they have the clout... - Washington Observer-Reporter

An easy ‘no’ vote for bad budget By State Rep. Madeleine Dean On March 3 this year, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a budget to take bold steps to get Pennsylvania moving in the right direction with significant changes to education funding, the minimum wage and new tax structures to create a balanced and sustainable budget.... - Levittown Intelligencer

Act II in Pennsylvania Budget Theatre opens, quietly Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican legislative leaders resumed their on-again, off-again talks on Pennsylvania's delayed state budget Monday. While there was plenty of action, it was hard to see any discernible progress. Wolf, a Democrat, vetoed a $30.2 billion, Republican-authored and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf Attacks GOP Budget, Says Finances Must Be Put In Order HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf isn’t backing off his demand for a new state budget after vetoing a $30.2 billion document passed solely by Republican state lawmakers... - AP

Look for a long, hot budget summer in Pa. | Your comments Last week Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a $30.2 billion budget submitted to him by the Republican-controlled Legislature, and it appears that they disagree on ... everything. That includes raising taxes, using the new revenue for education and property tax relief, liquor privatization. The... - Easton Express-Times

Republicans criticize Gov. Wolf veto of spending plan Harrisburg, Pa The political drama in Harrisburg is beginning to escalate. TODAY'S SPONSOR: Republican leaders in the state Legislature sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday, calling his decision to veto their $30.2 billion spending plan a move that put politics above governing.... - Reading Eagle

Gov. Wolf and Republican leaders no closer to ending budget stalemate HARRISBURG — As the budget impasse enters its first week, Gov. Tom Wolf met with at least two Republican leaders Monday while staff-level meetings were also held in hopes of finding a compromise. Jenn Kocher, spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre,... - Allentown Morning Call

July 6 Keller: Budget contained record school spending MIFFLINBURG — Any notion that state government would have a 2015-16 budget in place by the July 1 start of the fiscal year met with an obstacle Tuesday night. Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed all of a spending plan crafted by a legislature dominated by an opposing party.... - Milton Standard

OP-ED: Pa.'s GOP lawmakers want to stay a course that's not working Last weekend the Republican majority in the Pennsylvania House and Senate finally gave Tom in the governor's office everything he wanted in a budget, including pension "reform." Unfortunately, they are a year too late. The budget they sent was perfect for last year's Tom — Gov. Tom... - York Dispatch

Analysts: Long PA Budget Stalemate Likely Harrisburg, Pa. (CBS) — As Pennsylvania nears the end of its first week without a spending plan, budget talks are to resume today, but only at the staff level, not between legislative leaders and the governor himself. All signs point to a longer rather than shorter budget standoff.... - KYW News Radio 1060

Pennsylvania budget stalemate draws comment from across the spectrum Although the flash and bang of the Fourth’s fireworks are no more than memories and the long holiday weekend is over, Harrisburg could be noisy place this week as budget talks are set to resume. The June 30 deadline passed without a new spending plan in place for the... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Susquehanna polling shows the facts - Pennsylvania voters have it 'right': PennLive letters Did you know that 49 percent of Pennsylvanians are registered Democratic voters, yet 64 percent identify as conservative? That was one of the interesting facts uncovered in a recent survey conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research. Polling interpreter John Micek writes that the survey is "good for a bit of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Same old ways in Harrisburg Pennsylvania has a new governor promising a change in direction but the old partisan ways of doing business in Harrisburg remain unchanged. Not that we expected anything different from a Democrat governor and a Republican legislature. So in keeping with that voter-produced conflict, Gov. Tom Wolf had by... - Levittown Intelligencer

State budget For the first time in decades, a Pennsylvania governor has vetoed a budget. Looking at it from Gov. Tom Wolf’s standpoint, he had no choice. Wolf proposed a budget with what some may say was a smorgasbord including state tax increases, more money for public schools and tax relief for property... - New Castle News

5 Questions: Stephen Bloom talks budget Beginning in 2010, Stephen Bloom took on the role of representing the citizens of North Middleton Township in the 199th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. While he never initially

saw himself running for office, he has taken it upon himself to use the opportunity to do the best that he can for the town... - Carlisle Sentinel

Montgomery County will continue to pay human services providers during budget impasse NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County will continue to pay its human service providers while Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislators debate Pennsylvania’s budget. “As of yesterday the commonwealth has lost its authority to spend funds and pay most of its bills and obligations,” Uri Monson, the... - Lansdale Reporter

State budget talks restart today HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s budget standoff is nearly a week old and the first substantive talks to resolve it are scheduled today. With state agencies operating and state employees getting paid through existing state tax revenue, there is little sense of a crisis atmosphere in... - Scranton Times

GOP's letter to Wolf criticizes budget veto Legislative and Wolf administration staff are meeting at the state Capitol this afternoon as state budget talks resume after the July 4 weekend. This afternoon, Republican legislative leaders delivered a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf criticizing his veto last Tuesday of their GOP-crafted budget.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Official: Montco to provide services despite Pa. budget impasse NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County will continue to pay its human service providers while Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislators debate Pennsylvania’s budget. “As of yesterday (July 1) the commonwealth has lost its authority to spend funds and pay most of its bills and obligations,” Uri Monson, the... - Pottstown Mercury

Budget impasse starts with sides far apart AFTER GOV. TOM WOLF ended days of marathon discussions by scuttling the Legislature’s budget, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle predicted an impasse that could drag on for weeks. The first-term governor, a Democrat, and Republicans who control the state House and Senate are deadlocked, not just on a budget, but on intractable... - Sharon Herald

July 5 No need for a budget meltdown in Harrisburg | Editorial Panicking? Who's panicking? Not Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, who shunned a line-item veto in rejecting the entire $30.2 billion budget presented to him by Republican legislative leaders last week. That was the Democratic governor's answer to the GOP ignoring his $33.8 billion budget plan.... - Easton Express-Times

Hey, Gov. Wolf - pass pension reform, don't raise taxes: Charlie Gerow By Charlie Gerow For the first time in nearly half a century a Pennsylvania governor has vetoed a balanced budget. By using his veto pen Gov. Tom Wolf has set the stage for a protracted stalemate. The 253 members of the General Assembly did their jobs. They passed a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Expectation of veto aided GOP's legislative wins, some say After three years of futility, Republicans finally used their majorities in Pennsylvania's state House and Senate to pass their top agenda items: ending the traditional pension benefit in the state's public employee retirement systems and privatizing its government-controlled wine and... - AP

Gov. Wolf’s budget addresses real problems Gov. Tom Wolf’s priorities are simple: fix the state’s structural deficit, bring property relief to homeowners and significantly restore education funding. I support Gov. Wolf’s full veto of the Republican budget plan that ignores those important points and is packed with folly... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Human service providers face crunch The stalemate between the General Assembly and Gov. Wolf, if not resolved quickly, could have long- lasting effects on health and human-services providers who protect individuals throughout the

commonwealth ("Wolf vetoes entire GOP budget," July 1). An extended budget impasse will reduce providers' ability to effectively... - Philadelphia Inquirer

July 3 Here's why I voted 'No' on a bad #Pabudget: Madeleine Dean By Madeleine Dean On March 3 of this year, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a budget to take bold steps to get Pennsylvania moving in the right direction with significant changes to education funding, minimum wage, and new tax structures to create a balanced and sustainable budget.... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Things quiet at the Capitol except for 'Fair Budget' rally About 60 SEIU Local 668 union members and families rallied outside the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce office in Harrisburg Thursday, then marched to the Capitol at lunchtime, July 2. Rally for increased school funding, shale tax and minimum wage Local... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Despite budget standoff, Pennsylvania residents will still get services — for now WILKES-BARRE — As far as the public is concerned, it’s business as usual for state operations — for now. Jeff Sheridan, Gov. Tom Wolf’s press secretary, said Thursday “government does not shut down” and state services will operate as usual for the time being, despite the 2015-16 budget impasse.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

July 2 State Sen. Judy Schwank explains disappointment with state budget bill State Sen. Judy Schwank is disappointed the budget crafted under Republican leadership in the General Assembly fails to eliminate school property taxes. And she wants to clarify a statement taken from a press release and published in Wednesday's edition of the Reading Eagle that she says did not... - Reading Eagle

Local effects of budget veto few in short term Local governments and social-service agencies can keep operating in the short term but face financial worries should a long legislative impasse result from Governor Tom Wolf's state budget veto on Tuesday. "Everything is going on just as it does normally. Nobody should panic,"... - Gettysburg Times

York County legislators aren't holding their breath for resolution to state budget impasse A new fiscal year has dawned in Pennsylvania, and no budget deal has been reached, or even seems particularly close. It comes down to two drastically different positions, say York County representatives: Gov. Tom Wolf wants to raise taxes and use the money to... - York Dispatch

Videos: Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Dave Reed on budget pain and legislators on standby Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Dave Reed talks to media after he and other House and Senate leaders met with Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday afternoon, July 1, at the state Capitol. Wolf met with the leaders after vetoing their legislative-passed state budget last night.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania budget reset: Happy Fourth and we'll see you next week Maybe it was the huge crowd of reporters and professional spin doctors crowded outside the meeting room like the proverbial barbarians at the gate, ready to dutifully capture any hint of anger or disgust. Maybe it was shared hope of some semblance of a Fourth of July holiday... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Impact of late state budget not lost on Wolf, lawmakers The impact of a late state budget on Pennsylvanians isn't lost on Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders. With Wolf's decision to veto the $30.2 billion GOP-backed budget on Tuesday, they acknowledged following a joint meeting on Wednesday it essentially begins to put state government in a shutdown mode.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Analyzing what's ahead in Pennsylvania budget stalemate HARRISBURG — The Capitol awoke Wednesday, a day removed from Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's

historic complete veto of a Republican-driven budget, and life went on as usual. There were no suspensions of service or workers' pay. There were no mass protests or pickets.... - Allentown Morning Call

Pa. budget talks to resume next week HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania will operate without a budget until at least until next week, when Gov. Wolf and Republican legislators are expected to return to the negotiating table. Wolf met briefly behind closed doors Wednesday with a scaled-down complement of legislative leaders, emerging to say that the sides will... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Rep. Bloom tired of Gov. Wolf's 'confrontational budget brinksmanship': PennLive letters During the past months, I worked hard to help craft a responsible, balanced, on-time state budget with no tax hikes – a plan that meets core needs, and raises our investment in education and critical services. Sadly, the governor announced his veto of the budget, refusing to see it... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 1 Beaver County senators weigh in on budget, controversial issues HARRISBURG -- Local senators praised the state Senate’s budget bill Tuesday while also giving other comments on controversial topics affecting the drilling industry and pensions. Newly elected Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-46, Carroll Township, criticized Gov. Tom Wolf sharply over a severance tax on the industry, and Elder Vogel... - Beaver County Times

Wolf seeks to restart talks after vetoing GOP’s budget bill HARRISBURG >> Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor is inviting legislative leaders to meet in his Capitol offices, a day after the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed a state budget he vetoed... - AP

Our Opinion: Budget by July 1? Rigid government deadlines less important than results Don’t expect us to join the public fury this month over a pair of missed deadlines. In Harrisburg and elsewhere, the yelps already have started regarding the possibility of a government shutdown later this summer because the General Assembly and governor have not yet reached agreement on a state budget, due... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Wolf: GOP budget DOA HARRISBURG – The state’s budget year came to a whirlwind end yesterday with lawmakers passing a $30.2 billion spending plan coupled with historic bids to dismantle the state’s liquor monopoly and overhaul its public pension. The Republican-controlled Legislature rammed home the package of ambitious... - New Castle News

Wolf veto message outlines reasons he rejected GOP's budget HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's veto message to state lawmakers says the budget they've just sent him doesn't spend enough on education and will make the state's deficit worse... - AP

GOP packs liquor, pension overhauls into budget; Wolf will veto bill HARRISBURG – The state’s budget year came to a whirlwind end Tuesday with lawmakers passing a $30.2 billion spending plan coupled with historic bids to dismantle the state’s liquor monopoly and overhaul its public pension. The Republican-controlled Legislature rammed home the package of ambitious... - Sunbury Daily Item

'This is the Governor's shutdown,' GOP spokesman says after Wolf veto: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. The gubernatorial budget veto has been issued, the toys have been thrown out of the pram, and we're officially into the first day of the rest of the budget cycle. And it started with a bang, via a phone call with House Republican... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Letter to the Editor: Pennsylvania first lady: Now is the time to act to fund state’s schools By Frances Wolf, Times Guest Columnist Since he was sworn in as governor in January, my husband

and I have been criss-crossing the state, visiting schools, meeting with teachers and administrators, and talking with students in the classroom. We have seen the same thing in school after school and classroom after... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Governor Wolf Vetoes Entire Pa. Budget HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — Pennsylvania will start the new budget year without a spending plan. For the first time in decades, the governor will veto the entire budget sent to his desk. As the state Senate gave final approval to the GOP-drafted spending plan, the top Republican in the Senate, Joe Scarnati, said he was proud of the... - KYW News Radio 1060

Pennsylvania governor vetoes entire Republican budget bill HARRISBURG, Pa. — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf made good on his threat and swiftly vetoed the Republican-crafted spending plan Tuesday night just hours after the GOP's huge majorities in the Legislature sent it to him on the last day of the state government's fiscal year... - AP

Top House Republicans apparently cast phantom ballots on key budget bill At 8:49 p.m. on Tuesday night, when their colleagues were casting their votes on a piece of budget- related legislation known as "the school code," three senior House Republican leaders were at a press conference in another part of the Capitol calling on Gov. Tom Wolf to sign a GOP-authored budget... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

What to expect Wednesday if state doesn't pass budget If Pennsylvania begins its new fiscal year Wednesday without a budget in place, here's a rundown of what to expect: — State agencies and offices will operate as usual at least in the short term, tapping unused 2014-15 appropriations or special and federal funds to cover the cost. But the state will lose its authority to pay... - Lehighton Times News

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes Republicans' budget HARRISBURG — Wasting little time Tuesday night, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed the entire budget the Republican-controlled Legislature sent him earlier in the evening, saying it was unworkable and leaving the state without a spending plan as the new fiscal year begins Wednesday.... - Allentown Morning Call

June 30 Hundreds lobby Harrisburg for school funds HARRISBURG - Third-grade teacher Elaine Blackmon took a deep breath and made her best sales pitch. "What's good for Philadelphia public students is good for students across the commonwealth," Blackmon told an impassive assistant to Rep. Martin Causer (R., McKean). "We're asking him to reconsider Gov. Wolf's budget."... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The Latest: Major votes lined up in Pennsylvania Legislature HARRISBURG, Pa. — The latest news from an efforts by Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers to line up various pieces of major legislation for floor votes (all times local):.. - AP

Pennsylvania budget impasse effect HARRISBURG — As Republicans complete their alternative state budget, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf appears likely to veto at least some of it. Now, with the midnight deadline for fiscal accord just hours away, it's high time to ask: How would a Harrisburg budget impasse affect people,... - Allentown Morning Call

Mandate claims make budget deal harder HARRISBURG — A bipartisan state budget deal appeared distant Monday with Gov. Tom Wolf preparing to veto a Republican spending plan moving through the Senate. With a midnight deadline tonight for a new budget fast approaching, the Democratic governor and GOP legislative leaders were digging in for a... - Scranton Times

Come together The $30 billion budget the Pennsylvania legislature's ruling Republicans are catapulting through the

Capitol is going to miss the mark. The plan dusts off one-shot gimmicks and a pledge of allegiance to gas drillers while offering no relief to property tax payers and ignoring the state's... - Philadelphia Inquirer

What happens without a state budget? HARRISBURG -- Republicans who control the General Assembly and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf are still seemingly completely at odds over a budget, with the end of the state’s fiscal year at midnight tonight. So what happens if there’s no signed state budget on Wednesday?... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

In historic vote, Pa. Senate approves bill selling state liquor stores The state Senate for the first time on Tuesday approved legislation to privatize the state liquor system. “It is a historic piece of legislation to finally put Pennsylvania into the 21st century,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Last day of Pennsylvania's budget year brings share of drama HARRISBURG, Pa. — The governor and state lawmakers face a day of big votes in the Capitol with a lot at stake on what is the final day of Pennsylvania's budget year... - AP

Budget standoff continues as GOP moves legislation Wolf plans to veto HARRISBURG — Legislative Republicans continued on their collision course with Gov. Tom Wolf, preparing to send the governor today a state budget he has said he will veto along with liquor and pension proposals he does not support. Republican leaders have said there is not support in the House and Senate... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editorial | Lack of state budget is disappointing The Pennsylvania Legislature took up two important topics Monday – privatization of liquor sales and steps to rein in the state employee pension situation. We have to ask: What took so long? The current state budget expires at the end of the day Tuesday, and we see... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

House keeps ball rolling for an on-time budget to reach Wolf's desk House Republicans on Monday continued their part of the work in moving a GOP-crafted $30.2 billion budget package to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk before the new fiscal year starts on Wednesday even though the governor has vowed a veto. Gov. Tom Wolf Reacts To GOP-crafted Budget Pennsylvania's Democratic... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Mandate claims make budget deal harder HARRISBURG — A bipartisan state budget deal appeared distant Monday with Gov. Tom Wolf preparing to veto a Republican spending plan moving through the Senate. With a midnight deadline tonight for a new budget fast approaching, the Democratic governor and GOP legislative leaders were digging in for a... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

June 29 Liquor overhaul, budget bills nearing floor of state Senate HARRISBURG — Legislative Republicans on Sunday unveiled their plan to unravel the state system of wine and liquor sales and began moving the bill toward Gov. Tom Wolf, who opposes turning the business over to the private sector. In a rare Sunday session ahead of the state budget deadline Tuesday, Senate... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Money talks, especially during legislative sessions HARRISBURG - Legislators may be in the midst of a contentious budget season, but they aren't letting the possibility of a partial government shutdown get in the way of their own fund-raising. Lawmakers raising campaign cash when they make the trek to the Capitol to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State budget needs to address real shortfalls June 29 Gov. Tom Wolf is well aware that the aggressive spending and tax proposals that he unveiled during his 2015-16 budget address in March aren't going to come to pass. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

Fast budget action unlikely HARRISBURG — What’s it going to take to have a passed and signed state budget by the end of Tuesday? “That’s a difficult question,” said state Rep. Tedd Nesbit, R-8th. A $30 billion Republican budget package is nearing a House floor vote, although it faces a near-certain veto by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Butler Eagle

Budget Marathon Continues At PA Capitol Harrisburg, Pa. (CBS) — On the day before a new budget is due, the only question now seems to be whether Governor Wolf will veto the entire spending plan, or just part of it. The GOP-controlled House voted on Saturday to send a Republican-drafted budget to the Senate, which is expected to vote on it Tuesday.... - KYW News Radio 1060

LETTER: State Rep. Harper: Why I voted ‘no’ on the governor’s budget State Rep. Harper: Why I voted ‘no’ on the governor’s budget It’s “crunch time” in Harrisburg to get the state’s budget to balance by the constitutional deadline of June 30. It’s not looking good for Governor Wolf, whose first budget does not balance without large... - Lansdale Reporter

Legislature should stand ground on budget priorities June 28 The state budget battle lines were drawn six months ago. Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf wants to increase the spending by 9 percent to $31. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

June 28 Doug McLinko: Proposed natural gas tax would be setback for Pennsylvania Should state budget woes be solved on the backs of one industry? Gov. Tom Wolf has decided as much – calling for a severance tax on the natural gas industry. He says this new industry must pay “its fair share,” but this isn’t a good argument for public policy.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Non-profits nervous about budget impasse Gov. Tom Wolf threatened to veto a Republican budget bill if it crosses his desk in its present form, calling the measure a “step backward.” Mr. Wolf has offered an ambitious first-year agenda to bridge the deficit, restore previous education cuts and provide school property tax relief... - Scranton Times

Lawmakers return to Pa. Capitol in 11th-hour budget scramble Lawmakers will return to the Pennsylvania Capitol as the Republican majorities scramble to send budget legislation to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk, along with bills to scale back public pension benefits and privatize the state-controlled liquor and wine store system... - AP

Pa. budget goes to Senate as deadline, Wolf veto loom: Live updates Lawmakers were back at the Capitol Sunday as the Senate considers a $30 billion Republican-backed budget that will likely face a veto by Gov. Tom Wolf. The budget showdown began in earnest last week, with Republican leaders in both chambers rejecting tax and spending increases in the governor's... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lawmakers, Budget Secretary respond to passage of GOP budget proposal: videos A $31.1 billion GOP-crafted budget proposal passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Saturday. Much to the pleasure of the Republicans, and to the pain of Democrats. Republicans, Democrats and a member of Gov. Tom Wolf's Cabinet lined up to share their opinions following the House vote on Saturday. The GOP-backed... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GOP budget passes, but Pa. stalemate remains With the Wolf administration and the Republican-controlled legislature hurtling toward a budget impasse - and, likely, a partial state government shutdown - the question is: Will anyone notice? Gov. Wolf late last week said he intends to veto the alternative budget... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Berks lawmakers speak out on their state budget wish list Berks County lawmakers share their legislative wish list as budget negotiations will most likely continue past the July 1 deadline. Sen. Judy Schwank, a Ruscombmanor Township Democrat "At the

top of my list is getting the education funding that has been proposed to help make some of the initiatives in the new school funding... - Reading Eagle

Not much budging on state budget It's going to be a long summer. That's pretty much the only thing upon which state lawmakers can agree as the deadline to deliver a state budget approaches. We know what Gov. Tom Wolf wants: a $33.8 billion spending plan that would reduce property taxes by increasing state sales and personal income taxes... - Reading Eagle

A look at GOP plans for budget, pension and liquor bills The House and Senate Republican majorities in the Pennsylvania Legislature are scrambling to advance major legislation to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf in the final days of the state government's 2014-15 state fiscal year, which ends Tuesday night. Details of the legislation were still emerging Saturday... - AP

Corman: GOP budget reflects voters' desire for no tax hikes Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman was joined by other Senate Republicans as well as House GOP leaders at a Friday afternoon news conference to announce plans to begin consideration of a $30.1 billion state budget that their caucuses crafted. Corman, R-Centre County, said in the above video the plan includes some... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Republican budget passes state House The state House on Saturday approved a Republican-crafted $30.1 billion budget that doesn't raise taxes but moves the state closer to a budget impasse with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who is threatening to veto it. A final Senate vote is likely Tuesday. If the budget is unchanged, Wolf... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Liquor privatization plans move forward amid Republican budget success Plans to privatize Pennsylvania's liquor and wine sales will soon be coming up for a vote once Senate Republicans finalize their proposal, says House Majority Leader Dave Reed. Both House and Senate Republicans have agreed on a privatization bill, Reed said, that would include leasing the state's wholesale system of wine and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf vows to veto GOP-crafted budget that fails to address his priorities Just before a House-Senate GOP-crafted budget was about to begin to moving through the legislative approval process, Gov. Tom Wolf predicted a veto was in its future. He called the $30.1 billion spending plan nothing more than "smoke and mirrors" that relies on gimmicks to bring it into balance.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

PA House approves GOP's $30.1B spending plan In what might have been a futile first step to approve a state budget, the Republican-controlled House passed a spending plan Saturday that includes no new taxes and less funding for education than Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed. On Friday, the Democratic governor threatened to veto the GOP's budget... - Allentown Morning Call

Building a budget: Area school districts play guessing game with state funding A lot goes into creating a school budget — including months of planning prior to the budget being finalized — that leaves Midstate administrators and business finance managers making educated estimates in order to come up with a secure budget to carry into the next school year.... - Carlisle Sentinel

June 26 GOP promises budget, Wolf promises veto - It's stalemate time: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. State lawmakers and the Wolf administration headed into the final weekend of the 2014-15 fiscal year with the stage set for what looks, like, for all the world, a showdown that will likely end in a stalemate. On Thursday, Republicans signaled that they'll likely send Gov. Tom Wolf a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

With no agreements near, Pa. lawmakers to work through weekend on budget plan Lawmakers are preparing to work through the weekend with only five days left in the fiscal year as Republicans finalize their alternative to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget plan... - AP

GOP preps a no-tax budget, daring Wolf to veto The centerpiece of Governor Tom Wolf’s state budget died its umpteenth death around a negotiating table this week. Republican legislative leaders emerged from closed-door negotiations with the Democratic Wolf administration to announce that the governor’s proposed severance tax on natural gas drillers is a non-negotiable no-go.... - STATE IMPACT

GOP Pa. budget said to ignore Gov. Wolf HARRISBURG - Republicans who control the legislature spent Thursday putting the finishing touches on their own budget blueprint, one that will exclude many of Gov. Wolf's priorities and pave the path for a veto. The GOP-backed plan, details of which could be made public as early as... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Frances Wolf: Invest in state’s school children with plan that restores equity between rich and poor districts Since he was sworn in as governor in January, my husband and I have been crisscrossing the state, visiting schools, meeting with teachers and administrators, and talking with students in the classroom. We have seen the same thing in school after school and classroom after classroom:... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Kathy Manderino speaks at annual JARI luncheon Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino was listed as the keynote speaker during Thursday’s Johnstown Area Regional Industries’ annual luncheon. But, more than just talking, she came to Mount Aloysius College’s Bertschi Center and Technology Commons to... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Republican lawmakers to offer $500 million more for education with no tax increases The Republican-controlled House is poised to unveil a $30.1 billion budget that adds $500 million for public schools and universities without any tax increases. That is nearly 11 percent lower than the $33.8 billion Democratic Gov. tom Wolf has proposed spending through a series of tax increases and decreases.... - Allentown Morning Call

Compromise in Harrisburg By Ed Rendell This year's Pennsylvania primary election affirmed that most of our citizens have lost faith in government and the political process. More than 80 percent of the commonwealth's registered voters failed to show up to vote. It's no wonder. People have seen increasing partisan deadlock cripple any chance of... - Philadelphia Inquirer

June 25 Wolf aide: 'Hope is waning' in budget talks HARRISBURG - Budget negotiations took another tense turn Wednesday, with a top administration official accusing Republican legislative leaders of throwing up "a wall of ideology" to hamper talks. "Hope is waning," John Hanger, Gov. Wolf's policy secretary, said late... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Hope waning for bipartisan budget deal in Pennsylvania HARRISBURG — Hope is waning in Harrisburg for productive budget negotiations between Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican lawmakers before Pennsylvania state government's new fiscal year begins next week, a top Wolf aide said Wednesday... - AP

Legislators losing hope of reaching state budget compromise HARRISBURG — As the June 30 state budget deadline crept closer Wednesday, Republican legislative leaders and a top aide to Gov. Tom Wolf sounded decreasingly optimistic about reaching agreement. “The likelihood of that diminishes with every hour that ticks by... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Letters: First priority: School funds SINCE HE WAS SWORN in as governor in January, my husband and I have been crisscrossing the

state, visiting schools, meeting with teachers and administrators, and talking with students in the classroom. We have seen the same thing in school after school and classroom after classroom:... - Philadelphia Daily News

Hope is waning for productive budget talks, Wolf aide says HARRISBURG, Pa. — Hope is waning in Harrisburg for productive budget negotiations between Gov. Tom Wolf and top Republican lawmakers before Pennsylvania state government's new fiscal year begins next week, a top Wolf aide said Wednesday... - AP

Pa. Budget 2015: Lawmakers, staff dig in for a long weekend of work: John L. Micek Six days before the deadline to pass the 2015-16 state budget, there's an emerging consensus that we're in for an extended drama. The only question is: What kind? Is it more "Waiting for Godot," with the protagonists marking time with endless small talk as they anticipate agreement on a budget plan that may... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Sen. Scott Wagner given seat at big-table meeting on property taxes Sen. Scott Wagner got a taste of what it's like to wheel and deal at the table in the governor's office suite where big state government decisions get made. Wagner, R-York County, was among the participants in a private discussion about property tax reform with Gov. Tom Wolf's administration officials and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

No compromise: Negotiations over taxing Pennsylvania gas drillers break down Gov. Tom Wolf wants to tax Pennsylvania's natural gas drillers and have that money go to education. Republicans don't. Wednesday's negotiation session didn't bring the two sides any closer. Members of Wolf's Cabinet met with Democratic and Republican leaders to... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

First lady Frances Wolf: Investing in our public schools cannot wait (column) Since he was sworn in as governor in January, my husband and I have been crisscrossing the state, visiting schools, meeting with teachers and administrators, and talking with students in the classroom. We have seen the same thing in school after school and classroom after classroom:... - York Daily

Editorial: GOP way off on budget priorities Pennsylvanians care about public education and the taxes that pay for it. They don't care about the liquor store system. If Republicans are smart, they'll listen to their constituents and get back to the bargaining table with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Pocono Record

June 24 House Majority Leader prepares for budget battle lasting past June 30 deadline House Majority Leader Dave Reed said he's following the Boy Scouts' motto of "Always Be Prepared" when it comes to possibly operating the state government without a budget in place. Reed, R-Indiana, met with reporters Tuesday to discuss recently passed legislation as well as give an update on budget negotiations.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

'Liquor will not hold up this budget process', says House Majority Leader If there's one issue that will not hold up budget negotiations between Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans, House Majority Leader Dave Reed said it will be liquor privatization. Reed, R-Indiana, met with reporters Tuesday to discuss recently passed legislation as well as give an update on budget negotiations. While some... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House leader: Phase-out of state stores being considered to generate education funds HARRISBURG – House and Senate negotiators are close to an agreement on legislation to phase out the state's retail liquor stores and lease the state-controlled wholesale system to provide an estimated $200 million a year in education funds, House Majority Leader Dave Reed said Tuesday.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Put school cash where needed most Like students, school districts change over time. Districts try to accommodate changing student needs with new approaches, new technology and new and upgraded facilities. But in Pennsylvania, the state

government does not accommodate the changing funding needs of districts as their student... - Scranton Times

Top GOP lawmaker says that liquor bill won't hold up budget HARRISBURG, Pa. — A top Pennsylvania House Republican softened the GOP's stance Tuesday on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's opposition to privatizing the state-controlled wine and liquor system, saying disagreement over it would not hold up passage of state budget... - AP

June 23 Are state budget talks at a standstill? GOP lawmakers say yes Have state budget talks reached a stalemate with eight days left before the new fiscal year starts? That is how House and Senate Republican leaders seemed to portray how their negotiations with Gov. Tom Wolf left off last week. Wolf made it clear to the Republicans that he has no appetite to move to a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Signs of stalemate build in Harrisburg HARRISBURG - The prospects for a state budget deal dimmed Monday as Democrats and Republicans in the Capitol ramped up their rhetoric and raised the possibility of a stalemate. With eight days left before a new fiscal year, the Wolf administration and the GOP leaders who control the legislature still appeared far apart on the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Senate Democratic leader shares view of budget talks, what happens if it's late With the June 30 deadline for a budget agreement fast approaching and no agreement in sight based on accounts from GOP legislative leaders, Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa describes the situation as disappointing. Yet, on Monday, when he sat down with Capitol reporters, he remained... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Document offers glimpse into Senate GOP budget ideas HARRISBURG — With the deadline to passing a new budget a week away, Republican lawmakers could be looking to close the state's estimated $1.2 billion deficit without relying on higher taxes on natural gas drillers, workers and shoppers as Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed, a financial... - Allentown Morning Call

Democratic lawmakers: 'We're not going to negotiate away retirement security' for public employees ' Democratic lawmakers worked to refute claims made by top GOP lawmakers that Gov. Tom Wolf is not addressing the state's underfunded pension programs in budget negotiations. House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody and Democratic Whip Mike Hanna said on Monday the governor has been addressing the state's pension issue while... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. school districts make an 'educated guess' at next year's budget Making a budget before knowing how much money you have might seem like putting the cart before the horse. But that's exactly what many school districts in Pennsylvania are doing. The state budget is technically due June 30, but Gov. Wolf stated publicly as early as April that the state might not meet that deadline. By law,... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Who will step up and get the Pennsylvania budget process moving forward?: Editorial On Monday afternoon, a group of activists gathered outside Gov. Tom Wolf's second-floor offices in the state Capitol to sing and pray for a state budget that delivers for all Pennsylvanians. With scarcely a week remaining to pass a new spending plan, and Democrat... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GOP lawmakers on path to passing budget Wolf doesn't support HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Republican-controlled Legislature appeared more firmly on course Monday to passing a state budget opposed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, raising the likelihood of a veto and an extended stalemate... - AP

Frustration grows in budget talks When does just getting together around the negotiating table stop feeling like an accomplishment? About a week before the June 30 state budget deadline, it seems. On Monday, Gov.

Tom Wolf and legislative leaders expressed frustration about the lack of progress in talks on the budget and related issues.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

June 22 Hearings, survey expose disconnect with gas industry June 21 Local hearings last week by the Appropriations Committee of the state House on the state budget talks evolved rather naturally into a discussion about Gov. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Republicans criticize Gov. Tom Wolf for 'not negotiating in good faith' on pensions Top Republican lawmakers said they made their budget negotiations clear to Gov. Tom Wolf: He must address the state's underfunded pension programs before everything else. SB1 would move the state from its state from a defined benefit plan to a 401-K pension system for future employees.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

It's budget time - get ready for a long, hot summer: Charlie Gerow By Charlie Gerow As PennLive/The Patriot-News graphically pointed out on the front page of its Sunday print edition on June 14, things have been a bit rough for Gov. Tom Wolf lately. CHARLIE GEROW HEADSHOT ART.jpegRepublican strategist Charlie GerowCarl Socolow... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Progress on disability front The new administration in Harrisburg is building momentum in an effort to reverse some of the severe cuts in social programs that occurred under former Gov. Tom Corbett. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget calls for a 6 percent raise in social services spending to help offset the effects of a 10 percent reduction in... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

What will blow up the budget? One word - 'Pensions': Tony May By Tony May Just 90 words in a letter from a mid-level program analyst in the Department of Labor and Industry to a handful of state human service providers warning of the mere possibility of a failure to pass a 2015-16 budget by July 1 is all that it took last week to raise the specter of the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

As budget showdown looms, corruption probe quietly ends HARRISBURG – As Pennsylvania lawmakers brace for the annual clash over how to spend billions of taxpayer dollars, the final chapter in a starker government drama is quietly playing out in the state prison system... - AP

As Pa. budget deadline looms, Parties find little common ground HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The new fiscal year for Pennsylvania state government begins July 1 and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature are meeting regularly in an effort to reach agreement on granting the state another year of spending authority... - AP

Vetoes on liquor, pensions on table for Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf HARRISBURG — Anthony May said he has no doubt that Gov. Tom Wolf has the political fortitude in a little more than a week to veto pension or liquor reform bills and a state budget, if necessary, to emphasize his priorities. “What does he have to lose by throwing down two or three vetoes?”... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Crunch time: Politicians point fingers as state budget deadline nears SSS Delaware County lawmakers are expecting budget negotiations to extend past the deadline at the end of June — and some continue to point fingers at their political counterparts by claiming the vote that rejected Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax plan a few weeks ago was an orchestrated political tactic.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Pa. Budget Enters Home Stretch PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Pennsylvania lawmakers return to the capitol today and may not leave until there is a new budget…whenever that is. The ostensible deadline for a new budget and lawmakers’ summer recess is June 30th, but that deadline has been missed more often than not over... - KYW News Radio 1060

June 21 Deadline looming, no budget in sight With 10 days until a new fiscal year, the Wolf administration and the GOP-controlled legislature will have to pull the equivalent of a college cramming session to meet the deadline to enact a state budget. The two sides have met behind closed doors for months, with little obvious... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Court declines to overturn government's use of tobacco funds Pennsylvania's highest court ruled Friday that a lawsuit over the use of tobacco settlement money to balance the state budget was brought by people who did not have standing... - AP

Education Funding Commission's report an important first step for Pa. students: Editorial What's this? A show of bipartisan support wedged in between battles over a State Police commissioner, the Office of Open Records and the looming budget deadline? Believe it. The Basic Education Funding Commission took at step that might actually have an impact on the mess that is public school funding in Pennsylvania.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa's fiscal health is shaky Political bickering costs taxpayers millions: In its recent bond auction, Pennsylvania had to promise to pay 3.11 percent interest to get investors to lend it $1.24 billion so it can fix up buildings and pay down debts, in a sale arranged by BofA Merrill Lynch,... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislators talk severance tax at luncheon State Sen. Gene Yaw described ongoing discussion of a severance tax “like nails on a chalkboard” on Friday at a Susquehanna County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. “I’m so sick of hearing that we’re the only state without a severance tax,” said Mr. Yaw, R-23, Williamsport.... - Scranton Times

Working together on the budget, Wolf and General Assembly can chart a new path for Pa.: Ed Rendell By Ed Rendell This year's Pennsylvania primary election affirmed the fact that most of our citizens have lost faith in government and the political process. More 80 percent of our Commonwealth's registered voters failed to show up to vote. It's no wonder. People have seen increasing partisanship deadlock... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Dwight Evans shows he still has the political touch People are suddenly asking Dwight Evans for lottery picks. That happens when you are two-for-two betting long on the most important political offices in Pennsylvania. In back-to-back elections, the Democratic state representative from West Oak Lane has wagered and won big with his support of the relatively unknown... - Philadelphia Inquirer

June 19 Taxing candy is not a sweet deal As state budget negotiations heat up in Harrisburg, lawmakers are seeking ways to address property tax reform. As part of his overall budget package, Gov. Wolf has proposed broadening and increasing the state's sales tax, including extending it to candy and other confectionery products. A tax on... - Allentown Morning Call

Summer vacation? What summer vacation? Budget debate derails plans The laugh starts somewhere deep down and then bubbles up through him until it becomes an explosive guffaw, reddening his cheeks and causing his shoulders to shake. "There, that's my answer," Chris Latta, a staffer for the Legislative Budget & Finance Committee, and a veteran of two decades' worth of budget... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Progress on disability front The new administration in Harrisburg is building momentum in an effort to reverse some of the severe cuts in social programs that occurred under former Gov. Tom Corbett. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed

budget calls for a 6 percent raise in social services spending to help offset the effects of a 10 percent reduction in... - Scranton Times

June 18 Wolf, lawmakers meet over budget, 2 weeks before deadline HARRISBURG, Pa. — A meeting between Gov. Tom Wolf and senior legislative leaders ended Wednesday without a breakthrough on Pennsylvania's unfinished budget with just two weeks left in the state's fiscal year. The Democratic governor emerged from the hour-long meeting in the Capitol... - AP

Gov. Wolf praises new plan for doling out money to Pa. schools Gov. Tom Wolf met with members of the Basic Education Funding Commission Thursday to praise a new, proposed formula for distributing money to Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts. The proposed funding formula, which has not yet been passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly,recognizes not just a district's number of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Franklin & Marshall poll: 58 percent back Gov. Wolf's budget With less than two weeks to go until a budget deal is due, the Democratic governor and Republican- controlled Legislature remain locked in a tense showdown. But Pennsylvania voters know what they want. They want increased funding for public education, a reformed tax system to... - Reading Eagle

F&M Poll Shows Continuing Support For Wolf Budget HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — With the deadline now less than two weeks off, a new Franklin and Marshall College Poll shows most Pennsylvanians continue to support Governor Wolf’s budget proposals. The Franklin and Marshall College Poll shows 58 percent of registered... - KYW News Radio 1060

Raising taxes and borrowing money are not real solutions By GENE BARR When Gov. Tom Wolf gave his budget address, he proposed significant changes to Pennsylvania’s tax structure and increases in many of the taxes that employers pay in order to raise nearly $5 billion in new state spending. The income and sales tax increases that were proposed have the potential to... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Supporters rally for Wolf's education plan in Doylestown Eight supporters of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s education budget gathered in Doylestown on Wednesday to make the case for additional taxes on natural gas drilling and a new funding formula for the state’s public schools. Wolf’s proposed Pennsylvania Education Reinvestment Act would raise an... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

School districts hope to use statefunds for early childhood programs School districts in Luzerne County plan to add $1.6 million for early childhood programs if they receive $4.5 million in additional state funds proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf. The state Department of Education requested information from school districts on how they would spend the extra money. There’s no guarantee... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Would gambling expansion help Pennsylvania's budget? State legislators proposed an expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania to bring in more revenue and close a $2.3 billion budget gap. Plans include permitting casinos to provide online gambling and open satellite locations, and allowing taverns and restaurants to offer video gambling. Would... - Allentown Morning Call

June 17 Staff Cuts and Tax Hikes Are The New Normal For School Districts Across Pennsylvania HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Pennsylvania school districts plan to address their budget pressures through property tax increases and staff cuts, according to a new statewide survey. School districts across Pennsylvania are responding to rises in fixed costs, including pensions and charter schools, by: (A) raising property... - KYW News Radio 1060

Lawmakers work to correct 25-year school funding disparity In theory, Pennsylvania school districts whose communities are similar economically are supposed to receive about the same amount of money per student from the state... - AP

State budget negotiators have a quick, cordial meeting; and leave the details in the room Gov. Tom Wolf and senior Republican legislative leaders had another closed-door meeting about Pennsylvania's $30 billion budget Tuesday, and it was short, sweet and private. Participants described Tuesday's session as more of an update on the work of various working groups looking at issues like pension reform, liquor... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf, lawmakers meet over budget, 2 weeks before deadline A meeting between Gov. Tom Wolf and senior legislative leaders ended Wednesday without a breakthrough on Pennsylvania's unfinished budget with just two weeks left in the state's fiscal year... - AP

June 16 Pa. education commission 'tweaking' report on funding schools HARRISBURG — Putting more taxpayer money toward education is a fundamental piece of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget, and this week, a special commission is expected to introduce a formula for distributing education funding to schools. The Basic Education Funding Commission, composed of 15 legislators and... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Budget negotiators have defined Pennsylvania's 'structural deficit' at $1.2 billion Pennsylvania's budget negotiators appear to have reached a qualified agreement in their quest to hammer out a new spending plan for state government. Not the agreement. But an agreement, and that's some progress. The agreement in question is — at least as confirmed by several... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

On two fronts, Wolf gives in to get back HARRISBURG - In less than three hours Monday, Gov. Wolf took two steps back, hoping the moves will pay off politically for him with a giant leap forward. In the morning, Wolf agreed not to fight the reinstatement of a onetime top Republican aide, Erik Arneson, to run the state's Office of Open Records.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. budget deficit lower than thought, House GOP says HARRISBURG — Republicans on Monday reported a small breakthrough in negotiations on the state budget, which is due by June 30. The $30 billion-plus package sought by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf at least has a starting point with agreement that the state deficit is about $1.2... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

June 15 Clash between Wolf, Senate GOP grips Capitol amid budget talks HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s top state senator was leaving Gov. Tom Wolf’s office after a brief meeting with the Democratic chief executive when he stumbled onto someone he had wanted to meet... - AP

Tax debate heats up as lawmakers, Wolf work on budget June 14 HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania state representatives found a tax issue they could agree on last week, voting unanimously against a Republican amendment that had bundled together all of Democratic Gov. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Pa. Fact Finder: Is Sen. Scott Wagner right about public workers' high benefits? Wagner says public employee benefits tower over private-sector benefits, and should be reined in as part of saving state money. It's budget season in Pennsylvania, and state Sen. Scott Wagner says legislators must rein in spending — including through reform of public employee benefits.... - York Daily

Wolf, GOP far apart on budget as deadline looms HARRISBURG — For nonprofit agencies that rely on state aid to help parents, the poor and the sick, it’s happening again: A state budget seems unlikely to be approved before the deadline in two weeks. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature appear... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

June 14 Analysts offer 3 Pa. state budget outcomes Don’t hold your breath if you’re counting on a new state budget by the June 30 deadline. It’s looking more and more like Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, and the GOP-controlled Legislature won’t be able to reach a deal in time, meaning budget talks could drag on through much of the summer.... - Erie Times-News

Who are the players in Budget Battle 2015? A Readers Guide (*This piece has been updated to correctly reflect Sen. Joe Scarnati's support for a liquor privatization proposal) It's been said, more than once, that you can't tell the players without a scorecard. So here's your handy clip-and-save guide to the key personalities in the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State budget due in two weeks For nonprofit agencies that rely on state aid to help parents, the poor and the sick, it’s happening again: a state budget seems unlikely to be approved before the deadline in two weeks. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature appear... - Scranton Times

Budget Battle 2015 - How bad could it be? Plenty: John L. Micek Pretty much no one expects Gov. Tom Wolf's 2015-2016 budget proposal (including the Guv himself) to be approved by the time the current fiscal year ends at midnight on June 30. So how bad could it get? Here's a look back at some of the worst budget stand-offs of years past.... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Will we have a good, bad or ugly budget?: Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young By Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young June, that most beautiful of months, is associated with some of life's larger pleasures: the beginning of summer, annual vacations, school graduations, Fathers' Day, June brides—and, of course, state budgets. Pennsylvania law requires the budget to be adopted by June 30th.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Letter: Support House Bill 1164 A bill that aids single parents, reduces poverty and ultimately cuts government spending. It sounds too good to be true, but HB1164, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Bloom, could accomplish all of those things by fixing the child care subsidy "benefits cliff.” Pennsylvania clearly needs a fresh approach to caring for the needy and... - Carlisle Sentinel

Anti-online-gambling campaign targets Luzerne County As legislative interest in Internet gambling peaks, mailers sent throughout Luzerne County are spreading the message: Stop Internet gambling. The Nevada-based Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling, a group fronted by billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, owner of Bethlehem Sands casino,... - Scranton Times

McGinty meets with Scranton students, educators, talking testing and technology Gov. Tom Wolf’s chief of staff, Kathleen McGinty, visited a hot and muggy South Scranton Intermediate School to chat with students, administrators and teachers while drumming up support for her boss. Ms. McGinty’s visit Friday included stops at several schools in Eastern... - Scranton Times

June 12 L&I's misfired letter worries agency that serves visually impaired The state Department of Labor and Industry Office of Vocational Rehabilitation may have jumped the gun on sending out a letter to agencies that serve individuals with disabilities warning them to make contingency plans and that they won't be paid for any money spent on or after July 1 if... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Our view: Find way to enact property tax reform The Pennsylvania Legislature has a historic opportunity to act on an issue that boasts bipartisan support -- providing school property tax relief. But Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf differ on how to reform Pennsylvania's tax system, which is pinching property owners everywhere and... - Erie Times-News

Budget cold war continues between Wolf, GOP After meeting behind closed doors in Harrisburg earlier this week, Gov. Wolf and state House Speaker Mike Turzai said little about their talks to find common ground on a new budget. But as both swung through the Philadelphia region Thursday, they left little doubt their gap was as wide as ever.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Not a good week for Gov. Tom Wolf HARRISBURG — Since being sworn in to office Jan. 20, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf often has said he is not a dictator. But Republican lawmakers say some of Wolf's actions show he thinks his rule is absolute. And some of Wolf's executive decisions blew up in recent days with a string... - Allentown Morning Call

June 11 For schools and the future - here's why lawmakers need to support a shale tax: David Filliman By David Fillman Harrisburg's annual budget debate can confound the vast majority of Pennsylvanians who have a hard enough time putting together their own family budget. David Fillman.jpgDavid FillmanPennlive.com file But the ongoing debate over whether or not Pennsylvania should impose a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf administration accused of 'political gamesmanship' on services for blind House Republicans accuse Gov. Tom Wolf's administration of employing “scare tactics” in threatening the potential loss of funding for services for the blind if a state budget impasse occurs. Rep. Mauree Gingrich, chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

June 10 3 options for this year’s Pa. budget: good, bad or (really, really) ugly June is associated with some of life’s larger pleasures: the beginning of summer, annual vacations, school graduations, Father’s Day, June brides — and, of course, state budgets. Pennsylvania law requires the budget to be adopted by June 30. This year, however, June’s glories might have to be savored without a... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Can Wolf’s affable nature lead him to budget compromise? June 10 State Rep. Garth Everett, a Muncy Republican, was working in his somewhat isolated office late one day when there was a knock on the door. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Budget stalemate brewing Passing a budget is one of the core responsibilities of state government. Yet, Harrisburg lawmakers have never seemed too fussy about honoring the June 30... Tom Wolf Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati Governor Senate Harman On Time Radio Washington HARRISBURG Doylestown natural gas industry... - Bloomsburg Press Enterprise

EDITORIAL: Library funding important as educational resource to Pa. families Gov. Tom Wolf and his wife Frances Wolf have each made the point in their travels that investing in Pennsylvania public education must take into account closing the gaps that exist among the haves and the have-nots, especially for children in the pre-kindergarten years.... - Pottstown Mercury

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — House Rejects Wolf Tax Plan: The House voted unanimously last week against an amendment which included the tax hikes found in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget

proposal. His plan called for increases to the state’s Personal Income Tax and the sales tax, which would also be... - Waynesboro Record Herald

June 9 Pension reform for state: Reality, not political football June 9 Pennsylvania’s public employees pension fund is unsustainable. The proof is not a matter of conjecture. It’s a matter of record. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Our public schools are in crisis - and students are paying the price: Ian Noah Gavigan and Deborah Gordon Klehr By Ian Noah Gavigan and Deborah Gordon Klehr Our state's public schools are in crisis and students are paying the price. Academic performance is stagnating. Classroom sizes are growing as teachers, counselors, and other staff are laid off as a result of continuing budget cuts. Districts have eliminated core services and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Here's what Gov. Wolf's decision to keep Marcus Brown on the job tells us about coming budget talks: Tuesday Morning Coffee Here's what Gov. Wolf's decision to keep Marcus Brown on the job tells us about coming budget talks: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. With Monday's vote to reject his pick for State Police Commissioner, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf was handed his major first defeat by the very... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Library funding important as educational resource to Pa. families Gov. Tom Wolf and his wife Frances Wolf have each made the point in their travels that investing in Pennsylvania public education must take into account closing the gaps that exist among the haves and the have-nots, especially for children in the pre-kindergarten years.... - Pottstown Mercury

June 8 Editorial: Guys, get serious and stop the stunts and budget bickering Warning: Pennsylvania politics will stunt the growth of your maturity. It’s not a result of smoke-filled rooms because many politicians don’t smoke anymore. It just seems to be a side-effect of holding public office. Our leaders can’t seem to stop themselves from pulling political stunts.... - West Chester Daily Local News

Pottstown library fears more funding cuts in Wolf budget POTTSTOWN >> Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed state budget makes a very public point of increasing money for public education. But what you won’t find in a press release from the governor’s office is how his budget is cutting funding for public libraries. The cut, although small in context, comes at the tail end of seven years of... - Pottstown Mercury

Report: Pa. gets a 'D' for school funding distribution PENNSYLVANIA received a "D" for the way it distributes K-12 education funding to school districts on a new report card from an education advocacy group. Titled "Is School Funding Fair? A National Report Card," the evaluation from Newark, N.J., -based Education Law Center says Pennsylvania is one of... - Philadelphia Daily News

Will both sides be willing to compromise during Pennsylvania budget talks? PennLive letters Pennsylvania's leaders are required to have a budget in place for the fiscal year, which begins on July 1. If there is an agreement anywhere close to the deadline, it will be a miracle. There is a structural deficit of as much as $2 billion. Gov. Tom Wolf insists on at least $1 billion more per year in spending... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Analyst: House Vote Brings ‘Dose Of Reality’ To State Budget Talks Harrisburg, PA (CBS) — With a new state budget due at the end of the month, and prospects for an on-time budget not bright, capitol observers are evaluating the impact of unusual developments in the House this past week. On Monday, when House Democrats tried to get a vote on Governor Wolf’s... - KYW News Radio 1060

State budget talks stuck as deadline looms HARRISBURG – With little more than three weeks before the end of the fiscal year, lawmakers and the governor have yet to even agree on how out-of-whack the state’s finances are. That could set up a historic staring match. Republicans insist that by the end of the month, the Legislature will pass... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

June 7 Pennsylvania needs to step up its investment in pre-k programs By Jane Ervin President and CEO, Community Services for Children About 7,000 public high school seniors are receiving diplomas this time of year in Northampton and Lehigh counties. But that pales in comparison to the number of even younger Lehigh Valley learners – about 13,500 in all... - Easton Express-Times

Property tax reform: Comparing Gov. Wolf's plan with the House Republicans Both Gov. Tom Wolf and the state House of Representatives have advanced plans that give significant property tax relief to homeowners by increasing the state sales and income taxes. But the two plans diverge when it comes to who would benefit most. The $4.9 billion property tax relief plan backed by House Republicans... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State lawmakers commence budget season in earnest The Capitol was shrouded in a heavy mist of political fog and smoke last week as state lawmakers returned to start state “budget season.” The Republican-controlled House engaged in an exercise that led to a unanimous vote rejecting the combined state tax hikes proposed by... - Scranton Times

Wolf's first budget faces infighting in Harrisburg Standing in the Capitol like a frustrated teacher unable to control an unruly class, Gov. Wolf exclaimed: "I want to get to work. Let's cut out the stunts." The Republican-controlled House had just shot down his entire budget proposal in a Monday test vote, kicking off a critical month of budget... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Leaning tower: Gov. Tom Wolf’s severance tax must be seen in its totality The moving pieces in state budget talks in Harrisburg are a lot like the game of Jenga, in which the object is to keep rearranging a stack of wooden blocks without toppling the tower. One of those pieces is Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal for a severance tax on natural gas drilling, which he wants to impose so the state can funnel $2... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

June 5 State budget: We need statesmanship, not stunts (YDR opinion) Warning: Pennsylvania politics will stunt the growth of your maturity. It's not a result of smoke-filled rooms because most politicians don't smoke anymore. It just seems to be a side-effect of holding public office. Our leaders can't seem to stop themselves from pulling political stunts.... - York Daily

Legislator: Governor needs to compromise on budget plans June 5 The deadline for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to pass the state’s 2015-16 budget is June 30, and state Rep. Garth Everett, R-Muncy, hopes the recent House vote to reject Gov. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Wayne Burton: Retiree group sees merit in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget blueprint Pennsylvania has one of the oldest populations of any state in the nation. Unlike our counterparts in the rest of the northeast, Pennsylvania retirees are much more likely to retire here in the state in which they were born. That’s why it’s critical for state lawmakers to consider the needs... - Wilkes- Barre Times Leader

City should cut other spending for education The scoffing language that some Philadelphia City Council members have been using in discussions with School District officials asking them for more money is not only inappropriate, it suggests that the

elected leaders don’t take seriously the dire consequences of not providing a better... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf tax package exposed when put in broad daylight June 5 It was predictable and some would say political. But it was also instructive. A measure combining all of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increases - $12. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

June 4 Rep. Klunk: House united against Wolf's massive tax hikes for Pa. (letter) Pennsylvania should not balance its budget or increase state spending on the backs of the most vulnerable. That was the loud and clear message sent to Gov. Tom Wolf on the very first day of June as the House of Representatives voted to reject the tax increase legislation he proposed in... - York Daily

Liam Migdail-Smith: Sides will have to give in state budget talks Gov. Tom Wolf and state House Speaker Mike Turzai may be closer to the same page than they think. During recent visits to the area, each >>>>Continue - Reading Eagle

Rejection of tax increase puts pressure on Gov. Wolf Monday’s unanimous House rejection of Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax increases obviously disappointed the governor. Democrats and Republicans, for very different reasons, voted 193-0 against the proposed $12.7 billion net increase. If the outcome surprised Wolf, then he is either politically naive or... - Butler Eagle

June 3 Sen. Scott 'Chopper' Wagner says schools have plenty of funding (YDR opinion) State Sen. Scott Wagner went for a helicopter ride last week. The York County Republican took a TV reporter along for the ride. It looked like it was a lot of fun. Too bad it seemed like a pointless stunt. Sen. Wagner took WHTM's Dennis Owens for a ride, figuratively.... - York Daily

From the Capitol The House returns to session this week as work continues on the budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year. Amendments to the proposed budget are expected to be considered next week, as a budget must be approved by June 30. The House will be in session for the vast majority of June to finalize a budget,... - Waynesboro Record Herald

State budget: Wolf, GOP leaders talks begin to lay a foundation A day after House Republicans sent a message to Gov. Tom Wolf that they are not on board with his $29.9 billion spending plan or the tax package he proposed to support it, GOP leaders from both legislative chambers met behind closed doors at the budget table with the governor.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lawmakers concerned about potential impasse With less than 30 days to pass a budget, Monday's House vote against Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's tax plan concerns some lawmakers. Democratic state Rep. Tim Mahoney said that leaders on both sides need to get serious about passing a budget. He said Monday's defeat of Wolf's... - Somerset Daily

June 2 Stunts, accusations mark beginning of state budget drama Call it the first act of state budget theater that will ultimately – someday – lead to a 2015-16 state spending plan for Pennsylvania. An hourslong partisan display on the House floor on Monday that had Democrats and Republicans accusing each other of smoke and mirror stunts... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. House says no, 193-0, to Gov. Wolf's tax plan HARRISBURG — House Republicans called up Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's tax-shifting plan on

Monday, and the House shot it down by a unanimous vote. Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D- Oakmont, called the vote on an amendment that contained Wolf's tax plan “a political stunt.”... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf right to try to go big The 11th month of the state government’s current fiscal year dawned Monday with little prospect of having a budget in place to begin the new fiscal year on July 1. Over the last four years, former Gov. Tom Corbett and the Legislature always met that deadline, largely because the governor and the legislative... - Scranton Times

Legislators Return for Potentially Protracted Budget Season State lawmakers returned to Harrisburg this week after a two-week break and, if some predictions are right, might not get another break from session for another couple of months. They face a June 30 deadline for the approval of a spending plan for the 2015-16 fiscal year that starts July 1,... - The Legal Intelligencer

'This was a stunt': Gov. Tom Wolf slams GOP for budget antics Gov. Tom Wolf pulled no punches after the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted down various pieces of his budget and spending plan Monday afternoon. Wolf spoke briefly during a press conference after the vote was called. The Democratic governor specifically called out House Republicans for trying to... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House votes unanimously against state budget plan HARRISBURG -- June may end with a state budget, but it began Monday with a unanimous vote against Gov. Tom Wolf’s tax package and animus over what that meant. “It’s certainly only the beginning,” said House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana. “The only thing that we really solved today was... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State House Republicans push Wolf taxes to unanimous defeat HARRISBURG, Pa. — A measure combining all of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed tax increases went down unanimously Monday in the state House, but Republicans and Democrats had much different reasons for voting against it... - AP

June 1 June marks start of budget 'cacophony' in PA Capitol HARRISBURG — For months, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers have been trying to build public support for their budget plans by holding roundtable discussions, political events and rallies at schools and businesses. The partisan displays continued Friday with Wolf and his wife Frances... - Allentown Morning Call

Privitization, budget, taxes on busy Pennsylvania lawmakers' agenda HARRISBURG — June is always a busy month at the Pennsylvania Capitol. This year, it might be even busier. Negotiations over the annual state budget, due June 30, promise to involve not only significant questions about spending and revenue, but also major policy issues, including proposals to change pension benefits for teachers... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Lawmakers return to work with month left in Pa. budget year HARRISBURG (AP) – Pennsylvania lawmakers are facing complicated and hotly disputed issues as they return to the Capitol with a month until the state government’s fiscal year ends... - AP

EDITORIAL: Prospects for an on-time budget fading in Pa. On your mark … Get set … Go? Uh, maybe. Do not pass go. Do not collect $30 billion. At least not if you’re one of those folks who toils — supposedly for Joe Citizen — in the Pennsylvania Capitol. Welcome to the good old days in Harrisburg. Tomorrow is June 1. Our new governor and legislators have exactly 30 days... - Pottstown Mercury

Budget or bust! Gov. Tom Wolf prepares for clash with lawmakers Budget or bust! Gov. Tom Wolf prepares for clash with lawmakers Christian Alexandersen | [email protected] The budget process begins It’s summer time in Pennsylvania and that

means it’s budget time at the state Capitol. First-year Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has proposed an ambitious and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

With one month to go, uncertainty surrounds state budget Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the GOP-controlled state Legislature have just a month left to agree on their first state budget. And what they'll do is anyone's guess, said political analyst G. Terry Madonna. "There's more uncertainty in what's actually going to happen in Harrisburg... - Reading Eagle

GOP-led Pa. Senate likely to OK budget based on changes opposed by Wolf HARRISBURG — Short of a negotiated agreement among the House, Senate and governor, the Republican-controlled Senate likely will send a balanced budget to Gov. Tom Wolf by the June 30 deadline that includes savings from pension and liquor overhaul, the chamber's top GOP lawmaker said.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It's crunch time for state lawmakers HARRISBURG — Lawmakers return to the Capitol today for “budget season,” the annual political carnival that is supposed to lead by month’s end to a new state budget and potential passage of major legislation addressing key issues facing Pennsylvanians. The political intensity will build each week leading up to the June 30... - Scranton Times

Viewing Harrisburg: The Capitol’s hot topic? How long a budget deal will take HARRISBURG >> It’s the talk of the Capitol: How long will it take for Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature to settle on a budget?.. - AP

May 31 The Capitol's hot topic? How long a budget deal will take It's the talk of the Capitol: How long will it take for Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature to settle on a budget?.. - AP

Invest in pre-K now or prisons later At a recent Pennsylvania state budget hearing, a senator asked, “If you were to advise us as to an investment that we should be making in another agency, in another part of government, that would impact what you do, change the outcome of what you do, what would you recommend?”... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Comparing the GOP tax plan with Wolf’s Both Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have advanced plans that give significant property tax relief to homeowners by increasing the state sales and income taxes. But the two plans diverge when it comes to who would benefit most. The $4.9 billion property tax relief plan backed by House Republicans... - Scranton Times

Erie school leaders optimistic about Wolf budget The Erie School District's proposed final budget includes no tax increase and is balanced almost entirely by state money the district isn't guaranteed to receive. But Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams said the proposal is a realistic one, and said he is "cautiously optimistic" that the district will receive... - Erie Times-News

Tax Calculator: Comparing the House Republicans' tax plan with Wolf's Both Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania House of Representatives have advanced plans that give significant property tax relief to homeowners by increasing the state sales and income taxes. But the two plans diverge when it comes to who would benefit most. The $4.9 billion property tax relief plan backed by House Republicans... - Erie Times-News

Lt. Gov. Mike Stack: Preserve pensions of Pennsylvania’s public workers In the Pennsylvania Senate, where I preside, we’ve witnessed several unfortunate attacks recently on public employees. A bill that would interfere with collective bargaining has passed, and several more

are receiving serious consideration. Another bill that would diminish state... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Officials: Analysis underscores Phila. schools' need for funding In the face of steep funding cuts, the city school system is now spending less to educate each student than it had since 2008, and benefits are costing nearly $8,000 more per teacher than they did three years ago. Mix lower revenues with rising fixed costs and the result is fewer dollars... - Philadelphia Inquirer

May 29 It's right and fiscally sound to pay for pre-K now instead of paying prison costs later THE ISSUE Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget calls for $256.5 million for preschool education funding for the 2015-16 school year, up from $136.5 million this school year. Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts, a state program for at-risk and low-income kids, would receive $100 million more, so it could serve an... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Phila. City Council hears more pleas for increasing school funding One day after a heated hearing between City Council and School District officials, on Wednesday, parents, teachers, and advocates had their turn and delivered a straightforward message to Council: We need more funding. "I will stand with City Council and ask those tough questions of the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

May 28 More than 90 percent of Pa. school districts submit plans for increased funds Ninety-two percent of school districts in the state have submitted plans outlining how they would spend their share of the proposed $400 million increase in basic education funding that Gov. Tom Wolf wants allocated to schools, according to the governor's office.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Phila. City Council hears more pleas for increasing school funding One day after a heated hearing between City Council and School District officials, on Wednesday, parents, teachers, and advocates had their turn and delivered a straightforward message to Council: We need more funding. "I will stand with City Council and ask those tough questions of the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Wolf talks funding, education with school, local officials at Pocono Mtn. West Jr. High Gov. Tom Wolf made a visit to the Pocono Mountain West Junior High on Wednesday afternoon to talk about how the school spends its money. In a round-table discussion with Pocono Mountain school officials, as well as state representatives David Parker, Rosemary Brown and Jack Rader,... - Pocono Record

Nonprofits’ impact touted at Pittsburgh briefing centering on Wolf budget Nonprofit agencies in Allegheny County that provide critical health and human services as well as educational, environmental and arts programming employ 75,000 people and generate more than $4 billion in annual revenues. But for years they’ve been largely ignored as a viable part of the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

OP-ED: Wolf is right: Invest in Pre-K now, not prisons later By JOHN WETZEL Acting Secretary of Corrections At a recent budget hearing, a senator asked, "If you were to advise us as to an investment that we should be making in another agency, in another part of government, that would impact what you do, change the outcome of... - York Dispatch

May 27 GUEST COLUMN: Education, minimum wage increase keys to reducing income inequality By Robert Freeman We have all heard the political rhetoric that has been used against unions, painting them as standing in the way of economic growth and as a drag on the freewheeling economics of recent years. However, history portrays a different picture. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof writes it was during the 1940s... - Easton Express-Times

PA Gov. Tom Wolf goes to prison to tout preschool funding HARRISBURG — Since he introduced his $33.8 billion budget nearly three months ago, Gov. Tom Wolf has toured the state, visiting schools to press his plans to spend heavily on education. On Tuesday, Wolf continued that publicity tour at a different venue — a prison.... - Allentown Morning Call

Wolf, lawmakers release report for funding of quality early education LOWER ALLEN TOWNSHIP — Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, prosecutors and other law enforcement leaders joined together with Fight Crime: Invest in Kids at the State Corrections Institution at Camp Hill to release a report stating that investment in early childhood education will save on... - Carlisle Sentinel

The state’s fixes are doable, with attitude change May 27 It will be quite a challenge for Gov. Tom Wolf to find common ground with the Republican- controlled state House and Senate as the budget talks heat up in the next mont. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Fund heritage areas Gov. Tom Wolf has challenged the state Legislature to do some big things, from true property tax reform to realistic education funding. The scope of the challenge is such that the governor and his legislative critics have yet to agree even on the exact amount of the budget proposal.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Law enforcement: Pay for pre-K now, or pay us more later CAMP HILL >> Spending $120 million more on preschool education will save Pennsylvania taxpayers $350 million over the children's lifetimes, according to a report released Tuesday. Pennsylvania Corrections Secretary John Wetzel on Tuesday hosted an event urging state lawmakers to expand funding for high-quality pre-kindergarten... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

May 26 State balances budget on unclaimed property Pennsylvania had a huge budget gap last year. And to help close the shortfall, the Legislature tinkered with the state’s unclaimed property laws. It worked. And it worked too well, in the minds of some. The commonwealth, following a precedent set by other cash-strapped states,... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Has state tax reform’s time finally arrived? May 24 They are talking serious tax reform in Harrisburg these days. And the discussions are aligned to state budget talks and an operations fund deficit. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Reeling hospitals fear impact of Wolf’s budget HARRISBURG — Many Pennsylvania hospitals are on wobbly financial ground, according to a report released this week that found one in five are losing money. One-third of Pennsylvania’s hospitals didn’t make enough money from patients, insurers and the government to cover the cost of services last... - Meadville Tribune

May 24 High-profile votes, fights preview Wolf's challenges in June June is crunch time in the state Capitol and the challenges in front of Gov. Tom Wolf are becoming clearer in the Democrat's first go-round with budget negotiations... - AP

Tweak the governor’s budget Gov. Tom Wolf observed in his March budget address that “Pennsylvania will not improve until we rebuild the middle class.” His proposed budget lays a good foundation for that effort. To pay for investments in education, human services, job creation and community development — and to fill a budget hole — our new... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Here's how Pennsylvania school districts would spend extra money promised by Gov. Tom Wolf

Full-day kindergarten. More teachers. Textbooks aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards. And the list goes on. In March, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed hundreds of millions of dollars more for public education, and his education chief, Pedro Rivera, gave superintendents until May 15 to say how they'd use the money to improve... - Allentown Morning Call

May 22 John Hanger tells local business leaders that state budget will benefit the region The “transformative and honest” state budget proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf would be good for Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, John Hanger, secretary of policy and planning, told more than 100 business and civic leaders gathered Thursday for release of a new report on the region’s... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

GOP pension fix tells state, school workers to pay extra Solutions to Pennsylvania’s $50 billion pension crisis remain a jumble of disjointed pieces as lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf advance conflicting proposals in the run-up to next month’s budget deadline. Just months into his first term, Wolf wants to borrow money to take a whack... - Meadville Tribune

Upper Darby schools to Wolf: We need help Visiting one of the state's most financially challenged school districts Thursday, Gov. Wolf heard a simple message: We need money. At Stonehurst Hills Elementary School, teachers and administrators met with Wolf to discuss how his proposed education-funding plan would benefit the... - Philadelphia Inquirer

May 21 Rally backs Wolf’s budget Sharon Pope's eighth-grade son Holdon attends Altoona Area Junior High School under an Individual Education Plan to help deal with his multiple learning disabilities. - Altoona Mirror

Here's why the Senate GOP's pension reform plan is the best choice for Pa. workers, taxpayers: Jake Corman On May 13, the state Senate passed an aggressive plan to modernize the state's public employee pension systems. The bill is a historic plan that reflects the seriousness of the situation we face with pensions. The state's pension obligations are staggering. This year alone, we face a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

May 20 Wolf, Pittsburgh school administrators discuss proposed funding Gov. Tom Wolf called for increased accountability to accompany a proposed increase in state funding for education during a panel discussion with administrators from Pittsburgh Public Schools. “I need you to do a good job,” he told attendees during Tuesday’s panel. “But you can’t do a good job if you’re... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 19 Schools waiting for state funds May 19 Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed increasing education funding, but to get the money school districts are going to have to justify it. more »» - Warren Times Observer

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf wants state to share in lottery luck HARRISBURG — If you win big money playing the Pennsylvania Lottery, the state doesn't get a dime in tax. Gov. Tom Wolf wants to change that. Under a little-noticed part of Wolf's proposed $30 billion- plus state budget, the state would apply income tax to lottery winnings over $600 for... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf snaps back at critics of gas extraction tax plan Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday fired back at state business groups in what's become a war of words over his proposal to increase taxes on the natural gas industry. Wolf's office released a letter that he sent

to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and 16 other organizations calling on them to stop... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

May 18 Letter to the Editor: It’s way past time to reform Pennsylvania’s property tax Since 1991, when Pennsylvania eliminated its school funding formula for politics, Monroe County taxpayers have paid over $2.5 billion more than the rest of the state’s taxpayers, crushing our economy, killing our construction industry, and destroying home values.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Support Wolf budget There is a great deal of discussion and debate over our governor's proposed budget. Open discourse of important issues is vital for democracy to thrive and succeed. Gov. Wolf's budget proposal will mean $1.7 million more in education funding for Williamsport schools, while providing Williamsport... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

PA Fact Finder: Would the average homeowner get a more than 50 percent property tax cut under Wolf's plan? Gov. Tom Wolf has promised big property tax cuts if lawmakers pass his budget. In his March 3 budget address, Wolf said his plan would reduce the average homeowner's "property taxes by 50 percent, putting more than $1,000 each year into their pockets." His administration and campaign committee have often repeated a version of... - York Daily

Now it's the House's turn on pensions - if they can pull it off: Tony May By Tony May In Italy, they would call the Senate GOP's version of pension reform a "patate bollente" – or "hot potato." TONY MAY HEADSHOT ART.jpegTony May (PennLive File)PennLive.com file The Republican-controlled chamber couldn't get rid of it fast enough last... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pension reform should top state budget agenda May 18 Pennsylvania has a $50 billion public employee pension debt. That's a lot of zeroes. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

May 17 Brian O'Neill: Proposed tax swap adds up to complex, tantalizing effort It’s not three-card monte. It’s three-tax monte. Keep your eye on it because this game has just begun in Harrisburg. As in the classic con, the object is to find the money card. In this case, that would be the tax you’d most prefer to go down, or at least not go... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Corman defends pension bill, says Wolf's budget lacks votes Gov. Tom Wolf may not like a Senate GOP plan to overhaul pension benefits for public school and state government employees, but Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman warns that Wolf's budget plan has zero votes among the chamber's Republicans... - AP

Tax reform cooperaiton surfaces It was a different tale for the two legislative chambers last week as the House passed a major bill shifting school property taxes and the Senate passed an overhaul of state public pension plans. The House action reflects a degree of bipartisan cooperation that’s... - Scranton Times

What's gotten into the Legislature? They seem motivated. After years of seeing political inertia seemingly rule the day at the state Capitol, Pennsylvanians have been witnessing some action on big-ticket items lately. Less than a quarter of the way into the two- year legislative session that began in January and already, the House or Senate have voted on pension... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Progress on big issues? The state Legislature appears to be as unconventional as it usually is unproductive. Suddenly, the Republican majorities in both houses have begun to move on big issues after sitting on them for four years with a Republican governor who would have signed off on most of them.... - Scranton Times

May 15 Scott Petri says governor's spending plan a non-starter Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed $33.8 billion state budget for 2015-16 has virtually no chance of passing without some changes, state Rep. Scott Petri, R-178, of Upper Makefield, told about 18 of his constituents during a town hall meeting Thursday night at the Free Library of Northampton... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

May 13 Wolf budget poses challenges for small businesses in Mon Valley Alex Halper has a distinctive outlook on the state of affairs in the state capital. “It's an exciting time in Harrisburg, and that's the nicest way I can put it,” said the director of government affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Speaking at a luncheon meeting of the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of... - Tarentum Valley News Dispatch

Tax relief, and school funding THE ISSUE School district property tax rates have increased an average of 26.5 percent across Lancaster County since Act 1 took effect seven years ago — well above the inflation rate of 17.4 percent for the same time span. The state House passed property tax reform on a 109-86 roll call vote... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

May 6 Gov. Wolf stays generally true to tax vision (YDR opinion) Here's a little secret that is guaranteed to leave you shocked — shocked! Politicians often don't exactly keep their campaign promises. Not so shocked? Well, we meant that in a Capt. Renault/"Casablanca" sense. Usually, the best we can hope for is that elected officials will remain... - York Daily

In Pa., go for spending cuts, not tax increases By David Williams Pennsylvania is not different from any other state where legislators are confronted with decisions on whether to raise taxes or cut spending to balance their books. The easiest (and laziest) option is to raise taxes. Gov. Wolf seems to be taking the lazy way out by proposing a $4.5 billion... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Cigarette tax hike eyed to shore up budget HARRISBURG — Cigarette smokers could soon be asked to cough up $1 per pack to help close the state’s $2 billion budget shortfall, but health advocates say even an increase that dramatic is not enough. Gov. Tom Wolf proposes a 62.5 percent hike in the cigarette tax —... - Meadville Tribune

Burden for Wolf’s tax plan will hit almost everyone As Gov. Tom Wolf's tax changes dominate state budget talk in the coming weeks, you will be hearing, over and over, that the burden is being placed on the more affluent to the benefit of lower economic classes. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

May 5 With Sen. Browne's motorcycle accident, a key Republican player is benched: John L. Micek It was the worst thing that could have happened for Senate Republicans - and at the worst possible time. And it could have been a lot worse. A lot worse. With news Saturday that Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, had been hospitalized because of injuries he suffered in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's budget expands long-term care for Pennsylvania seniors: PennLive letters Gov. Tom Wolf's budget takes significant steps to protect seniors. To this end, one of the top priorities of this administration is to provide greater choices for seniors as they age and need care. The governor's budget expands long-term care for older Pennsylvanians, who... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Tom Wolf says Pennsylvania's revenue surge doesn't affect his tax recipe State revenues are surging to the finish line. A new report from Pennsylvania's Independent Fiscal Office shows that state general fund revenues are now likely to finish the 2014-15 fiscal year June 30

some $594 million over its initial projections. That's good short-term news that also puts the IFO's latest estimate $374... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

May 4 Drive to depoliticize school funds adds intrigue in Pa. Capitol HARRISBURG — It’s the first thing each Pennsylvania state lawmaker checks in a governor’s brand- new budget proposal: How much more money the public schools in their districts would get. Then it’s closely watched until the governor signs a budget bill... - AP

OP-ED: Wolf’s education agenda hurts Pa. families Gov. Tom Wolf has wasted little time crystalizing his vision for public education — and it doesn’t look promising for families supportive of school choice. First, the Wolf administration catered to anti-reform interests in the troubled School District of Philadelphia. After the city’s School... - Pottstown Mercury

Independent report contains good short-term budget news for state HARRISBURG -- The state’s bleak budget outlook got some good news today -- at least in the short- term. Facing an estimated budget shortfall of around $1.5 billion, the commonwealth’s Independent Fiscal Office says the state has more revenue so far this year than expected, and has revised its revenue... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Why Gov. Tom Wolf changed his mind on his campaign income tax plan When Tom Wolf talked about income taxes as a candidate for governor, he said a married couple earning between $140,000 and $180,000 a year shouldn't pay any more in taxes. He said he considered that middle class, and he proposed a tax plan he said would give the middle class its first... - York Daily

Pressure building for state budget Lawmakers have no shortage of big-ticket proposals to consider in the two months leading to the June 30 budget deadline. There’s a pension crisis and a $2.3 billion budget shortfall. There’s talk of shifting away from property taxes, as well as the unending debate over dismantling the state liquor monopoly. And first-year... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

May 3 Why Erie schools will benefit from Wolf's budget: Jay Badams Why Erie schools will benefit from Wolf's budget: Jay Badams - Erie Times-News

Adkisson Column: Numbers make the budget Which states have the highest number of government employees per capita, red states or blue states? Surprisingly, it is red states; states that are perceived to be the most “conservative.” But a new study (census of government data 2012) reveals that social and... - Carlisle Sentinel

Wolf budget must solve pension crisis: Gene Barr When Gov. Tom Wolf gave his budget address in March, he proposed significant changes to Pennsylvania's tax structure and increases in many of the taxes that employers pay, in order to raise nearly $5 billion in new state spending. The income and sales tax increases that were proposed have... - Erie Times-News

State revenues exceed projections by $569M through April Pennsylvania is getting some good state budget news... - AP

May 1 Gov. Wolf's budget is like a balloon Imagine a balloon filled with air. When one end of the balloon is squeezed smaller, the other end becomes larger. This happens because there is a limited amount of balloon and air to go around. Now, picture your paycheck and picture Gov. Wolf's proposed budget. When... - Allentown Morning Call

For Wolf, pulling a rabbit from his budget hat won't be easy as he thinks: Dennis Roddy Gov. Tom Wolf is finding out that the occult arts no longer extend to budgetary matters in the way

they once did. For a century now, the occupants of boardrooms and committee rooms have dazzled the populace with demonstrations of how lower taxes increase revenues, lavish spending on the unnecessary spurs productivity, and lower... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Liquor reform could hinge, again, on state budget For four years, liquor reform advocates argued conditions were perfect to get Pennsylvania out of the booze business. Pro-privatization Gov. Tom Corbett could count on Republicans in the House and Senate to help the party finally make good on its decades-long goal. Or... - Allentown Morning Call

Wolf's budget: Inconvenient truth The truth is that all Pennsylvanians, even those with the lowest incomes, would pay more under Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget. Yet so set are he and his supporters on taxing more and spending more that they'll distort and deny that truth — even when it comes from the state's... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Survey asks residents about Wolf’s proposed budget The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry is surveying members about their views about Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed $29.8 billion budget proposal. Survey respondents are asked whether or not they think the state income tax should be raised from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent and if the sales tax... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

April 30 Governor wants to reinvest in higher education Students have borne the brunt of massive cuts to higher education over the last four years. Under the previous governor, more than $90 million was cut from schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and tuition increased by $1,016. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed investments in higher education, as well as... - Washington Observer-Reporter

The governor’s budget makes drug programs a priority Substance abuse and addiction afflict at least one out of four families in Pennsylvania. Like diabetes or heart disease, addiction is a treatable disease, but far too often it is left untreated, resulting in unnecessary and tragic death. Substance abuse and addiction have crippling impacts on... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One speaker at hearing on optimistic school budget The Philadelphia School Reform Commission held a hearing Wednesday night to gather comments on its proposed $2.9 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. But only one speaker - retired teacher Karel Kilimnik - weighed in at the sparsely attended session.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

April 28 Pa. audit raps state universities for tuition hikes Pennsylvania's 14 state universities raised tuition 27 percent over six years, and a state audit report released Monday says that while stagnant state aid is largely to blame, the system should do better. "Despite laudable efforts to hold down costs, the state system must look... - Philadelphia Inquirer

John Hanger: Gov. Wolf's budget a good deal for Pennsylvanians Gov. Wolf has proposed a bold and comprehensive budget that aims to create fairness, provide tax relief for seniors and families, and make the necessary investments in education that will benefit all of Pennsylvania. Further, it closes the $2.3 billion structural deficit and ends our... - Allentown Morning Call

April 27 Work together on state budget To the Editor: Pennsylvania has been through a rough 13 years. It’s time we start looking forward and allow the retrogression from the past to dissipate. We have a new governor in office: a new sheriff in town. Therefore, we need all hands on deck from our House and Senate right now so the budget can be... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

All income levels to feel tax pain When he first proposed his budget, Gov. Tom Wolf faced an uphill battle in getting all of it approved. The hill may have gotten a little steeper with the release this week of a report by the Independent Fiscal Office analyzing the effect of his tax proposals.... - New Castle News

Wolf administration disputes independent report on taxes Gov. Tom Wolf's administration is pushing back on an independent analysis that found the governor's proposed budget would cause a net tax burden increase for all income groups. During a Friday conference call, John Hanger, secretary of planning and policy, said the administration disputed key findings of the report, and he... - York Daily

Wolf’s budget would raise taxes for all, report says HARRISBURG — Since he unveiled his budget proposal last month, Gov. Tom Wolf has said middle- class families can expect more spending power due to tax cuts they would receive. “Overall, my budget will reduce the average homeowner’s property taxes by 50 percent, putting more than $1,000 each year in their... - Levittown Intelligencer

Wolf budget right approach, even if all Pennsylvanians must pay THE ISSUE The Independent Fiscal Office, a nonpartisan state agency, reported late last week that Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget would mean “a net tax increase for all (income) groups” in Pennsylvania, “including a small net increase for the lowest income group.” The Wolf... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

April 26 Wolf's tax plan will hit all income levels, analysis says The sprawling package of tax changes Gov. Tom Wolf is seeking may not necessarily spare lower- income households, as his administration contends, the Legislature's fiscal analysis arm said this week... - AP

Report says higher incomes will feel more of Wolf tax plan The Independent Fiscal Office says that Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed tax changes would result in at least a small overall tax increase for Pennsylvanians in all income ranges but that the cost would fall much more heavily on higher-income residents. Residents with incomes of more than $100,000 would bear nearly two-thirds... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Taxes would rise across all income levels under Gov. Tom Wolf's budget, report says Since he unveiled his budget proposal last month, Gov. Tom Wolf has said middle-class families can expect more spending power due to tax cuts they would receive. "Overall, my budget will reduce the average homeowner's property taxes by 50 percent, putting more than $1,000 each year in their pockets," Wolf said... - Allentown Morning Call

Top Wolf aide stands by tax-shift claims despite independent report finding of higher net taxes for all income groups Gov. Tom Wolf's administration responded to a potential political body-blow to its tax reform proposals Friday, with top aides arguing some of the underlying assumptions in a new report that says the Wolf plan will result in higher net tax burdens for even middle-income families are "shaky."... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The only thing we have to fear is Tom Wolf's tax plan Kermit Bell is worried about his mother, Louise. Like many seniors, Louise Bell, 90, sold her house when she moved to a Palmyra, Pa., nursing home and lives on a fixed income. But if the proposed sales tax expansion contained in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal becomes law, her nursing home costs will... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

April 24 Business leaders optimistic on growth, wary of more taxes, spending from Wolf While the Pennsylvania business climate is warming, business leaders still cautioned the potential

negative effects the state could face under new governmental leadership. In a candid conversation, the House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, welcomed business association leaders... - State College Centre Daily Times

Independent Fiscal Office says Wolf's proposal would increase tax burden A report from the state's Independent Fiscal Office says the tax burden for all income groups in Pennsylvania would increase under the governor's budget plan, although the director of the office said the increase for the lowest income group is so small that it is basically a wash.... - Hanover Evening Sun

The other $100,000 Club: Report disputes Wolf's tax break claims An independent agency's review of Gov. Tom Wolf's tax proposals contradicts his assertion that families of four who own their home and make less than $100,000 would pay less in net taxes under his proposed tax plan. The Independent Fiscal Office released a report on Thursday indicating that... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 23 Hanger pitches governor's budget plan in Clarion Hanger pitches governor's budget plan in Clarion By Tom DiStefano CLARION NEWS Writer CLARION "Do you want a traditional budget or do you want a transformative budget that will allow Pennsylvania to grow its economy and jobs?" John Hanger, secretary of policy and planning for Gov. Tom Wolf came to... - Clarion News

Ahead of budget talks, Wolf says Pa. faces stark fiscal realities (Harrisburg) -- With a little more than two months to go before the state budget deadline, Governor Tom Wolf has the tough task of trying to convince the Republican-controlled legislature to support his proposed tax plans. The governor says while no one wants to raise taxes, the commonwealth is... - WITF

Good news It’s probably a little too early to celebrate, but there does seem to be room for a little cautious optimism over talks between Gov. Wolf and Republican leaders in the state Legislature. There have been a lot of concerns that it’s going to be very difficult for the two sides to come to any type of agreement on a new budget before... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Our Opinion: Take politics out of state education funding Begin here: “Wilkes-Barre Area School Board” is not an immutable edifice. It is men and women who come and go, exemplifying democratic representation. This particular iteration, while still exhibiting problematic politics, has taken actions meriting — and getting —... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

April 22 0422Tallman Governor Tom Wolf said his budget proposal "reduces the total tax burden on the average middle- class homeowner." Judging from a telephone town hall meeting I recently conducted and other gatherings I have hosted, a significant number of people don't see it that way.... - Gettysburg Times

School districts, parents will take school-funding challenge to state Supreme Court Sixteen years after the state Supreme Court found it lacked a yardstick to assess the fairness of Pennsylvania's education funding scheme, lawyers challenging the system say they're hopeful the high court will now see the issue differently. After a Commonwealth Court panel on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by parents... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania's school funding dispute headed to Supreme Court HARRISBURG — A panel of judges ruled Tuesday that the power to make decisions on school funding rests with the General Assembly and not the courts. The ruling from Commonwealth Court sets up an appeal to the state Supreme Court in a lawsuit claiming that Pennsylvania’s funding system fails to... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

April 21 Elizabeth Stelle: Elderly, working families suffer under Gov. Wolf's Pa. budget Kermit Bell is worried about his 90-year-old mother, Louise. Like many seniors, Louise Bell sold her house when she moved to a Palmyra, Lebanon County, nursing home and lives on a fixed income. But if the sales tax expansion contained in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal becomes law, her... - Allentown Morning Call

Wolf's sales tax hike will make quality nursing care more expensive: PennLive letters It's disappointing to read the editorial board of PennLive/The Patriot-News is in favor of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal to expand the sales tax to include services, such as nursing home care, assisted living, personal care, home health care and others. This will put an enormous burden on countless Pennsylvania seniors and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

OP-ED: Wolf’s budget has unintended consequences Kermit Bell is worried about his 90-year-old mother, Louise. Like many seniors, Louise Bell sold her house when she moved to a Palmyra nursing home and lives on a fixed income. But if the proposed sales tax expansion contained in Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal becomes law, her nursing... - Pottstown Mercury

Gov. Wolf's budget delivers more in sales tax hikes than in property tax relief Many Pennsylvanians across every income level stand to lose big under Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal — especially seniors in nursing homes and families, like mine, with two young kids in day care. I’ll pay an extra $1,000 in new day care taxes alone and seniors like... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

April 20 Editorial: Wolf and GOP are not that far apart on a budget plan Take a look at the calendar. It says April. It’s about 2 1/2 months until the deadline for passage of a state budget. Now take a look at what’s going on in Harrisburg. Lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf seem to actually be working toward a budget. The governor and legislative leaders even sat down last week to start... - West Chester Daily Local News

A jobs-producing state budget Improving the competitiveness of the state's business climate is one of Gov. Wolf's priorities. That's why the governor's bold first budget proposal is designed to improve the way Pennsylvania taxes corporations and levels the playing field for all businesses. By making Pennsylvania a place... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

You might feel a slight pinch - Wolf's budget hits hospitals, report: Monday Morning Coffee Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers. In another sure sign that we're getting deeper into budget season, the constellation of business and industry groups with something to gain -- or, more often lose -- from a completed spending plan are making their voices heard.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wozniak praises Wolf spending plan, speaks about other state and local issues State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, talks about Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal and other issues with The Tribune-Democrat’s editorial board. The Johnstown region, in many ways, provides a microcosm of the major issues facing Pennsylvania today. Problems exist with blight, drug-related crime, poverty, an underdeveloped... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

EDITORIAL: Budget work is too important to delay Take a look at the calendar. It says April. It’s about 2½ months until the deadline for passage of a state budget. Now take a look at what’s going on in Harrisburg. Lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf seem to actually be working toward a budget. The governor and legislative leaders even sat down last week to start... - Pottstown Mercury

More state funds sought to fight drug epidemic A tiny piece of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed 2015-16 state budget was tragically irrelevant yet vitally

important news to Coleen Watchorn. An overdose of heroin and the prescription medicine Xanax killed her son, Stephen Watchorn Jr., in August of 2012. Recently, after years of stagnant... - Reading Eagle

Nursing home tax: Will Wolf proposal put well-off seniors on faster path to poor house? A trade association says Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal to apply the state sales tax to nursing home and other residential care for seniors is a bad deal. Ronald Barth, the CEO of LeadingAge PA, called the proposed tax a "disaster" which could add up to $7,000 to the annual costs of seniors,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 19 Pa. taxpayers deserve a state budget that defuses the pension bomb: Gene Barr By Gene Barr When Gov. Tom Wolf gave his budget address last month, he proposed significant changes to Pennsylvania's tax structure and increases in many of the taxes that employers pay in order to raise close to $5 billion in new state spending. The income and sales tax increases that have been proposed have the real... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Editorial: Eliminate property levy, include equitable distribution In the end, you wind up with a plan that is equitable and sustainable and eliminates the property tax. - Reading Eagle

An on-time state budget? Maybe. But whose?: John L. Micek So here's one prominent Republican leader on the state budget: "The people of Pennsylvania don't want to see gridlock like we saw in Washington, D.C., when we had a Democratic president and a Republican Congress. We will not do that to the people of Pennsylvania. We want Pennsylvania to move... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania hospitals worried about Gov. Wolf's budget plan Within the nearly 1,000-page state budget proposal from Gov. Tom Wolf’s new administration, a single line item at the bottom of one page caught Denis Lukes’ attention. The item, under the heading of fee-for-service medical assistance, recommends raising $130 million “to provide for revenue maximization... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf, GOP leaders have plenty to chew over on budget table Pennsylvania measures its state budget deficit in the billions, is led by a Democratic governor and Republican Legislature who have much different ideas about policy and faces ballooning public sector pension payments that are squeezing the finances of state government and local school boards... - AP

Governor Wolf's outreach to lawmakers contrasts with Corbett's style Republican Aaron Kaufer, a freshman House member from Luzerne County, recalls his surprise in January when he opened his office door to find Gov. Tom Wolf standing there. Wolf since has visited Kaufer five times. It's rare for a newcomer to get a visit from the governor, much less six.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

April 17 Our view: Get to work to deliver state budget, on time Education spending. Property and business tax changes. Pension reform. Add up those issues in Pennsylvania, and you have a formula for gridlock -- or a path to bipartisan compromise to deliver a state budget by the June 30 deadline. When Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his budget on March 4, one word... - Erie Times-News

Gov. Wolf, Rep. Saylor in same ballpark on property tax relief (YDR opinion) Take a look at the calendar. It says April. It's about 2 1/2 months until the deadline for passage of a state budget. Now take a look at what's going on in Harrisburg. Lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf seem to actually be working toward a budget. The governor and legislative leaders even sat down last week to start... - York Daily

An on-time state budget? Maybe. But whose?: John L. Micek So here's one prominent Republican leader on the state budget: "The people of Pennsylvania don't

want to see gridlock like we saw in Washington, D.C., when we had a Democratic president and a Republican Congress. We will not do that to the people of Pennsylvania. We want Pennsylvania to move... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Rep. Phillips-Hill: Let's get to the root of the school funding problem (letter) Members of the General Assembly who represent legislative districts in southcentral Pennsylvania receive complaints about property taxes on a regular basis. We hear stories of senior citizens barely paying their mortgage, struggling to make ends meet and, in some cases, losing their... - York Daily

Readers’ Views: Appeal for budget plan support Recently, Republican officials from around Chester County gathered to criticize Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal. The Wolf budget is a bold plan to bring much-needed fairness to our state tax code and increased opportunity for all. Voters removed a sitting governor from office for the... - West Chester Daily Local News

State legislators see possible increase in education funding this year, but questions linger No promises were made and no specific amounts were mentioned, but a group of state legislators who gathered Thursday night to discuss public education said they believe an increase in education funding could come this year. “I am optimistic. I really believe we will get something done,”... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

April 16 State budget negotiations heating up HARRISBURG — The long march to reaching a final budget officially has begun in the state Capitol. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Legislature's Republican leaders met for the first time Tuesday to set parameters for budget negotiations and form panels focused on financial and policy issues outlined in the governor's... - Allentown Morning Call

Our view: Get to work to deliver state budget, on time Education spending. Property and business tax changes. Pension reform. Add up those issues in Pennsylvania, and you have a formula for gridlock -- or a path to bipartisan compromise to deliver a state budget by the June 30 deadline. When Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his budget on March 4, one word... - Erie Times-News

Pa. Taxpayers will find a lot to like in Gov. Wolf's budget: Michael Wood By Michael Wood Last November, Pennsylvania voters chose by a large margin a new governor who campaigned on increasing funding for classrooms, enacting a severance tax on gas drillers and making our tax system fairer. Newly elected Gov. Wolf delivered on each of these items - and more - in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

It's a start What a difference a month makes in Harrisburg. Last month, Gov. Wolf was widely reviled by Republican lawmakers for his plan to increase sales and income taxes in exchange for a reduction in property taxes. “I cannot support a budget that takes money out of the hands of... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

April 15 Pa. Taxpayers will find a lot to like in Gov. Wolf's budget: Michael Wood Last November, Pennsylvania voters chose by a large margin a new governor who campaigned on increasing funding for classrooms, enacting a severance tax on gas drillers and making our tax system fairer. Newly elected Gov. Wolf delivered on each of these items - and more - in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

What does Pa. get for its investment in state universities? Robots, jobs and oh yeah, education Representatives of the 14 state universities came to the state Capitol on Wednesday to share a message about their impact they have on Pennsylvania's economy. A recently completed economic

impact study found that Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education generates more than $6.7 billion annually in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. House Republicans Still Tweaking Their Rival Plan For Statewide Property Tax Relief HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — The chairman of the Finance Committee of the Pennsylvania House says his panel could vote as soon as next week on a Republican alternative to Governor Wolf’s school property tax relief proposal. That alternative proposal was rolled out before the committee today.... - KYW News Radio 1060

Wolf, GOP leaders hold first budget meeting HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf met behind closed doors Tuesday with Republicans who control the legislature to jump-start talks on what both sides agree will be a hard-fought deal on a state budget. In their first talks - after weeks of public promotion and pushback on both... - Philadelphia Inquirer

April 14 Republicans begin tug of war with Gov. Tom Wolf for budget work group priorities The issues that Democrats and Republicans clash over the most will soon get their own budget work groups assigned to them as Gov. Tom Wolf works with lawmakers to pass a spending plan. Wolf met with Republican leaders Tuesday morning in a closed-door discussion to talk about budget proposals and priorities and how they'd... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf, GOP are really not that far apart on budget issues (YDR opinion) Cheers to Gov. Tom Wolf for visiting York College to highlight the good things happening at the school's J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship. He also took the opportunity during the visit to the school to talk up his budget proposal — as he's been doing during various events for weeks.... - York Daily

Sen. Scott Wagner wants to know the strings included in Wolf's proposed state budget It became clear to Sen. Scott Wagner last week that pieces of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed $29.9 billion general fund budget plan come with strings attached. With budget talks between the governor and legislative leaders expected to get underway on Tuesday, Wagner, R-York County, wonders what other... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

House GOP plan to cut property tax rates receives hearing A House Republican property tax reform plan under consideration would attack the 30-year-old problem of rising property taxes by shifting the burden of funding schools off taxing properties and on to income and purchases. The plan, sponsored by Rep. Stan Saylor, R-Red Lion, would raise the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GOP leaders meet with Gov. Tom Wolf for closed-door budget discussion Gov. Tom Wolf met with Republican leaders Tuesday morning to discuss the upcoming budget and how they may work together. The 30-minute, closed-door meeting was held in the governor's office in the Capitol. Republican leaders from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 13 5 things at least as fast as an on-time Pa. state budget THE ISSUE G. Terry Madonna, a Franklin & Marshall College professor widely considered an expert on the workings of state government, says “the odds are overwhelming” that a Pennsylvania budget will not be completed by the June 30 deadline. State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, guesses lawmakers... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Gov. Wolf's corporate tax-cut plan will jump-start Pa's economy: Eileen McNulty Improving the competitiveness of the commonwealth's business climate is one of Governor Wolf's highest priorities. That's why the Governor's bold first budget proposal is designed to improve the way Pennsylvania taxes corporations and levels the playing field for... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf Organization's Michael Newsome named to Gov.-elect Tom Wolf's budget task force Michael Newsome, the executive vice president and chief financial officer at the Wolf Organization, will serve on a budget task force for Democratic Gov.-elect Tom Wolf. Wolf is the former chairman and CEO of the Wolf Organization, a kitchen cabinet and building products supplier. He plans to step down as... - York Daily

Pennsylvania must improve its business climate By Eileen McNulty Acting Secretary of Revenue Improving the competitiveness of the commonwealth’s business climate is one of Gov. Wolf’s highest priorities. That’s why the governor’s bold first budget proposal is designed to improve the way Pennsylvania taxes corporations and levels the playing field for all... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Sen. Scott Wagner wants to know the strings included in Wolf's proposed state budget It became clear to Sen. Scott Wagner last week that pieces of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed $29.9 billion general fund budget plan come with strings attached. With budget talks between the governor and legislative leaders expected to get underway on Tuesday, Wagner, R-York County, wonders what other... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Proposed tuition freeze is ground-breaking The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s decision to freeze tuition if Gov. Tom Wolf produces his proposed 11 percent state funding increase is ground-breaking not only because of the money, but because it is an entirely new approach for the largely struggling state system.... - Wilkes- Barre Citizens' Voice

April 12 Politics as Usual Democracy!? We don't need no stinking democracy It's budget time in the state Capitol. And that means the Legislature once again will use tax dollars to hold public hearings stacked against a governor's priorities that are embedded in his recommended spending plan.... - Allentown Morning Call

Budget rhetoric heating up in Harrisburg The first budget salvos have been launched in the state's annual verbal and ideological spending wars of spring. Will summer and Christmas suffer as a result for the governor, lawmakers and their employees? On Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf fired the first shot when he told The... - Allentown Morning Call

April 10 Gov. Wolf Visits a Philadelphia High School, Pushing For Better Education Funding Statewide PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf took a tour of a Philadelphia school this morning as part of his “Schools That Teach” program. Going class-to-class with city leaders, Wolf chatted with students and teachers at Kensington Health Sciences Academy, learning about the unique... - KYW News Radio 1060

State universities' board reluctantly gives Wolf an iffy tuition freeze pledge Students attending the 14 state universities next year may be paying the same tuition rate that they paid this year - or they may not. It all depends on whether the finalized state budget includes the $45.3 million increase that Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed for the system and if the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Stack: Wolf to increase school funding April 10 LEWISTOWN — On Thursday morning, Lt. Gov. Mike Stack spoke directly with the citizens for whom he is rallying — students. Stack arrived before lunch time to address a group of social studies and journalism students at Mifflin County High Schoo. more »»... - Lewistown Sentinel

Budget season Pennsylvania lawmakers will return to Harrisburg this month for a spring session that will be

dominated by Gov. Tom Wolf's expansive state budget plan. Here's a look at some of the major issues sure to frame the upcoming debate. JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf praises universities system OK of tuition freeze HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf is applauding the board that oversees Pennsylvania's 14 state- owned universities for tentatively agreeing to a tuition freeze in exchange for a $45 million increase in the system's appropriation... - AP

April 9 Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities consider tuition freeze The board of governors overseeing Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities is expected today to consider a resolution that would freeze tuition next year provided Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed record- setting boost in campus funding passes the Legislature. Mr. Wolf’s representative, in urging adoption of the freeze, told State... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Public disclosure of education spending urged at policy hearing WILKES-BARRE — State Rep. Mike Sturla, D-96, Lancaster, offered some advice on how to advance Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to cut property taxes and increase education funding. During a Democratic policy committee hearing at Wilkes University on Tuesday, Sturla told two local school district superintendents to publicly... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

GOP leader: Wolf's budget prediction 'premature' HARRISBURG - House Majority Leader Dave Reed (R., Indiana) said Wednesday that it was "premature" for Gov. Wolf to predict that a state budget would not be enacted on time this year. Reed told Capitol reporters he believed Wolf's prediction - which came in a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

School officials express hope with Wolf's budget After years of financial struggles, school officials from around the region said Wednesday they are hopeful that Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed state budget will help districts cope with ballooning costs and reverse staffing cuts. During a public hearing organized by Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton,... - Scranton Times

Budget rhetoric heats up in Harrisburg The first budget salvos have been launched in the state's annual verbal and ideological spending wars of spring. Will summer and Christmas suffer as a result for the governor, lawmakers and their employees? On Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf fired the first shot when he told The... - Allentown Morning Call

Lawmakers weigh in as Wolf, GOP appear headed for budget showdown WILKES-BARRE — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has presented his first state budget and now must navigate the political waters of a Republican-majority legislature to get it passed. Wolf’s press secretary, Jeff Sheridan, said Wednesday his boss wants to get Pennsylvania off the “status quo” and move forward.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Democrat predicts drawn-out budget battle A top state House Democrat predicted a long, drawn-out battle over Gov. Tom Wolf’s first proposed budget that will include Republican legislators passing a budget they claim is balanced but really isn’t. Mr. Wolf’s ensuing veto will set the stage for a protracted standoff... - Scranton Times

State universities' board narrowly approves conditional tuition freeze pledge After another hourlong debate, Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education board on Thursday voted 9-8 to approve a resolution stating its intent to freeze tuition next year if Gov. Tom Wolf's $45.3 million funding increase for the 14 state universities materializes in the final state... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania budget standards on pensions State Senate Republican leader Jake Corman says “pensions is the budget” (“Senate Leader Links Pension Overhaul, Vote on New Budget,” March 24). This begs the question why the four budgets passed during the term of his fellow Republican, former Gov. Tom Corbett,... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

April 8 Pa. budget on time? Not likely, Wolf says HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf said Tuesday that he doubts the state will enact the next fiscal year's budget by the June 30 deadline, a prediction that signaled a protracted and partisan fight building in the Capitol. The Democratic governor, whose $29.9 billion spending plan has already... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Schools urged to assemble spending plan WILKES-BARRE — State Rep. Mike Sturla, a Democrat from Lancaster, offered some advice on how to advance Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to cut property taxes and increase education funding. During a Democratic policy committee hearing at Wilkes University on Tuesday, Sturla told two local school district superintendents to publicly... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Letter to the Editor: Advocate of property tax elimination calls Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget a ‘scam’ Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget acknowledges the problem of property taxes, but his proposals fall short of the goal. His proposals increase the personal income tax rate, from 3.07 percent to 3.70 percent, to raise $2.41 billion. His plan calls for using only $2.14 billion of that to reduce, but not replace, school district property taxes.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Sen. Jake Corman hopes to work with Gov. Tom Wolf on Pennsylvania budget, pension reform State Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, has nice things to say about Pennsylvania’s new governor. “He’s an affable man. He wants to do the right thing,” he told the Centre Daily Times editorial board as he sat down to talk about issues important to the state and his district.... - State College Centre Daily Times

Eric Menzer: Gov. Wolf's budget can help turn around struggling cities such as York (column) For over 15 years, civic leaders in York have put our community under a microscope. Efforts such as Better York's Rusk Reports, the Yorkcounts Indicators Project, the Healthy York County Coalition and others have applied our best local thinking and national experts to the task of... - York Daily

Wolf sees budget talks blowing past start of new fiscal year HARRISBURG, Pa. — Gov. Tom Wolf says he doesn't expect a state budget to be finished by the start of the upcoming fiscal year... - AP

Wolf passes the collection plate to promote his budget plan Recent fund-raising emails that have gone out from Gov. Tom Wolf's campaign committee has raised more than a few eyebrows by its request for donations to help the governor's $33.7 billion budget package get passed. It has left some wondering if Wolf is blurring the lines between... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 7 Gas tax can't ignore prices The trouble with Gov. Wolf's natural-gas tax is that it wasn't imposed five years ago. Thanks to the Rendell administration's halfhearted support for a tax and the Corbett administration's misguided opposition, Harrisburg slumbered - and schools and other services suffered - while the Marcellus... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Secrecy surrounding union contracts' costs sparks legislation from GOP Gov. Tom Wolf's budget secretary's refusal to say how much state employee labor agreements currently being negotiated are anticipated to cost next year has sparked calls for changing the state's public employee collective bargaining process. Two Republican senators on Monday began seeking support from their Senate... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Local expert, lawmakers predict a long budget season We know what Tom Wolf wants. The freshman governor has proposed a spending plan that would reduce property taxes by increasing state sales and personal incomes taxes. He is calling for a new tax on natural-gas drillers, cutting business taxes, hiking the minimum wage and strengthening environmental regulations.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

York County senator assails legislative decisions in Harrisburg Newtown >> Sen. Scott Wagner, R-28, of York County, spoke out against current legislative decisions in Harrisburg saying decisions where politicians make decisions based on special interest must end. “We need more men and women in Harrisburg who are willing to make tough... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

OP-ED: Wolf wants to take away local control of schools Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal should sound an alarm for Pennsylvania parents and taxpayers. The governor’s budget contains a litany of tax and spending increases, all of which serve to grow the size and scope of power of the government in Harrisburg. While tax increases generally harm investment and economic growth (and some... - Pottstown Mercury

April 6 Who wins in Gov. Tom Wolf's property tax plan? Gov. Tom Wolf calls it a tax cut. Legislative leaders call it a tax hike. It's clear that the Democratic governor's proposal to fund billions in school property tax cuts by raising the income and sales taxes - and expanding the number of products and services subject to the sales tax -... - Reading Eagle

Local lawmakers say Gov. Tom Wolf's property tax plan has potential Reducing property taxes. After four weeks of hearings, hundreds of hours of testimony and more than a few heated exchanges, local Republican lawmakers say that is the most attainable piece of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal. But nothing is a done deal.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Keep transportation money dedicated to road work Having spent a work life in the highway construction business, I was pleased with the initiative of the Pennsylvania Legislature to pass Act 89, the Transportation Funding Bill of 2013. It created a sustainable funding mechanism and went a long way toward shoring up our transportation system,... - Scranton Times

Editorial: Find funds for successful programs A week ago, officials in Snyder County highlighted an 18 percent decrease in juvenile delinquency cases within the county in 2013, attributable, they say, to success of proactive programs designed to strengthen the family system and offer the Valley’s youngsters a more structured avenue to... - Sunbury Daily Item

Property tax breaks remain focal point of state budget HARRISBURG — The debate over Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget enters a second month with a major focus on potential winners and losers under a proposed shift in who pays state taxes and school property taxes. The final week of legislative budget hearings focused on how taxpayers in... - Scranton Times

Can the Pa. budget process be fixed? HARRISBURG Bob Strauss has an idea. Ideas are what you'd expect from an award-winning economist who teaches at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. But Strauss has hit at the heart of the problem in this year's state budget season and at a way, he believes, to jump-start budget negotiations between a Republican-controlled... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

April 3 Greensburg Salem budget proposal would wipe out district reserves Crafting the Greensburg Salem School District's 2015-16 budget has meant balancing “the good, the bad, and the unknown,” as the district's cash reserves dwindle dangerously low, officials said this

week. Even the maximum 2.06-mill tax increase allowed by the state would barely... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

April 2 PHCA/CALM: Wolf budget good for frail elderly Stuart H. Shapiro, M.D., CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association and the Center for Assisted Living Management (PHCA/CALM), on March 3 issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2015-16 General Fund budget: “During his campaign, Gov. Wolf noted that... - biz570.com

Beware of plan for school property tax elimination Editor: Homeowners, beware of governor’s plan for school property tax elimination. Gov. Tom Wolf’s acknowledges the problem of property taxes, but his proposals falls short of that goal. His proposals increase the personal income tax to raise $2.41 billion by increasing the rate of 3.07 percent to... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

DN Editorial: The minus touch IF WE Philadelphians have a fault, it's that we put our blinders on when it comes to the rest of the state. That's a mistake. We are the state's largest county, but there are 66 more. We are all in the same boat called the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and our... - Philadelphia Daily News

In West Philadelphia, Gov. Wolf Urges More State Investment in Education PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf brought his “Jobs That Pay” tour to West Philadelphia today. Flanked by state senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila.) and City Council members Jannie Blackwell and Curtis Jones, the governor spoke to automotive tech... - KYW News Radio 1060

OP-ED: Don’t be fooled – Gov. Wolf’s budget will cost you These days, April Fools’ isn’t the only day you have to be on guard for potential pranks. As we move through budget season in the state legislature, don’t be tricked by phrases like “holistic budget” or “property tax relief.” In fact, under Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget, the last thing middle-class, working families and small... - Pottstown Mercury

Now the real work on the state budget begins (Harrisburg) -- State budget hearings have wrapped up. Now, the real work starts, as state lawmakers and Governor Tom Wolf face a three-month period of tense negotiations. Governor Tom Wolf rolled out an ambitious budget plan earlier this month. But, Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman says reality is going to have to... - WITF

Letter to the Editor: Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget offers ‘fresh start’ for Pennsylvania’s schools and taxpayers Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget plan proves that state government can invest in public education again. That’s the kind of budget I want in the school district where I live. In Luzerne County, Gov. Wolf’s budget will give our schools a combined funding increase of more than $13 million. We need that increase more than... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

April 1 Public session altered by Wolf HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf made his second official appearance on social media Tuesday at what was billed as a Facebook Town Hall but looked more like him being interviewed by an aide... - AP

Twitter town hall on education funding in Pa. Tuesday night This evening Policy and Planning Secretary John Hanger and Acting Education Secretary Pedro Rivera will chat on Twitter about the need for an equitable, accountable basic education funding formula. Twitter users and followers can follow the state Department of Education... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Wolf’s chief of staff touts tax relief package in upcoming budget proposal UPPER DARBY >> Gov. Tom Wolf’s chief of staff visited the Daily Times, a sister paper to The Phoenix Reporter & Item, on Friday to tout the governor’s budget proposal, calling the plan the largest tax relief package in many years. Wolf introduced his first budget on March 3, more than three months before... - Phoenixville News

Gov. Tom Wolf uses Facebook to field questions on budget Gov. Tom Wolf argued the case for his budget proposals in a virtual town hall Tuesday, answering questions about the plan in a live-streamed presentation on his Facebook page. The Democrat brought his bully pulpit to the social media venue just as the debates in a more traditional forum — the annual... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Does a 6.6% sales tax require minting a Pa. sixpence? Gov. Tom Wolf's 2015-16 budget proposes to raise the state's 6 percent sales tax to 6.6 percent, but isn't it really raising the rate to 7 percent ? How do you make change for less than a penny? "Do we create a Pennsylvania sixpence?" Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Luzerne County,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

7 things we learned from Gov. Tom Wolf's Facebook chat Gov. Tom Wolf logged onto Facebook Tuesday to answer questions about his state budget proposal. The York County Democrat invited visitors to his official Facebook page to submit questions about the $33 billion state spending plan he unveiled earlier this month. He then asked that they return to watch a live stream... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

LOWMAN S. HENRY: Republicans can’t get their act together There is an old saying in political circles that “perception is reality.” Like many old saws there is a lot of truth behind that saying. Perception is driven by messaging. It is not necessarily the best policy that prevails, but the policy that benefits from the most effective... - Pottstown Mercury

Simply unaffordable Budgets are never a pretty process, whether it is your personal spending plan, your family's, or your office budget. Over the past few weeks, lawmakers launched the task of mulling Governor Tom Wolf's proposed $33.8 billion spending plan. - Gettysburg Times

March 31 Two views, one solution State Senate Republicans apparently need a governor of the opposite party to convince them of their own party’s proposals. They are considering resurrecting a key provision of a pension reform plan that they failed to embrace after Republican former Gov. Tom Corbett first proposed it.... - Scranton Times

Joe Scott: Gov. Tom Wolf's budget a starting point for discussion Put me on the list of business people who do not agree with every element of Gov. Wolf's budget proposal. Even without conducting a survey, I am willing to bet that list is longer than the one that consists of people who are 100 percent on board with it. I heard him portray his proposal as... - Allentown Morning Call

Higher numbers for higher education: Wolf wants more money for colleges The words alone, pronounced by Gov. Tom Wolf during his 2015-16 budget proposal March 3, offered the state's financially starved higher >>>> Continue Reading Eagle: Jeremy Drey | The facade of Schaeffer Auditorium at Kutztown University. Kutztown, like the state system's other 13 schools, is... - Reading Eagle

Trust Pennsylvanians, not government, to lead the way By BOB DICK Policy analyst Commonwealth Foundation | 0 comments Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a budget with a spending rate clocking in at a blistering $1,000 per second. That means in the time it takes you to read this article, say three minutes, state government would spend a stunning... - Bradford Era

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives Rep. Paul Schemel — Last Tuesday, the House Judiciary and

Health committees met for the first in a series of several hearings on the use of medical cannabis. The hearing focused on views of the medical community, where studies have found... - Waynesboro Record Herald

March 30 Pennsylvania Poll Finds Early Support For Governor HARRISBURG, Pa. - Since unveiling his $30 billion budget proposal Governor Wolf has swept across the state in an attempt to garner support. The massive spending plan contains major school funding increases, large income and sales tax hikes, and school property tax cuts.... - WEARECENTRALPA.COM

Letters to the Editor 3/30/2015 Wolf plan helpful Editor: Jay Sweeney’s attack on Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget as harmful to the poor and workers is way off base (“Wolf copies GOP,” March 25). The governor’s plan does just the opposite, which is why many partisan Republicans are attacking him. First, Wolf’s budget helps workers by improving education of our... - Scranton Times

Democratic Governor, GOP Lawmakers Far Apart On Pa. Budget HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) – As budget hearings continued in the state capitol this past week, Republicans who control the legislature battled officials of the Democratic Wolf Administration over the implications of the governor’s far-reaching proposals to overhaul Pennsylvania taxes.... - KYW News Radio 1060

Politics victimizing Wolf's good budget Politics victimizingWolf’s good budget Arthur Richards Jr. Slippery Rock Township Why don’t our elected legislators forget they are Republicans and Democrats and become ordinary citizens working for the betterment of the commonwealth? Gov. Wolf has provided a budget with financial solutions. Wolf is a... - Sharon Herald

Big surpluses shrink HARRISBURG — The surplus kept by House lawmakers to get through a budget stalemate has shrunk by more than half since the figure reported by the most recent legislative audit. The uncommitted surplus for the House now stands at $31 million — down $42 million from the nearly $73 million surplus available at the end of... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Gov. Wolf's proposed sales tax hike: by the numbers Gov. Tom Wolf wants to raise the state sales tax from 6 percent to 6.6 percent, and if he gets his way, the sales tax would apply to more goods and services. It's part of the governor's plan to generate revenue for school property tax relief. By widening the reach of the sales tax to 45 goods and services... - Reading Eagle

Reasoned ultimatum As much as we don’t want to see another state government shutdown, we applaud the tough line Senate Republicans are taking on the state’s massively underfunded pension funds: no reform, no budget. That’s the ultimatum issued to Gov. Wolf, a Democrat confronted with a... - Levittown Intelligencer

Gov. Wolf’s chief of staff touts tax relief package in upcoming budget proposal UPPER DARBY >> Gov. Tom Wolf’s chief of staff visited The Mercury’s sister paper the Daily Times on Friday to tout the governor’s budget proposal, calling the plan the largest tax relief package in many years. Wolf introduced his first budget on March 3, more than three months before... - Pottstown Mercury

Wolf budget targets manufacturing HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget includes proposals to help Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector, but they are overshadowed by a raging debate over how businesses will fare with an overhaul of the state tax structure. The governor proposes a funding boost for manufacturing- related technology... - Scranton Times

So far, only taxes seem to be part of governor’s agenda So far, about the only thing we are sure of with Gov. Tom Wolf is that he wants Pennsylvania to tax its way out of a budget deficit and throw more money into public education when it hasn't been proven necessary. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Wolf's budget takes local control away from schools: Beth Anne Mumford By Beth Anne Mumford Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget proposal should sound an alarm for Pennsylvania parents and taxpayers. BETH ANNE MUMFORD HEADSHOT ART.jpegBeth Anne Mumford (submitted photo)John L. Micek | [email protected] The governor's budget contains a litany of tax and spending increases, all... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Fund schools, taper control There is scant doubt that Pennsylvanians want the state government to provide a higher percentage of funding for public schools. It’s a fundamental reason that Tom Wolf, rather than Tom Corbett, is the governor. But the focus on funding — revenue — has obscured another side of... - Scranton Times

Business leaders wary of proposed severance tax OAKDALE – The atmosphere was electric as House Speaker Mike Turzai kicked off a Friday forum on energy. “With our sizable reserves of natural gas, our manufacturing base and the number of small businesses involved, Pennsylvania has the opportunity to not only be a national energy leader, but an international leader,”... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Wolf hopes he'll strike gold in legislative mines Good will is worth its weight in gold in Pennsylvania. How valuable is it? Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is poised to spend $51.4 million in an apparent attempt to buy the affinity, if not necessarily the acquiescence, of the Republican-controlled state Legislature.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

March 27 Poll: Majority support Wolf on tax hikes, drilling tax Nearly 60 percent of Pennsylvania voters support Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for some tax increases and a severance tax on natural gas drilling, while just 49 percent support privatizing the state’s liquor stores, according to a new poll released Thursday. Franklin & Marshall College’s latest poll found that a majority of... - Ellwood City Ledger

Budget trades: Wolf and the GOP must start brokering soon The 18th century Irish statesman Edmund Burke has a lesson for Pennsylvania’s public officials: All government — indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act — is founded on compromise and barter. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf wants a 2015-16 budget that sends more tax revenue... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

So far, only taxes seem to be part of governor’s agenda So far, about the only thing we are sure of with Gov. Tom Wolf is that he wants Pennsylvania to tax its way out of a budget deficit and throw more money into public education when it hasn't been proven necessary. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Crunching Wolf's budget numbers: Who benefits locally? Click here for chart As Gov. Tom Wolf's bold tax restructuring plan comes under fire from critics, an analysis of the more than $30 billion budget proposal shows most four-member families who own homes in York County could see a savings of as much as $741 per year.... - York Dispatch

Wolf hopes he'll strike gold in legislative mines Good will is worth its weight in gold in Pennsylvania. How valuable is it? Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is poised to spend $51.4 million in an apparent attempt to buy the affinity, if not necessarily the acquiescence, of the Republican-controlled state Legislature.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gov. Wolf's investment in public education is a down payment on a better future: Katie McGinty By Katie McGinty It's been nearly a month since Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his first state budget, with a promise of immediately restoring the massive $1 billion in cuts that crippled our education system

over the last four years. mcginty.jpgKatie McGintyFile photo/Paul Chaplin | [email protected]... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 26 SEN. SCOTT WAGNER: Throwing more money at schools is not the answer I have serious concerns about the new revenues and tax increases that Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing. As I have said repeatedly: Pennsylvania does not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. The governor and his government union allies continue to assert that the... - Pottstown Mercury

Bipartisan property tax reform tangled in partisan Pa. budget debate By Andrew Staub, PA Independent HARRISBURG >> Based on some of the political rhetoric pouring from the Capitol, it’s easy to think an expanse the size of Lake Erie separates Democrats and Republicans when it comes to property tax reform. There’s Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf using his campaign Facebook page to... - Pottstown Mercury

F&M poll: Wolf’s budget proposal gets good review from state voters A majority of Pennsylvania voters support Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending plan that aggressively increases education funding, a statewide Franklin & Marshall College poll found. And they agree with the first- year Democratic governor that a natural-gas extraction tax should be imposed and lower property taxes should be swapped... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Corman shares 'rest of the story' with CBICC members BOALSBURG — State Senator and majority leader Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, addressed an overflow crowd of members of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County on March 19. The CBICC luncheon was held at the Mountain View Country Club in Boalsburg. “Secretary (John) Hanger (Planning and Policy) portrayed Gov.... - State College News

Shrunken surplus looms if state budget deadlocks HARRISBURG — As signs point to a prolonged state budget fight this year, the Senate now has much less of a surplus to draw upon to support its operations in the event of a stalemate than the most recent audit has reported. The Senate chief clerk has reported that the uncommitted surplus for that... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Pennsylvania poll finds early support for Gov. Tom Wolf's budget, tax reform aims It appears Gov. Tom Wolf's far-reaching state budget proposal has passed its first early test: His constituents - as a whole - seem at least open to learning more about it. That's according to results of the first statewide poll since Wolf released his sweeping $30 billion plan that seeks to marry major school funding... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Reasoned ultimatum As much as we don’t want to see another state government shutdown, we applaud the tough line Senate Republicans are taking on the state’s massively underfunded pension funds: no reform, no budget. That’s the ultimatum issued to Gov. Wolf, a Democrat confronted with a... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

For seniors, governor’s budget is a sheep in Wolf’s clothing (letter) For most of 2014, Pennsylvania’s airwaves from Erie to Philadelphia, Washington to Pike Counties, and all points in between were inundated with countless numbers of professionally crafted political ads for then gubernatorial candidate Tom Wolf. The ads are gone, the election is over,... - York Daily

Poll: Majority of voters support Gov. Wolf's budget plan A majority of Pennsylvania voters say they support Gov. Tom Wolf's budget plan, according to a recent Franklin & Marshall College poll. In the survey, 59 percent gave approval for the budget plan and 60 percent said they approve increasing state income taxes in order to reduce property... - York Daily

March 25

Eric Barron proposes freeze on in-state tuition at Penn State if Wolf-proposed state funding increases are adopted Penn State parents just got a bigger rooting interest in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget, or at least the higher education section of it. At a Senate budget hearing Tuesday, Penn State President Eric Barron pledged to recommend a freeze on in-state undergraduate tuition at all... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Corman addresses pensions, budget March 25 LEWISTOWN — Pennsylvania’s Senate Majority Leader, Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, covered a wide array of subjects during an editorial board meeting at The Sentinel on Tuesday. more »» PSU suit, Potters Mills roadway corridor project part of wide-ranging... - Lewistown Sentinel

SEN. SCOTT WAGNER: Throwing more money at schools is not the answer I have serious concerns about the new revenues and tax increases that Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing. As I have said repeatedly: Pennsylvania does not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem. The governor and his government union allies continue to assert that the... - Pottstown Mercury

GUEST COLUMN: From a business standpoint, Wolf budget isn't perfect, but addresses need for revenues BY JOE SCOTT Put me on the list of business people who do not agree with every element of Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal. Even without conducting a survey, I am willing to bet that list is longer than the one with people who are 100 percent on board with it. I heard him portray his proposal as "radical."... - Easton Express-Times

OP-ED: Wolf spending sounds good, but at what cost? By STATE REP. SETH GROVE R-Dover Township On March 3, Gov. Tom Wolf outlined his budget priorities for the coming fiscal year. The plan would increase spending from $29 billion to $33.8 billion, an increase of 16 percent or $4.7 billion in a single year and $12.7 billion over the next two years. It has become increasingly clear... - York Dispatch

Wolf's budget would cut property taxes 18 percent in Central Bucks Elementary students in the Central Bucks School District will be on a “Quest” come September if the school board agrees. And in the 2016-2017 school year, Central Bucks School District residents would see a property tax reduction of approximately 18 percent.... - Levittown Intelligencer

March 24 Senate leader links pension overhaul, vote on new budget HARRISBURG — The Senate Republican leader, Jake Corman, said Monday that there will be no new state budget until Pennsylvania recasts its two statewide pension systems in ways Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf opposes. “Pensions is the budget,” Mr. Corman, R-Centre, told a luncheon of... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf's budget proposal adds funeral tax It's been said that "In this world nothing can be said for certain, except death and taxes." In Pennsylvania home of Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father credited with the quote those two things could collide under Gov. Tom Wolf's bold budget proposal that would broaden the sales tax to include previously... - Lehighton Times News

Corman: Pa. budget must include pension reform HARRISBURG - No pension reform, no state budget. A top Senate Republican said Monday that if Gov. Wolf doesn't address the state's skyrocketing pension costs during budget negotiations with the legislature, there will be no budget. Majority Leader Jake Corman (R., Centre) said that reining in the cost of... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Corman: late pension bill, late budget Community Login | Register Stay Connected to witf Facebook Twitter img img News | Arts & Life | Education | Community | Watch | Listen | Support | About witf State House Sound Bites Corman: late pension bill, late budget... - WITF

State's first lady visits Bristol Township to push education funding The Bristol Township School District is working to do “more with less” money these days. That was the message delivered to Pennsylvania first lady Frances Wolf on Monday by roughly two dozen administrators and teachers when she visited Lafayette Elementary School to push Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to increase... - Levittown Intelligencer

Faith leaders pray, fast for more than Wolf's $400M proposed increase for schools Despite Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal to inject $400 million more into direct support for school districts next year to a historic high of $6.1 billion, faith leaders from across Pennsylvania say that is not enough to erase the racial inequities that exist in the way public schools are funded.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 23 Mixed messages frustrate school budgets School officials looking to Harrisburg for budget guidance likely have whiplash from the conflicting correspondence issuing from the Capitol. First, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a budget in which he called for a $500 million boost in school spending. Wolf then spent weeks taking his school... - New Castle News

Like JFK, Wolf's budget dares us to be great: Rick Bloomingdale By Rick Bloomingdale Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal presents a clear vision for the future of our state and dares us to be great in the spirit of President John Kennedy who said "that a rising tide lifts all boats." RICK BLOOMINGDALE HEADSHOT ART.jpgRick Bloomingdale (PennLive)... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf looking to increase the ranks of state police HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf wants to hire about 350 new troopers to fill vacancies on the state police force. Wolf proposes spending an extra $9 million to train four classes totaling about 350 cadets. Overall, he plans to boost spending on state police by $19.5 million, an... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Is Pennsylvania ready to boost higher education spending? Ask Roger Bruszewski about the budget cuts he’s overseen at Millersville University, and you’ll discover he can itemize them year by year. In 2009-10, the university cut $4.2 million. In 2010-11, $3.4 million. And so on. All told, there have been $23.7 million in cuts from 2009-10 to... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Editorial: It will take two sides to make budget After Gov. Tom Wolf proposed increasing state funding for school districts, Senate Republican leaders sent a letter to the state’s school superintendents telling them not to count on getting the additional money. The governor’s office called it a political stunt.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Pennsylvania lawmakers must fix the school funding formula (letter) Harrisburg's annual budget scrum is underway, and reporters, school officials and parents across York County are playing what amounts to a very expensive guessing game: What's the bottom line for our kids? The speculation is not surprising. After all, the line item for basic... - York Daily

Guest Column: Wolf’s budget could save Pennsylvania By Rick Bloomingdale, Times Guest Columnist Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal presents a clear vision for the future of our state and dares us to be great in the spirit of President John Kennedy who said that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” There will be some who will try to derail this budget by picking away at... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Wolf budget includes 80 percent tax cut for Scranton businesses HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget proposal includes an 80 percent reduction in school district property taxes for Scranton businesses. Administration officials say the $12.5 million school property tax cut would be significant enough to avoid the need for a special development... - Wilkes- Barre Citizens' Voice

NOW is the time to work out budget (YDR opinion) After Gov. Tom Wolf proposed increasing state funding for school districts, Senate Republican leaders sent a letter to the state's school superintendents telling them not to count on getting the additional money. The governor's office called it a political stunt.... - York Daily

Editorial: Compromise is the key to a Pa. budge solution After Gov. Tom Wolf proposed increasing state funding for school districts, Senate Republican leaders sent a letter to the state’s school superintendents telling them not to count on getting the additional money. The governor’s office called it a political stunt.... - West Chester Daily Local News

EDITORIAL: Education funding too important for partisan grandstanding After Gov. Tom Wolf proposed increasing state funding for school districts, Senate Republican leaders sent a letter to the state’s school superintendents telling them not to count on getting the additional money. The governor’s office called it a political stunt.... - Pottstown Mercury

March 22 Wolf says middle class will benefit from budget plan Gov. Tom Wolf acknowledges that his plan to cut school property taxes won't be a net financial win for all taxpayers. But Wolf, who toured General McLane High School this week as he pitches his proposed budget across the state, is trying to convince skeptics that even... - Erie Times-News

Wolf pitches budget plan during visit to General McLane High School EDINBORO -- Gov. Tom Wolf knows that the GOP-controlled Legislature won't buy into all of his budget, which contains a mix of tax increases and decreases. But he's trying to sell as much as he can, and he continued to do that Wednesday after a visit to General McLane High School classes -- part of... - Erie Times-News

Wolf's sales tax on homecare would hurt families: Vicki Hoak World-renowned biologist Leroy Hood once said "If you focus on the smallest details, you never get the big picture right." When focusing on the big picture of long-term care in Pennsylvania, we must remember one basic premise: most senior care is provided and/or paid for by... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Tom Wolf's Rendellian moves During the 2014 campaign, Republicans insisted if Democrat Tom Wolf won the governor's race, Pennsylvanians would be looking at Rendell II — meaning a repeat of eight years under Gov. Ed Rendell. Policy similarities? Sure. Wolf wanted, as Rendell did, to dump as much... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

GOP lawmakers chafe at Wolf's plan to award school tax cuts Raising taxes will be a battle among Pennsylvania state lawmakers as they face Gov. Tom Wolf's call to correct a persistent budget deficit and a school funding system riven by huge spending disparities between rich and poor districts... - AP

Tell your lawmakers not to compromise on Wolf's bad budget: Nicholas Pandelidis Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed the largest budget in the history of the Commonwealth - $29.9 billion -- and that does not include an "off budget" $1.75 billion taxpayer contribution to the school employee pension fund. Wolf wants Pennsylvanians to pay for his increased spending with additional... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Are property taxes on way out in Pennsylvania? Gov. Wolf’s plan to increase the sales and income taxes in exchange for a reduction in school property taxes was widely panned by most Republican lawmakers, including our local GOP senators. State Sens. Elder Vogel Jr. of New Sewickley Township and Camera Bartolotta... - Beaver County Times

Here's why any public pension fix has to include a 401(k) plan, Charlie Gerow When he was running for governor, Tom Wolf consistently denied there is a pension crisis. As the rhetoric of the campaign has given way to the realities of governing, he's slowly beginning to

acknowledge that we do, in fact, have a huge problem--one that has every Pennsylvania taxpayer on the hook.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

PhillyDeals: Wolf unhappy with who manages Pa.'s pensions Gov. Wolf is trying to push Wall Street out of Harrisburg. He wants the two big employee retirement systems, SERS (for state workers) and PSERS (for public school staff), to reverse their long reliance on high-fee managers. These firms collected more than $600 million in fees from the plans last... - Philadelphia Inquirer

'We're not about tactics, we're serious about what's at stake,' for Pa., top Wolf administration official Katie McGinty says: John L. Micek Ok, let's review. Katie McGinty finished a distant fourth in last spring's Democratic primary for governor. By last summer, she was running the political action committee that Tom Wolf used to propel himself into the governor's office. Now, she's Wolf's chief of staff, has his ear, and her office is just five... - PATRIOT

March 20 State university system chancellor refuses to commit to tuition freeze Despite Gov. Tom Wolf's call on the State System of Higher Education to freeze tuition for next year in exchange for increasing its funding by $45 million, the system's chancellor is making no commitments. During Thursday's budget hearing before the Senate Appropriations... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Going up: Area service costs to rise under proposed Wolf budget Looking to bridge a cavernous budget gap and pump money into public schools, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed expanding a 6.6 percent sales tax to include 45 previously exempt products and services, among them hair salons, day cares and nursing homes. Wolf says the plan would raise $3 billion a year.... - Bradford Era

Jake Corman attacks governor’s budget March 20 BOALSBURG – Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman spoke to members of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County on Thursday, to address Governor Tom Wolf’s budget proposals. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

Funding gap Disparity between rich and poor schools embarrassing The spending gap disparity between rich and poor school districts in Pennsylvania was exposed on both the state and national fronts last week. Last Friday, during a conference call with reporters, U.S. Education... - Lehighton Times News

Jackpot dreams: Wolf should focus on a budget, not a wish list Imagine if all the people buying lottery tickets first had to provide an itemized list stating how they’d spend their expected winnings. That’s akin to what Gov. Tom Wolf has ordered the state’s 500 school districts to do. OK, the schools aren’t taking a chance on the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Why Wolf, GOP should negotiate on budget: Brian Lasher With $4 billion in higher taxes and a 16 percent increase in state spending, Republican opposition to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's budget is natural. As Republican Sen. Joe Scarnati said, "If Republicans and conservatives aren't standing against a massive spending and tax increase,... - Erie Times-News

Total cost of Pennsylvania’s proposed budget: $78.6 billion By Andrew Staub, PA Independent HARRISBURG >> Pennsylvania could own a bunch of professional sports team if it wanted. OK, maybe we’re taking some liberty with that, but there is some math to back it up. If Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget is enacted exactly as he presented it earlier this month, the state’s total operating budget... - Pottstown Mercury

Letter: Gov. Wolf's budget is bold step forward It is refreshing to see that our new governor has presented a bold and creative legislative budget package aimed at solving Pennsylvania's many growing problems including public school financing,

slow job growth, a $2.3 billion deficit, inadequate roads and bridges, abysmal credit rating, and... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

March 19 Wolf expects $3B a year by cutting sales tax exemptions HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania state government would reap $3 billion a year under Gov. Tom Wolf's plan to expand a 6.6 percent sales tax to include transactions on 45 categories of products or services that are currently exempt, according to figures released by his administration Wednesday... - AP

Take it from a York Countian, Wolf's budget is a win for Pennsylvania: Kevin Schreiber By Kevin Schreiber As York Countians who have known and worked with Gov. Tom Wolf for years, I doubt any of us were surprised to hear a budget proposal that was undoubtedly bold. But we also know him to be thoughtful and pragmatic. SCHREIBER HEADSHOT ART.jpgState Rep. Kevin Schreiber, D-York (PA House... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

45 new items would be taxed under Pa. Gov. Wolf’s plan Here are details of some of the 45 categories of products or services that are currently exempt from the Pennsylvania sales tax, but would be subject to the tax under Gov. Tom Wolf’s state budget plan... - AP

Gov. Wolf stumps for increased education spending in Edinboro visit EDINBORO — Touring General McLane High School on Wednesday, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf interacted with students in various classes, asked questions and listened to the answers. It was one of many tours the governor is making across the commonwealth designed to receive input from educators and promote his proposal to... - Meadville Tribune

$3B a year seen from sales tax plan HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania state government would reap $3 billion a year under Gov. Wolf's plan to expand a 6.6 percent sales tax to include transactions on 45 currently exempt categories of products or services - including cable TV, spectator sports, and nursing care, according to... - AP

Pickett announces 'Taxpayers That Pay' website to show net effect of governor's budget proposal HARRISBURG - For residents along the Northern Tier who are wondering how a budget proposal advanced by Gov. Tom Wolf will impact them, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) announced a new website that will show, by county and school district, the effect of the tax increase... - Towanda Daily Review

STATE SEN. DAVID ARGALL: Wolf offers a raw deal to Pa. taxpayers Many local football fans have watched their favorite NFL team make numerous trades and acquisitions over the past two weeks. Some of those trades leave fans scratching their heads and wondering what the front office is doing to help the team get to the Super Bowl.... - Pottstown Mercury

Education officials detail what Gov. Tom Wolf's budget could do for them State Reps. Peter Schweyer and Mike Schlossberg will head back to Harrisburg with more details on how Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget could benefit public education in the Lehigh Valley. The two Democratic lawmakers held a public hearing in Allentown on Wednesday afternoon with David Volkman, acting deputy secretary of... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania education funding letter war puts school districts in the middle Pennsylvania school district superintendents appear to be caught in a political battle over Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget while receiving conflicting instructions from Harrisburg leaders. Senate Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, and House Speaker Mike Turzai,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This week's sparring over school funding a test of leadership for Wolf, Senate GOP: John L. Micek A note to Pennsylvania political junkies - this is what actual divided government looks like. In case you missed it, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and majority Senate Republicans have spent much of the past

week sparring over education funding. But here's the rub, the handbags-at-20-paces hostilities aren't over... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's budget shows the way to Pa.'s complete economic decline: PennLive letters This letter expresses my ever-increasing concern that Gov. Wolf's administration will become one that presides over Pennsylvania's complete economic decline. His budget proposal outlines in great detail the belief that money solves every problem and that there is an unlimited supply of money available from... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State senate Republican leaders oppose mandated school district budgets Five state lawmakers took issue with a letter sent by the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Tuesday at the behest of the Wolf administration asking school superintendents to reveal spending plans for a proposed budget increase in 2015-16. The State Senate Republicans objected to the presumptive nature of the... - Pennsylvania Business Daily Reports

Our Opinion: Gov. Tom Wolf’s education secretary puts cart before $400 million horse If you picked the Powerball jackpot’s winning numbers, how would you spend your newfound fortune? A letter from the state’s acting education secretary basically invites Pennsylvania’s public school superintendents to engage in such fantasizing, a politically motivated exercise that seems destined to waste... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Going up: Area service costs to rise under proposed Wolf budget Looking to bridge a cavernous budget gap and pump money into public schools, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed expanding a 6.6 percent sales tax to include 45 previously exempt products and services, among them hair salons, day cares and nursing homes. Wolf says the plan would raise $3 billion a year.... - Bradford Era

OP-ED: Wolf plan taps bipartisan ideas As York countians who have known and worked with Tom Wolf for years, I doubt any of us were surprised to hear a budget proposal that was undoubtedly bold. But we also know the governor to be thoughtful and pragmatic. He is certainly well-aware that his address is just the... - York Dispatch

March 18 Pa. education chief asks school districts to provide plans for spending new funding To receive their share of the proposed $400 million increase in basic education funding, school districts will have to submit spending plans to the state by May 15. And those plans must direct the increase in state funding to one of 14 “evidence-based” options for improving achievement outlined in a... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Union pacts a big question mark in Pennsylvania budget HARRISBURG — Raises for unionized state employees, who receive pay and benefits totaling billions of dollars, are a huge unknown factor in trying to craft a 2015-16 budget, key senators said Tuesday. Sixteen union contracts are up for renewal this year, and aides to Gov. Tom... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Schools left hanging in growing budget battle between Gov. Tom Wolf and Legislature HARRISBURG — In five years as superintendent of the Bethlehem Area School District, Joseph Roy has grown accustomed to a quirk in state law that forces school boards to lock in an annual budget before the governor and lawmakers hammer out their own spending plan.... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf proposes $500 million for specific school programs An extra $500 million that Gov. Tom Wolf wants to give schools in basic and special education funding would come with strings attached. Pennsylvania's top education official sent a letter to all school superintendents Tuesday, outlining 14 areas in which districts could spend... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

March 17

Budget secretary answers Senate committee's questions about Wolf budget plan Pennsylvania senators voiced a lot of questions and concerns about Gov. Tom Wolf's budget plan Monday, in a hearing that put Wolf's Budget Secretary, Randy Albright, on the hot seat before the Senate Appropriations Committee. These public meetings are really a prelude to the long budget debates... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Don't be fooled - Wolf's property tax plan won't keep property taxes down: David Argall Many local football fans have watched their favorite NFL team make numerous trades and acquisitions over the past two weeks. Some of those trades leave fans scratching their heads and wondering what the front office is doing to help the team get to the Super Bowl.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The value of the impact fee Fortifying battered bridges. Upgrading a health center. Much-needed road maintenance. Repairing water lines. These are some of the needs that were met by impact fee money that flowed to communities in Washington and Greene counties as a result of the natural... - Washington Observer- Reporter

Gov. Wolf seeks to cap school district rainy day funds at 4 percent Gov. Tom Wolf's plans to cut property taxes includes more than just giving Pennsylvania school districts more state funding. Wolf wants to increase the state's share of district aid to 50 percent by enacting a 5 percent tax on natural gas drillers and increases to the... - Easton Express-Times

Gov. Tom Wolf, House GOP have dueling websites After Gov. Tom Wolf released his first proposed budget, his administration launched a "Schools That Teach" website. On Monday, the House Republican Caucus countered with a "Taxpayers That Pay" website. House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph, R-Delaware County, said in a... - York Daily

Wolf’s property tax reform plan decried by House GOP State representatives are in the second week of budget hearings and House Republicans are still not backing Gov. Tom Wolf’s school property tax reform, claiming there are holes in the proposed plan. House GOP Appropriations Committee Chairman state Rep. William Adolph,... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Lawmakers grill Wolf's education nominee on budget plan HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Tom Wolf's nominee as state education secretary has his work cut out for him... - AP

Senate Republicans grill governor's budget secretary on tax proposals HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Senate began its appropriations hearings Monday with hours of questions -- and comments -- for Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget chief. As in the House, where budget hearings have been going for a week, the comments from members of the Senate Republican majority tended to draw... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania looking outside for audit on shale cash The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is preparing to hire an outside firm to audit the royalty payments that the agency receives from natural gas production on state lands to ensure that drilling companies’ price calculations are accurate.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf has plan to tackle Pa. pension woes HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf wants to make the state's first full pension obligation payments in more than a decade and end fast-rising obligation payments for school districts, a top budget official said Monday... - AP

March 16 Readers' Forum | Budget gives no help to middle class Regarding the article on March 4, “Area leaders divided on spending plan,” Sen. John Wozniak, D- Westmont, refers to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget as a “targeted effort to rebuild Pennsylvania’s

middle class.” It’s more like an outright targeting of the middle class.... - Johnstown Tribune- Democrat

From Wolf, record budget and tax increases By Beth Anne Mumford Buckle up, Pennsylvania. Gov. Wolf has introduced his first budget for our state and, as expected, record spending and middle-class tax hikes are on the way. The centerpiece of the governor's inaugural budget is a blowout in government spending. Accounting gimmicks aside, the state's general fund -... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Sales tax looms in budget debate HARRISBURG — A proposed sales tax increase is creating sparks early on in Pennsylvania’s state budget debate. Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposal to expand the rate and base of the state sales tax is just one part of an intertwined tax overhaul plan. Yet, the sales tax increase drew the lion’s share of attention and criticism last week... - Scranton Times

A more detailed look at Wolf's proposed sales tax hike HARRISBURG - A proposed sales tax increase is creating sparks early on in Pennsylvania's state budget debate. Gov. Tom Wolf's proposal to expand the rate and base of the state sales tax is just one part of an intertwined tax overhaul plan. Yet, the sales tax... - Shamokin News-Item

Funding plan may dock shrinking schools HARRISBURG — Schools losing students may be penalized the most if the state changes how it splits education funds among its 500 school districts. Leaders of rural districts say that may be OK, as long as those districts have sufficient money for the students who remain.... - Meadville Tribune

Gov. Tom Wolf's sales tax expansion would cover child care, nursing homes and more Under Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget, dozens of new things would be subject to the state sales tax, from child care services to nursing home services. The Democrat from York County proposes to raise the sales and use tax from 6 to 6.6 percent effective Jan. 1, 2016, and to broaden the categories... - York Daily

Rep. Schreiber: Wolf's budget properly funds public schools at state level As York countians who have known and worked with Tom Wolf for years, I doubt any of us were surprised to hear a budget proposal that was undoubtedly bold. But we also know the governor to be thoughtful and pragmatic. He is certainly well aware that his address is just the... - York Daily

Wolf’s sales tax a tough bargain Gov. Tom Wolf’s office, in announcing a drastic reduction in items that should be exempt from the sales tax, helpfully noted that Pennsylvania is one of just 19 states not taxing chewing gum. Fine. But what about caskets? Day care? Toilet paper? Diapers? Of all those items that Wolf now wants to tax, diapers was the only one for... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

March 15 Liquor privatization in Pennsylvania no easy sell Depending on your political persuasion, House Speaker Mike Turzai's latest shot at dismantling and selling the state's liquor store system is either a third full or a third empty. On Feb. 28, the Republican-controlled House voted 114-87 to close all the state liquor stores, sell the Liquor Control Board's wholesale business and... - Allentown Morning Call

Legislature big winner in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal Republicans who control the state House and Senate squawked while Democrats delivered lukewarm praise over Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed $33.8 billion budget, which raises a pile of taxes to fuel higher school funding and lower property and business levies. But there is one aspect of Wolf's 2015-16 spending plan that both sides... - Allentown Morning Call

Gov. Wolf's proposal complicates Butler Area's budget process Preparing a budget for the next school year for Butler Area Schools is going to be trickier than usual. School board members last week said they are not counting on Republican legislative approval

of Gov. Tom Wolf's ambitious education budget. “It was rather optimistic for public education,” said Deborah... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Shrunken surplus looms if budget deadlocks As signs point to a prolonged state budget fight this year, the Senate now has much less of a surplus to draw upon to support its operations in the event of a stalemate than the most recent audit has reported. The Senate chief clerk has reported that the uncommitted surplus for that... - Scranton Times

PhillyDeals: Wolf's pension fix: What a bond can, and can't, do Stop panicking about Pennsylvania pensions, says Randy Albright, Gov. Wolf's budget secretary. Yes, the state's history of overpromising and underfunding, so veteran public workers (and elected officials) can collect nearly their old take-home pay as retirees, has dug taxpayers into a hole.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa.'s school-spending gap widest in nation Pennsylvania has the nation's starkest spending gap between rich and poor school districts, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Friday, and that must be remedied. Statewide, poor districts like Philadelphia spend 33 percent less per student than wealthy districts, the biggest such gap in the country,... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Looking behind Wolf's tax curtain - it's not a pretty sight: Charlie Gerow Big tax increases in Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget shouldn't be a surprise. After all, he promised as much during the campaign, even if he didn't provide the specifics. Now taxpayers and the legislators who represent them are getting a look behind the curtain.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 13 Boosting minimum wage helps all As they begin hearings on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal, Republican majorities in both houses already have made clear that they’re dubious about his ideas to close a yawning budget deficit while increasing education funding. Both sides should be pleased with a development, however, that not only... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Group: Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget would cost Pennsylvania families $1,400 By Andrew Staub, PA Independent HARRISBURG >> Louise Bell is 90, has dementia and has lived in a nursing home for five years. She gets Social Security, but most of her money came from selling her home of six decades, according to her son, Kermit. Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal would test that fixed income. The... - Norristown Times Herald

Diamond tells Northern Lebanon board not to count on increased state funding FREDERICKSBURG >> State Rep. Russ Diamond, Republican representing the 102nd District, cautioned the Northern Lebanon school board Tuesday night about the state's proposed budget that was unveiled by Gov. Tom Wolf earlier in the month. The proposed spending plan shows a 4.6 percent or $562,000 increase in... - Lebanon Daily News

Funding for state grant program for college student looks promising College students in Pennsylvania received somewhat of an assurance on Thursday that the funding available for state grants won't decrease in 2015-16 - and possibly might increase. During a House budget hearing, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency President and CEO James Preston said the state's student aid agency... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf’s proposed budget sparks concerns about decrease in school taxes Editor: I have been reading with great interest Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget that would decrease school taxes by an average of $1,000 a year for most homeowners. That decrease would be offset by an increase in state income and sales taxes. A savings of that magnitude on school taxes would be welcome, but I am... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Pennsylvania businesses might be split over Wolf's tax plan HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal is giving Pennsylvania business owners and executives a lot to think about... - AP

Fix wage and budget deficits As they begin hearings on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget proposal, Republican majorities in both houses already have made clear that they’re dubious about his ideas to close a yawning budget deficit while increasing education funding. Both sides should be pleased with a development, however, that not only... - Scranton Times

Wolf to courts: Stay out of school funding HARRISBURG – Attorneys for the governor and General Assembly say courts have no business deciding whether Pennsylvania spends enough money on schools. Commonwealth Court judges didn’t immediately rule in a case argued this week in which lawyers for parents, students and six school districts asked... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

March 12 Column: Wolf's budget proposal fiscally irresponsible By Sen. Rich Alloway A recent editorial (March 4) took out of context some of the statements I made following the governor's budget address. I welcome the opportunity to respond in order to set the record straight. I am troubled that the editorial board sees my passionate disagreement with... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Website shows Wolf's budge effect on local schools Website shows Wolf's budge effect on local schools By Tom DiStefano CLARION NEWS Writer HARRISBURG There is now a website showing just how much extra funding school districts would receive, and how much property tax relief is in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal.... - Clarion News

Wolf says critics of his tax plan must consider the benefits HARRISBURG, Pa. — Criticism of the higher income and sales taxes that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing must be weighed against the benefits they would make possible, including multibillion-dollar reductions in school property taxes, he said Wednesday... - AP

Should Pa. Legislature approve Wolf's budget? Gov. Tom Wolf proposed an ambitious budget last week to rid Pennsylvania of a $2 billion deficit. He would increase education funding by raising income and sales taxes to slightly offset school property taxes. He also would tax Marcellus Shale drillers and lower corporate tax rates. Should the... - Allentown Morning Call

The Heron’s Nest: Budget war heating up in Harrisburg They’re starting to circle the wagons out in Harrisburg. As you might expect, new Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget, which calls for hikes in both the personal income and sales taxes, is not being well-received by Republicans who control both the House and Senate. Delco’s own Bill Adolph, R-166, chairman of the House Appropriations... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

EDITORIAL: So what's your budget plan, GOP? Since Gov. Tom Wolf proposed his budget plan on March 3, many Republicans have let it be known that many of his bold proposals for funding education and addressing a nearly $3 billion deficit won't fly as is. We expected that. It is now up to the state GOP, which holds the majority in the Legislature,... - York Dispatch

Welcome new rules for gas drillers Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget calls for a new 5 percent extraction tax on natural gas drillers, and there’s been plenty of debate whether such a tax is fair compensation for Pennsylvania or whether the levy will prompt the industry to go elsewhere. There should be less debate, none at all really, regarding a Wolf... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Letter tells schools not to expect what Wolf promised The New Castle Area School District, along with other districts, is doubtful about how to start its budget process. District business manager Joe Ambrosini told the school board at its public work session Monday that he intends to begin budget planning meetings early... - New Castle News

March 11 The Morning File: If Wolf’s getting a bad rap, try this one Gov. Tom Wolf is spending his week visiting schools around the commonwealth to tout his controver- sial budget proposal. He must believe the fired-up kids will organize mass rallies to convince adults that a bigger tax bite is justified if it provides more money for public... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pension issues a big concern for state's fiscal watchdog Auditor General Eugene DePasquale predicts Pennsylvania is only a few years away from having a Detroit-like municipal bankruptcy on its hands in one, if not more, of its cities and communities unless action is taken to deal with their pension debts. depasquale.jpgView full sizeAuditor General Eugene DePasquale predicts... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

AG Kane talks Medicaid fraud at budget hearing with friendly lawmakers Attorney General Kathleen Kane accepted praise from lawmakers who largely avoided her personal legal problems Tuesday as she talked about Medicaid fraud and drug crimes to justify a $97.5 million budget request for her office. Kane appeared relaxed and amiable with the Republican-controlled House... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Business leaders try to figure out how Gov. Wolf's budget affects them Understanding how Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget will effect a business is like unraveling a spider web, said Frank J. Tobias of the >>>>Continue The Associated Press | A week after Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his 2015-16 budget, some in the Berks business community are still trying to figure out... - Reading Eagle

Gov. Wolf's budget, taxes, and you: The midstate tax calculator Gov. Tom Wolf last week proposed his first state budget, which included a massive shift in Pennsylvania's tax strategy. Wolf proposes raising the income and sales taxes statewide and then channeling some of that money to local school districts. Districts would then increase their annual homestead/farmstead tax credit... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Top adviser touts governor’s budget plan at Centre County event PATTON TOWNSHIP — Quality of life in Pennsylvania is acceptable, but the commonwealth is underperforming and can do better, a member of the governor’s executive staff said Tuesday. That belief is what drives Gov. Tom Wolf’s recently unveiled budget proposal, Director of Planning and Policy John Hanger said at a Chamber of... - State College Centre Daily Times

'The Wolf' is back on the trail IT'S TOM WOLF'S third campaign. Having won the Democratic primary last spring and the General Election in the fall by successfully selling himself to voters, Wolf's new campaign is to sell his plans for a better Pennsylvania. He's touring the state visiting schools and community colleges and using... - Philadelphia Daily News

March 10 Wolf's budget plan 'a lot of smoke, mirrors and confusion,' lawmaker says Holding up a dollar in one hand and 50 cents with the other, Rep. Steve Bloom asked the audience who would be willing to give the state a dollar if they only got 50 cents in return. "Nobody would. It makes no sense," Bloom, R-North Middleton Twp., said at a Monday news conference at the Capitol.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf should rethink taxing nursing homes THE ISSUE Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget wants to raise the state sales tax by 10 percent and apply it, for the first time, to a range of services previously exempt. Among them are home health care,

ambulatory health care and nursing and residential care services. Raising taxes is never easy and the governor’s agenda requires a good... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Republicans grill Wolf's staff about tax increases, budget proposals HARRISBURG — As the Pennsylvania House on Monday began its work on the state budget, the Republicans who control the chamber emphasized the tax increases proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf and questioned the promise of accompanying property tax relief. At the outset of the first legislative budget hearing, House Appropriations... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Media tax Governor's desire for newspaper sales tax faces historic hurdle Gov. Tom Wolf's budget plan seeks to expand the number of goods and services that would be subject to a sales tax, including newspapers. The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association is our industry's mouthpiece to the... - Lehighton Times News

York County school districts apprehensive about reality of Gov. Wolf's budget Top Republican Senate leaders sent a letter to superintendents across the state earlier this week saying there is not support throughout the Legislature for the budget Gov. Tom Wolf rolled out last week. "Most recently, as of yesterday (Sunday), there has been some legislative... - York Dispatch

PA Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed cigarette tax boost would pump millions into Allentown's NIZ Gov. Tom Wolf's budget would pump millions of dollars in cigarette tax money into Allentown's arena zone — tax money City Center Investment Corp. could use to pay off its building loans. However, City Center CEO J.B. Reilly this week said if the cigarette tax... - Allentown Morning Call

Got a question for Tom Wolf? We're interviewing him on Wednesday The budget proposal. The diagnosis that Pennsylvania's self-esteem is not up to snuff. A death penalty moratorium. An intolerance for appointments made "in the dark of the night." Pennsylvania's 47th governor Tom Wolf has spent a momentous seven weeks in office.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Should the Legislature consider Wolf's budget plan? Everybody seems to agree that the state’s education funding system needs reformed, but nobody can agree how to do it. The latest plan from newly elected Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf would raise sales and income taxes to add a billion dollars into education while... - Somerset Daily

A $4B question: How big is Wolf's budget? HARRISBURG - The legislative battle over Gov. Wolf's budget proposal began in earnest Monday - starting with a dispute over just how much money is at stake. Wolf has described his proposal as a $29.8 billion spending plan. But GOP lawmakers say it is closer to $33.8 billion.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf pitches his budget plan March 10 Gov. Tom Wolf visited Pleasant Valley Elementary School to talk about his proposed 2015-16 state budget, which invests heavily in schools by expanding some taxes while reducing others. more »» - Altoona Mirror

Pennsylvania House opens hearings on Gov. Wolf's budget plan HARRISBURG, Pa. — Legislative hearings on Gov. Tom Wolf's budget plan are under way... - AP

Ruth Ann Dailey: Wolf’s tax plan is a camel’s nose in the tent Here’s the only thing most citizens can probably agree on in these early days of chewing over Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed state budget: Imposing a tax on catalogs wouldn’t be too terrible. They say we wind up with less of anything we tax, so most of us wouldn’t mourn a heavy levy on junk mail. (Or committee meetings.)... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Sen. Alloway: I stand by Wolf budget comments (letter) A recent editorial in the York Daily Record (“There is hope, we hope, in Wolf’s budget,” March 5) took out of context some of the statements I made following the governor’s budget address. I welcome the opportunity to respond in order to set the record straight.... - York Daily

The incredible shrinking deficit and other news from Pa.'s first budget hearing At the first formal hearing of what could be a lengthy budget process, the Independent Fiscal Office announced that improved revenue figures will reduce Pennsylvania's structural deficit to about $1.5 billion. The state agency, created in 2010 to provide nonpartisan revenue... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. State House Appropriations Committee Kicks Off Weeks Of Hearings On Gov. Wolf’s Budget Proposal HARRISBURG, Pa., (CBS) — Battle lines are taking shape as the Republican-controlled state House held the first day of hearings on Democratic Governor Tom Wolf’s ambitious budget proposal. Governor Wolf has proposed increasing the sales tax and the PIT — the state’s personal income tax — to generate money for property tax... - KYW News Radio 1060

March 9 Showdown over school funding? GOP warns districts not to count their $$ just yet: Monday Morning Coffee Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers. It's been barely a week since Gov. Tom Wolf dropped his $33 billion budget plan. But Senate GOP leaders are already drawing their battle lines over the administration's school funding initiative. Late last week, four, top-ranking Senate leaders sent a letter to school... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's proposal for expanded sales tax in Pennsylvania hard to sell HARRISBURG — Michele Andrae said the last thing her daughter needs is to pay more for college textbooks. Gov. Tom Wolf proposes applying the state sales tax to textbooks, fees and college meal plans, his office says. Andrae, 53, of Monroeville said her daughter, who attends East Stroudsburg University, spent $800 on books last... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

With this first budget, Gov. Wolf should let Pennsylvanians, not government, lead the way: Bob Dick By Bob Dick This week, Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a budget with a spending rate clocking in at a blistering $1,000 per second. That means in the time it takes you to read this article, say three minutes, state government would spend a stunning $180,000. And the governor... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

EDITORIAL: Wolf’s tax-hike proposals a tough sell Tom Wolf has spoken. And Pennsylvania is still shaking. Wolf did not sugarcoat the state’s bleak fiscal situation. And he did not fall back on the “live within our means” mantra of his predecessor, Republican Tom Corbett. You know, the guy who never met a “revenue enhancement” (OK, most people call them tax hikes), he... - Pottstown Mercury

Ron Southwick: Gov. Tom Wolf proves to be a polished salesman Gov. Tom Wolf faces a daunting task to secure even some of the ambitious goals in his state budget, but he showed the value of his business >>>> Continue Republicans have bashed his budget, but the new governor made a compelling pitch. The Associated Press | Gov. Tom Wolf delivers his budget address for the... - Reading Eagle

Editorial: Will Wolf’s way of doing things find support? Tom Wolf has spoken. And Pennsylvania is still shaking. Wolf did not sugar-coat the state’s bleak fiscal situation. And he did not fall back on the “live within our means” mantra of his predecessor, Tom Corbett. Corbett, shackled with the echoes of a campaign promise that he would not... - West Chester Daily Local News

Wolf budget proposal draws a partisan response Delaware County politicians react to Governor Tom Wolf’s first budget announcement that’s calling for a historical increase in spending on a $33.8 billion budget. The governor highlights plans to fund “schools that teach, jobs that pay, and a government that works” increasing spending by 16 percent.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Heyl: Wolf's plan leaves no freeloader untaxed, from cradle to grave From cradle to grave and beyond, most of us are freeloaders. It's time to pay our fair share. Gov. Tom Wolf's recently proposed budget was a revelation. It shed light on an ugly state secret and apparently the primary reason why Pennsylvania is grappling with a $2 billion shortfall: Many of our largest demographic... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Meet the Berks County lawmakers who will help shape the state budget Gov. Tom Wolf's laid out his wish list for the 2015-16 state budget. In a couple weeks, lawmakers will start working on their answer. >>>>Continue All four state senators representing Berks sit on the Senate Appropriations Committee, so their voices will be heard.... - Reading Eagle

March 8 It's time to stop passing Pennsylvania's hot potatoes I may be wrong, but I'm usually consistent. So before I tell you what I think of Gov. Tom Wolf's budget plan presented last week, I'll remind you that more than a decade ago, I listed some basic rules that seem to guide our state and national politicians. Here are three... - Allentown Morning Call

Solving Pa.'s public pension problem a toughie for state leaders Solving Pennsylvania's pension problem has eluded state leaders for more than decade but it's not for lack of trying. The $50 billion-plus debt that two state public pension systems have accrued for benefits owed to current and future retirees has given birth to... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

$3 billion budget gap ball bounces into GOP lawmakers' court The $3 billion ball is now in the Republicans' court... - AP

Wolf budget has ingredients for contentious debate Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed budget calls for a mix of tax increases and decreases. That alone would seem to be enough to give the Legislature fits as the two branches of government try to reach an agreement on a 2015-16 spending plan that would take effect July 1.... - Erie Times-News

For Wolf, county, it’s déjà vu all over again We’ve been here before. All week long — from Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget address to the race for Lackawanna County commissioner — a sense of déjà vu permeated the air. Let’s start with the commissioners race, which is full of familiar faces. First, the incumbent Democratic commissioners, Jim Wansacz and Patrick... - Scranton Times

Rare sales tax bump is key to Wolf's budget Gov. Wolf wants to do what no governor has done since President Lyndon B. Johnson was in the White House: Raise the Pennsylvania sales tax. Former Gov. Ed Rendell tried it twice. In 2010, he couldn't even get the state's Democratic-controlled House to go along.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State budget esimates clash Before any progress can be made in enacting a new state budget, all sides will have to agree on the size of the spending plan. The ink was barely dry on Gov. Tom Wolf’s first proposed state budget before different numbers emerged. The governor’s budget office puts the... - Scranton Times

Political analyst focuseson Wolf’s proposed budget For the first time in modern history, political analyst and pollster G. Terry Madonna said education spending was the most important issue when voters elected Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat. At the same time, however, he said voters also don’t want to pay higher... - Scranton Times

March 6 Wolf stifling Pa. economy Gov. Tom Wolf's new budget includes an income tax increase from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent and a sales tax bump to 6.6 percent. These taxes will pay for a $2.5 billion deficit from public pension funds. Gov. Tom Corbett wanted to pay for this deficit by selling the state liquor... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

For liberals, Wolf's big tax hikes are a moment of truth - will they have the nerve to vote for them?: John L. Micek Tuesday was a big day for Pennsylvania progressives -- and not just because Gov. Tom Wolf rolled out what's been described to death as a big, bold and controversial spending plan. The $33 billion budget (and it's dishonest to call it anything other than that) is shot through with spending hikes and tax increases so big that, no... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf sales tax plan would put huge burden on nursing home patients: PennLive letters As the voice for senior care in Pennsylvania, LeadingAge PA and our members, which are all not-for- profit, are concerned about a proposal by the Wolf administration to increase the sales tax for seniors who require services in nursing or residential facilities. This proposal should concern... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Drilling enforcement gets boost in budget HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf wants to hire 50 employees to enforce regulation of oil and gas drilling activities with a portion of revenue from a proposed state severance tax on natural gas production. In his budget for fiscal 2015-16, Mr. Wolf proposes using $10 million in... - Scranton Times

Today's Editorial: Wolf's budget a step in the right direction Gov. Tom Wolf laid out an ambitious and creative initial spending plan this week, offering a mix of tax increases and decreases along with other measures that may pave a path forward for Pennsylvania. Tuesday’s announcement was, for many, the first real opportunity to... - Sunbury Daily Item

Penn State: 'We are' treated better in Wolf's budget than other universities At a gubernatorial debate last fall, Gov. Tom Wolf let his Blue and White stripes show by saying his football rooting interests lie with Penn State over the Steelers or Eagles. But Wolf also has shown some favoritism toward Nittany Nation in his 2015-16 budget proposal.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

More goods, services to be taxed under Wolf proposal HARRISBURG — Child care. Candy. Certain legal services. These goods and services are not subject to the sales tax in Pennsylvania, but under Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget proposal, they and others would be. His proposal in Tuesday’s budget address that the sales tax not only be... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

What's in Gov. Wolf's proposed budget? Take the quiz Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his first proposed budget on Tuesday. It's been called "unsustainable" and "aggressive." The proposed spending plan would increase the sales tax and the personal income tax. Wolf would give more money to schools but keep libraries at current levels.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Madonna and Young: Gov. Wolf's budget is revolutionary, not evolutionary Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. once famously observed, "Taxes are what we pay for civilized society." Gov. Tom Wolf's new budget, with its imposing array of new taxes, promises to determine exactly how much Pennsylvanians are willing to pay for a... - Allentown Morning Call

March 5 The Wolf budget: Taxing & spending The headline said it all: “Welcome to Taxylvania.” Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf took the wraps off his first budget on Tuesday, a $30 billion spending blueprint for fiscal 2016 that the York Democrat says is filled with “tax shifting” in pursuit of “fairness.”... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

As hearings loom, Wolf pushes budget at Chesco school Gov. Wolf went to the state's top-rated high school Wednesday to push his plan to radically overhaul Pennsylvania's tax structure - and push back against Republican legislators who had immediately

labeled his budget proposal dead in the water. "How can be it dead in the water when it's something that every single... - Philadelphia Inquirer

There is hope, we hope, in Wolf's budget (YDR Opinion) We've heard a lot of state budget addresses over the years, and they've been fairly predictable, as have been the default responses of the governor's opposition party. Rhetoric often takes the place of discourse. For instance, one party's "investments" are another's "taxes" or "giveaways."... - York Daily

Property tax cuts key to budget accord HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is going where few governors have with his plan to link substantial school property tax cuts with higher state taxes. The Democratic governor asked lawmakers Tuesday to approve hikes in state personal income and sales taxes to help reduce school property taxes by... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Local legislators wary of spending plan HARRISBURG — Indiana County-area lawmakers are offering scant support for the $33.8 billion state budget proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf. The spending plan — an increase of 16 percent over this year — is virtually certain to evolve in the next 118 days before the June 30... - Indiana Gazette

Tax-heavy budget plan too focused on spending The adage that there are two guarantees in life - death and taxes - has, quite amazingly after all these years, been altered through Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget proposal. We now have death, taxes and death with taxes. We credit Coal Township funeral director James F. Kelley for that clever... - Shamokin News-Item

Pa. budget debate could mean long, hot summer for lawmakers Lawmakers are girding themselves for a long, hot summer in Harrisburg grappling with the ambitious budget proposal outlined by Gov. Tom Wolf this week. Pennsylvania's budget process has always been a protracted affair full of back-room deals and public debate. Wolf's proposal, however, delves into a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Our Opinion: Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed budget starts overdue conversation on Pennsylvania’s taxation True to his campaign image, Gov. Tom Wolf took a different approach to governing and drew up a proposed state budget that’s unlike anything Harrisburg has seen for a long time. His $29.9 billion spending plan, announced Tuesday, would raise and/or alter taxes of all sorts (from sales to school property) and steer more... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

What is a "homestead exemption" and other questions about Gov. Tom Wolf's school property tax reduction plan As Pennsylvania considers Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed tax shifts designed to move some of the burden of funding public schools away from property owners and back to state government, here are a few questions and answers to keep in mind: Q: How low can these property taxes go?... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's Pa. budget plan seen as having almost no chance HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed shift from property taxes to higher income and sales levies has virtually no chance to pass the GOP-dominated legislature as is, lawmakers and analysts said Wednesday, though he struck a theme appealing to many Republicans and Democrats.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

'No freaking way this is going to pass': Readers react to Gov. Wolf's sales tax proposals Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed taxing items and services that have never been taxed in Pennsylvania before. PennLive commenters are equal parts upset and unsurprised by the proposal. Wolf released his 2015-2016 proposed budget Tuesday before a joint meeting of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. Wolf has proposed... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 4

Legislators react to Wolf's proposed budget Democratic state legislators from across the region generally praised Gov. Tom Wolf for a bold budget proposal while Republican legislators criticized it as unrealistic and flawed. State Rep. Neal Goodman, D-123, Mahanoy City, praised the proposal and its restoration of school funding and property tax cuts.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Human services providers optimistic over budget proposal For the first time in a long time, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties executive director Gary Drapek found himself smiling after listening to a state budget address. With reason, Mr. Drapek said. The proposed $29.9 billion budget released Tuesday by Gov. Tom Wolf would... - Scranton Times

Gov. Wolf's state budget: More aid for human services The state Department of Human Services received one of the largest increases in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal. The governor is proposing to spend $11.9 billion on human services, an increase of about $700 million. The money would offer expanded services to... - Reading Eagle

Wolf unveils first budget Calling his proposal a different kind of budget, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf introduced a spending plan Tuesday that he said will eliminate a $2.3 billion deficit. Wolf's plan calls for some tax cuts while raising other taxes and instituting a Marcellus Shale severance tax.... - Somerset Daily

Wolf wants more money, tuition freezes for state schools After years of flat or declining funding, Pennsylvania's state universities and community colleges were thrilled to see Gov. Wolf propose significant increases Tuesday. But there are strings attached to the governor's budget proposal: Wolf asked the colleges to freeze tuition for next year.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Wolf's state budget: Modest bump for natural resources Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal calls for a slight increase for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The department, which oversees the state parks and forests, would receive $342.6 million, an increase of $20 million. Spending on the Bureau of State Parks would be maintained at $91 million,... - Reading Eagle

Wolf budget: Biz impact a mixed bag HARRISBURG >> Gov. Tom Wolf claims his budget proposal aims to refocus incentives that strengthen Pennsylvania's industry and communities. His budget would increase funding of the Department of Community and Economic Development by $78 million, far short of the $170 million cut from... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Dissecting Wolf's $33 billion plan for Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf's first budget address put an emphasis on his vision for improving Pennsylvania's present and its future. He is calling for tax increases in an effort to generate additional funding for education, property tax relief, and economic development programs in a... - The Notebook

Gov. Wolf's bold budget lays out his plans for education and taxes THE ISSUE Gov. Tom Wolf gave his first budget address Tuesday morning before the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He said his budget — $29.9 billion by his calculation; $33.7 billion, if pension payments and property tax relief were included — is aimed at creating jobs that pay, schools that teach... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Local politicians react to Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal "I think the governor hit on points that resonate across the entire commonwealth from property tax reform, oversight of the Marcellus Shale industry and pension reform He campaigned on being a different type of governor and I think he demonstrated that today." - Rep. Kevin Schreiber,... - York Daily

March 3 Wolf's budget plan: More taxes on income and purchases, less on properties At a glance: Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposes a 20 percent increase in the state's personal income

tax, from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent, effective July 1; and a 10 percent boost in the state's sales tax, from 6.0 percent to 6.6 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2016.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget: Everything you need to know (mostly) at-a-glance The state budget is a massive, dense document of numbers, line items and appropriations. To try and make it easy, we've combed through Gov. Tom Wolf's first budget to try and pull out key facts and figures. Among key provisions are the calls from the governor to increase the... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Ground control to Major Tom: Your tax plan's weird, there's something wrong Just six weeks into his administration, Gov. Tom Wolf is determined to shatter every stereotype about bald, bearded guys -- to which I can only say it's about damn time. It seemed like a long time ago that Wolf seemed to introduce himself to Pennsylvania as a mild-mannered -- arguably... - Philadelphia Daily News

Lawmakers should accept Wolf proposal Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed a huge tax rate reduction that will determine whether legislative Republicans are serious about one of their principal concerns — that the state corporate income tax rate is too high. At 9.9 percent, the corporate income tax rate is indeed too high — the... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Democrats say Wolf's budget proposal will be ambitious HARRISBURG, Pa. — More details of Gov. Tom Wolf's forthcoming budget proposal emerged Monday, as top Democratic lawmakers said Wolf's ambitious proposal must be considered as a whole, rather than as pieces... - AP

Wolf's budget may need a big push HARRISBURG - Though Gov. Wolf has been working behind the scenes for weeks on his first budget blueprint for the state, legislators and others say his real work is only just beginning. Wolf is scheduled to unveil his multibillion-dollar spending plan at 11:30... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wolf's first budget to offer the bold steps he promised to voters: Editorial When Pennsylvania voters rejected Tom Corbett and elected Tom Wolf as governor, they (implicitly or explicitly) endorsed pursuing a dramatically different future for the Commonwealth. And according to advance reports, Gov. Wolf will release a budget Tuesday that reflects the vision and values he offered during the campaign.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania courts' budget to remain the same under Wolf At a glance: Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed no change in the amount of money that will flow to Pennsylvania's court system in 2015-2016. MORE: Full coverage of Pa. 2015 budget What it means: The state court system contains several layers, with the supreme court at the top and the magisterial district courts at the bottom.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Live coverage: Wolf seeks billions in higher taxes for schools, tax revamp HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf is asking Pennsylvania lawmakers to approve $4 billion in higher taxes and new taxes to help boost school aid and shift education funding away from local property taxes... - AP

Not only a budget, but a vision A new governor’s first budget proposal and address always are interesting, beyond the dollars and cents, because they set in black and white the new administration’s priorities for the next four to eight years. For Wolf, the prospect is particularly daunting. He faces an existing $2... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Official: Wolf budget includes big increase for Penn State HARRISBURG, Pa. — Penn State is in line for a substantial increase in funding under Gov. Tom Wolf's budget plan... - AP

What to expect in Gov. Tom Wolf's 2015-16 budget proposal On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil his state budget for the year starting July 1. Here's what to expect:.. - AP

Today's budget address begins difficult process A new governor's first budget proposal and address always are interesting, beyond the dollars and cents, because they set in black and white the new administration's priorities for the next four to eight years. For Tom Wolf, the prospect is particularly daunting. He faces an existing... - Shamokin News- Item

Wolf seeks corporate-tax changes as 'Delaware loophole' law takes effect Gov. Wolf's broad proposal to reshape Pennsylvania's corporate-tax structure comes as a 2013 law takes effect that was adopted specifically to close a tax loophole Wolf has opposed. In his first budget address Tuesday, Wolf will include corporate-tax rate cuts through 2018 and aim to eliminate certain corporate-tax deductions.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

March 2 Wolf's first budget to offer the bold steps he promised to voters: Editorial When Pennsylvania voters rejected Tom Corbett and elected Tom Wolf as governor, they (implicitly or explicitly) endorsed pursuing a dramatically different future for the Commonwealth. And according to advance reports, Gov. Wolf will release a budget Tuesday that reflects the vision and values he offered during the campaign.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

New Pa. Senate majority leader Corman: Pension overhaul before any Wolf tax measures Comment On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil a state budget proposal that will crystallize his plan for increasing education spending while also dealing with the state's $2.3 billion structural deficit. In order for Wolf's agenda to pass, which will likely include a slate of... - NEWSWORKS

Legislature needs to keep an open mind With Gov. Tom Wolf poised to present his first state budget proposal on Tuesday, the words "budget impasse" and "government shutdown" already are being spoken amid more optimistic words such as "cooperation, listening, communication, compromise" and "fairness."... - Altoona Mirror

Five things to expect from Wolf's first budget proposal The rhetoric and promises of the campaign are behind him. It’s time to see what Tom Wolf is really all about. The governor — facing a $2.2 billion budget deficit and a massive GOP majority — will deliver his budget address to a joint session of the House and Senate on Tuesday. It will give the administration the chance to... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Sales, income taxes increases expected in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget HARRISBURG — State lawmakers and political analysts predict Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday will propose slashing property taxes and paying for it with higher broad-based taxes, such as income or sales taxes. Republican leaders are ready to sharply contest what they believe will be... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf's education plan could mean over $2 million a year for Johnstown district, superintendent says HARRISBURG – It was the issue that got him elected and likely will be a key part of his first budget address. Gov. Tom Wolf has made it clear that he intends to tax the gas industry to boost education funding. Wolf has said an extraction tax on drilling will... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Expectations build for first Wolf budget HARRISBURG — Expectations are building in advance of Gov. Tom Wolf’s first budget speech Tuesday. Advocacy groups are looking for a restoration of state education cuts and a minimum wage hike while Republican legislative leaders warn of big tax and spending hikes.... - Scranton Times

Governor must chart a bold path for Pa. starting Tuesday THE ISSUE Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will deliver his first budget address Tuesday before a General Assembly in which Republicans have a 20-seat advantage in the Senate and a 35-seat edge in the House (both numbers exclude vacancies) . Pennsylvania government faces a $2.3 billion revenue shortfall and a $53... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

March 1 Wolf wants more in-homehealth care for seniors About 2,500 area senior citizens receive in-home services provided by the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties. A proposal announced Friday by Gov. Tom Wolf aims to increase that number by shrinking the number of people being sent to nursing homes in their... - Scranton Times

A look at the key things to watch in Gov. Tom Wolf's budget HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil his spending plans for the 2015-16 fiscal year that starts July 1. Wolf, a Democrat, is expected to propose perhaps the biggest shake-up in the state tax system in over 40 years, although little is known thus far about the precise details... - AP

Wolf touts in-home care for seniors PHILADELPHIA — Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday he wants more seniors to obtain health care in their homes instead of in nursing facilities.. - AP

Wolf's budget looks to be big, bold - and controversial HARRISBURG - The details have been kept under lock and key, but when Gov. Wolf unveils his first budget early this week, all signs point to its being big, bold - and highly controversial. For days now, there has been chatter in political circles in the Capitol... - Philadelphia Inquirer

February 27 Wolf says $109 million in cost savings found HARRISBURG - Two weeks ago, Gov. Wolf promised that his team would do its part to trim the $2.3 billion state budget deficit through government cost savings. On Thursday, he said his administration had identified $109 million in projected savings across government agencies.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Editorial: Legislature must get its fiscal act together You have to give Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Legislature points for chutzpah. GOP leaders constantly lecture state agencies, municipalities and school districts on the need for cost cutting. “Tighten the belt; hold the line on tax increases; cut pension costs;... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Education funding coalition calls for $3.6 billion boost to public education Ahead of Gov. Tom Wolf's Tuesday budget address, a coalition fighting for fair school funding released a new school funding formula they believe would result in a student-driven way to distribute state funding to public schools, PennLive.com reports. The Campaign for Fair Education Funding, includes more than 50 educational,... - Easton Express-Times

Pack your toothbrush and jammies, it's probably gonna be a long budget season: John L. Micek So here's what we know about the budget plan that Gov. Tom Wolf is going to present to a joint session of the state House and Senate on Tuesday. It's going to include more money for schools; slap a severance tax on Marcellus shale natural gas drillers; cut an onerous business tax and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

February 26 New Castle among those cheering Wolf's education budget HARRISBURG — It was the issue that got him elected and likely will be a key part of his first budget address. Gov. Tom Wolf has made it clear that he intends to tax the gas industry to boost education funding. Wolf has said an extraction tax on drilling will... - New Castle News

February 25 Wolf budget boss mum on specifics of spending plan MEDIA >> In the midst of preparing a statewide spending plan for unveiling next week, Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget director shared some of the new administration’s priorities — without revealing any specifics of the $29 billion package. Sharon Ward, recently named director of the Governor’s Budget Office,... - Pottstown Mercury

Gov. Tom Wolf unveils cut in key Pennsylvania business tax rate BETHLEHEM - Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a new business tax reform plan Wednesday that, on its face, will ask more companies to shoulder a corporate tax set at lower rates. Wolf's plan would drop Pennsylvania's business buzz-killing corporate net income tax rate from 9.99 percent at present to 5.99 percent for 2016, 5.49... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf proposes halving key corporate tax in Pennsylvania HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday proposed cutting in half one of the highest business taxes in the country within two years, but he said the plan would require firms to use a tax reporting method that many multi-state corporations strongly oppose. Wolf, a Democrat, said during a visit to Bethlehem that his first budget... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf says goal is 'fairness' amid talk of looming tax increases HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday declined to provide details about his first budget address set for next week as talk intensified among lawmakers about potential increases in some state taxes and a significant property tax reduction. After speaking at a meeting of business leaders, Wolf refused to say if he... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

February 24 Tapping budget brakes, PA GOP legislators rally behind new plan to control growth in state government spending Wary of a return to major growth in government spending and taxes under Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania Republican legislative leaders endorsed a plan Monday that would place new caps on state spending growth rates. The bill would cap year-over-year spending growth to the lesser of:... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GOP seeks spending cap, expects Wolf tax increase HARRISBURG — As the clock ticks, Pennsylvanians pay. In a $29 billion state budget, it’s $920.43 per second, said Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon. “Every second it’s happening,” Folmer said at a Capitol news conference Monday. “Every minute, of each hour, of each day, 365 days a... - Carlisle Sentinel