2016 – 2017 COMMONWEALTH BUDGET

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July 19 'Sorry about the death': Should Pa. balance its budget off smokers trying to quit? HARRISBURG — Vape shops like the Blue Door became fixtures of strip plazas and shopping malls in recent years, situated at the leading edge of a new $3 billion industry. Here, at one of Pennsylvania's roughly 300 shops, a mélange of sweet scents hang in the air as a customer in flip-flops inspects brightly-colored... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Letters: Compromise produced Pa. budget ISSUE | PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET A product of compromise The passage of Pennsylvania's general- fund budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year represents something that is becoming all too rare in government - compromise ("Budget funding deal is reached," Thursday). From Philadelphia to Mifflintown to Erie, our state is blessed with diverse... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget deal a place to start In what has come to count as a triumph of Pennsylvania governance, the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf have passed a state government budget just two weeks late — about nine months better than last year’s debacle. And more important, the budget is a pretty good effort, even though some of... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

In and out of the Pa. budget Lower profile energy items survive in the Pa. budget. Pennsylvania’s fiscal year budget package creates a new tax credit for power plants that clean up and burn refuse coal piles; clarifies the state’s oil and gas conservation law and shifts funding for green... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

No love for Pennsylvania's newest taxes | Your comments Sunday's editorial took a look at the revenue fix used to close a $1.6 billion deficit in Pennsylvania's 2016-17 budget, predicting that another massive budget gap will return next year. In avoiding a broad-based tax hike, the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf agreed to a $1-a-pack increase in the cigarette tax and legalized internet... - Easton Express-Times

Now tax drillers The Pennsylvania budget passed a mere 13 days late... That’s a lot better than nine months overdue, a record that Gov. Wolf and the legislature seared into the... - Bloomsburg Press Enterprise

Pa. cigarette tax will be nation's 10th highest The budget-balancing $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase that takes effect on Aug. 1 will make Pennsylvania's $2.60 levy the 10th-highest in the nation. New Jersey's $2.70 per pack is 9th. In Philadelphia, the tax will be $4.60 per pack, which includes a $2 surcharge added two years ago to help close a looming school district... - Philadelphia Inquirer

July 18 Pennsylvania's cigarette tax to rise by $1 per pack Aug. 1 HARRISBURG, Pa. Cigarette taxes are on the way up in Pennsylvania... - AP

How the state budget boosts Bethlehem economic development Two and a half years after Bethlehem won a highly-sought economic development incentive zone, only PO Box 60769 | Harrisburg, PA 17106-0769 office: (717) 526-1010 fax: (717) 526-1020 www.pacounties.org one project has been completed. It's not for a lack of shovel-ready projects. There are grand plans that will transform much of South Bethlehem and Martin Tower.... - Easton Express-Times

EDITORIAL: Compromise pays the bills in Harrisburg There’s an odd word being bandied about in Harrisburg these days: Compromise. That sigh of relief emanating from the state Capitol Thursday was the realization that the state would not suffer a repeat of last year’s nine-month budget fiasco. Of course, it could also be perplexed legislators unhappy with the myriad... - Pottstown Mercury

Cigarette purchases to cost you more starting Aug. 1 Those who smoke cigarettes probably know this already: Increased taxes are going to make buying them more expensive in the next couple weeks. Starting Aug. 1, Pennsylvania's newly enacted budget package means that the per-pack tax on cigarettes will rise by $1 to $2.60, according to an... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Once again, Pa. settles for quick-fix budget | Editorial Pennsylvania's budget drama was a relatively painless two-act play this year — an on-time adoption by June 30, followed by Wednesday's action to close a $1.4 billion deficit in the spending plan. After last year's nine-month standoff, 13 days of post-deadline debate in July seems like ...... - Easton Express-Times

Pa. Farm Bureau praises state budget July 17, 2016 CAMP HILL – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau appreciates the level of funding designated for key agriculture programs included in the new state budget. The spending plan includes a 2. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

Darts & Laurels: A novelty in Pa.: Budget’s a done deal A look at the week that was, the issues and people who made headlines, and a few darts and laurels for those who deserve them. LAUREL: To Gov. Tom Wolf and the state Legislature. This week they signed off on a $31 billion state budget, as well as a funding plan to pay for it.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Budget deal a place to start In what has come to count as a triumph of Pennsylvania governance, the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf have passed a state government budget just two weeks late — about nine months better than last year’s debacle. And more important, the budget is a pretty good effort, even though some of... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Editorial: State budget not great, but it beats last year's disaster Pennsylvania has a budget. And it's paid for (well, sort of) and everything. While it is unfortunate that it relies on borrowing $200 million from a surplus in a state medical malpractice insurance fund and other less-than-sustainable revenues, this downside is greatly outweighed by the... - Reading Eagle

State budget finale ends two-year revenue search HARRISBURG — A two-year journey to find new revenue to solve Pennsylvania’s chronic fiscal problems came to an end last week with completion of the fiscal 2016-17 budget. After weeks of haggling, lawmakers approved a $1.3 billion revenue package designed to help support the $31.5 billion... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

In Pa., cigars evade tobacco tax HARRISBURG - For another year, at least, cigar smokers can puff away tax-free. In the state budget deal signed Wednesday by Gov. Wolf, they escaped the fate of cigarette smokers, who will have to cough up an extra $1 tax a pack. Users of snuff and chew or loose tobacco will be paying 55 cents more... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Revenue package is wishful thinking Democratic state Rep. Madeleine Dean added a sad commentary to the $1.3 billion tax and revenue package approved Wednesday by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Wolf. Said Dean, whose 153rd District comprises parts of Abington and Upper Dublin: "It's become very clear to me that while this... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Baker says state budget invests in schools, healthcare HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania General Assembly this week approved several budget-related bills that were signed into law to finalize implementation of the 2016-17 state budget, announced Rep. Matt Baker, R-Wellsboro. “The 2016-17 budget, which spends $31.6 billion, makes an historic... - Bradford Era

Ron Southwick: Reviewing the strange journey to a state budget It was a long, strange trip to a state budget a year ago, as the spending plan wasn't finalized until about six months after the start of the fiscal year. The trip wasn't as long this year. The governor and lawmakers agreed on a spending plan within the first two weeks of the fiscal year.... - Reading Eagle

State budget process abnormality typical HARRISBURG — It’s a receding memory now, but 2008 was the last year when Pennsylvanians saw a “normal” end to the state budget process. The finale that year came several months before the spectacular financial collapse that triggered the Great Recession. The 2008 budget was adopted several days after the June 30 deadline on the... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

New budget includes tax credits, exemptions HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s new state budget is about many things in addition to spending and taxes. The tax law enacted last week provides for a number of state tax exemptions and tax credits to give financial incentives to everything from land banks to video game production companies and brewers and to help urban renewal... - Scranton Times

Too early for budget optimism July 18, 2016 The completion of Pennsylvania’s 2016-17 budget exercise doesn’t justify an end to pessimism regarding the commonwealth’s financial futur. more »» - Altoona Mirror

A grab bag of revenue projections bail out the state July 16, 2016 Gov Tom Wolf and the Legislature are counting heavily on gambling, smoking and computer love to balance the state budget. The governor signed a $1. more »» - Williamsport Sun- Gazette

July 17 Budget a win for schools across state By Pedro A. Rivera The 2016-17 budget provides a significant step forward for Pennsylvania schools. It will help promote student success and improve access to a high-quality education — regardless of a child’s zip code. Working with our partners in the legislature, we are moving Pennsylvania forward by... - State College Centre Daily Times

Brian O'Neill: The sin-tax state budget — just a quick-fix There are at least two notable aspects to the state budget approved Wednesday by America’s Largest Full-Time State Legislature. The first is the budget being less than two weeks late. That beats last year’s debacle by nearly nine months. That’s welcome progress.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Taxes on 'digital downloads' arrive in Pa.: What is that going to cost you? It stands to reason that Pennsylvania, rarely the league leader in "hip" or "modern," wouldn't be among the first states to tax items bought on-line known as digital downloads. But, baby, we've arrived now. Among the tax changes signed by Gov. Tom Wolf this week, the state's 6... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget deal shows Pa. requires more sunshine HARRISBURG There was a time not so long ago when the Pennsylvania General Assembly was a virtual fortress that guarded sensitive information. Getting figures on lawmakers' expenses was like dealing with the Kremlin. Votes on tax hikes and pay raises were held in the middle of the night.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf secures budget peace, for now, if not campaign promises HARRISBURG, Pa. The House of Representatives had just finished voting the final pieces into place for Pennsylvania's 2016-17 budget package, and Majority Leader Dave Reed walked next door in the Capitol to share congratulations with Gov. Tom Wolf... - AP

July 15 Hanna, Scarnati weigh in on ‘In Lieu of Taxes’ hike Hanna, Scarnati weigh in on ‘In Lieu of Taxes’ hike - Lock Haven Express

Tobacco tax met with mixed reviews New taxes on tobacco products have the potential to generate almost $500 million in additional revenue for state programs and projects. The taxes, however, were met with mixed feelings Thursday morning throughout the Hazleton area with some tobacco users hot under the collar.... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

State colleges receive increase from state budget Pennsylvania's four state-related colleges received a 2.5 percent increase in state funding Wednesday night when Gov. Tom Wolf signed the non-preferred appropriations act. The schools benefiting from the increase are Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University. Their... - York Dispatch

Our view: Wolf, Legislature bridge their differences Thank goodness for sin and Election Day. In welcome contrast to the nine-month budget impasse that drove Pennsylvania schools and social service agencies to the breaking point a year ago, the Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf worked together to close the 2016-17 budget proceedings late Wednesday.... - Erie Times-News

Gov. Tom Wolf: Good news from Harrisburg After months of negotiations and compromise, Pennsylvania has secured a 2016-2017 state budget that increases funding for schools, devotes resources to battle the opioid-abuse epidemic and reduces the deficit. As has been said by Republicans and Democrats alike, this is a budget... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Editorial: Society must support 'the least of these' You have heard of the working poor. You don't have to look far to find them in Monroe County. United Way Executive Director Michael Albert recently cited a homeless man who slept in the woods rather than in a Salvation Army room to make sure he made it on time to his job in... - Pocono Record

DN editorial: Pennsylvania budget deal offers only short-term solutions THE AGREEMENT on the $31.5 billion state budget nearly met the July 1 deadline, nine months earlier than last year. That must come as a tremendous relief to school districts and local governments across the state that had to go through 2015 without regular payments of state aid.... - Philadelphia Daily News

Diamond unhappy with revenue package Rep. Russ Diamond spoke out Wednesday against the newly approved revenue package by the State House of Representatives.Pennsylvania has a new budget for the 2016-17 Fiscal Year, but one local representative is not happy about it. Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) spoke out aggressively against the newly... - Lebanon Daily News

Focus on tax reforms In what has come to count as a triumph of Pennsylvania governance, the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf have passed a state government budget just two weeks late — about nine months better than last year’s debacle. And more important, the budget is a pretty good effort, even though some of... - Scranton Times

Editorial: Compromise pays the bills in Harrisburg There’s an odd word being bandied about in Harrisburg these days: Compromise. That sigh of relief emanating from the state Capitol Thursday was the realization that the state would not suffer a repeat of last year’s nine-month budget fiasco. Of course, it could also be perplexed legislators unhappy with the myriad... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Lesson learned?: Public outrage likely forced a faster state budget If the comparatively swift delivery of a budget is any sign, state lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf heard loud and clear the public’s dissatisfaction with the previous year’s gridlock. If they have some momentum going now, they should use it to press forward on other important... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Inquirer editorial: What made this Pa. budget better The Pennsylvania budget passed a mere 13 days late this week. That's a lot better than nine months overdue, a record that Gov. Wolf and the legislature seared into the books in vitriol earlier this year. This time, the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Hanna offers views on budget State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, offered final thoughts on what was "another difficult year financially." - Lock Haven Express

Rapp voted no to budget she says will make state’s problems worse Rep. Kathy Rapp voted in opposition Wednesday to a bill imposing more than $750 million in new taxes to pay for the 2016-17 state budget, which she also voted against in late June. - Warren Times Observer

State budget includes school funding increases Figures on budgetary increases for education across Pennsylvania for the 2016-17 academic year were announced Thursday. According to a news release, the budget secures $200 million more for basic education, $30 million more for early childhood education, $20 million more... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Does a finalized budget mean raises for non-unionized state government employees? Non-unionized state government employees have been waiting for more than six months to hear about whether a pay raise might be in their future. Instead of a yes or no, the answer from Gov. Tom Wolf's office has been either that no decision has been made or we're waiting for a state budget... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

“Greatly appreciated and badly needed;” state increases funding for schools, but superintendents say more is needed The governor’s office called it “historic.” Local superintendents said it was an important first step, but more is needed. As part of the state budget completed Wednesday, Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts will share $200 million in additional funding for... - Scranton Times

Most local lawmakers unhappy with revenue portion of budget Most local lawmakers unhappy with revenue portion of budget - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Get ready to pay more for cigarettes, Netflix Pennsylvania lawmakers approved a plan Wednesday to generate an additional $1.3 billion by raising some taxes and introducing new ones. The new revenue will help pay for additional spending outlined in the state's 2016-17 budget. Lawmakers are looking raise cigarette tax by $1 and tax digital downloads... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Lawmakers call budget a ‘bittersweet’ victory Local legislators returned home after the passage of a 2016-17 revenue package in what one called a "bittersweet" compromise to keep the money flowing. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

July 14 The Latest: Governor signs $1.3B budget bailout package HARRISBURG, Pa. The Latest on the Pennsylvania Legislature's session (all times local):.. - AP

Governor Wolf Signs Compromise Pennsylvania Revenue Plan Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed a bill that would raise tobacco taxes and impose sales taxes on digital downloads. The state House and Senate passed a revenue package Wednesday afternoon that will fund the new budget that took effect earlier this week.... - LANC

Hold on to your wallet: Here's how you'll be paying for Pa.'s $31.5B budget Okay, I understand. No one wants to pay more taxes than they are supposed to or feel like they should. And I'm sure that there are some who would rather not pay any taxes at all. Both groups are the same people that don't want police and fire services, are the first to complain when the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

New Pa. sales tax aimed at digital downloads As Pokemon Go continues to climb in popularity, Pennsylvania lawmakers moved to pass a sales tax that could impact residents' purchases within the app. Legislators met Wednesday in Harrisburg to discuss options for balancing the state's deficit-riddled budget, and one of the methods approved... - York Dispatch

Pa. tax package to fund its 2016-17 budget is now a done deal Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed a nearly $1.3 billion tax and revenue package needed to balance the $31.5 billion state budget passed nearly two weeks ago. The passage of the negotiated, conference committee report came on a strong bipartisan vote in the House of Representatives, 116- 75. The tax and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf signs tax bill approved by legislators, completing state budget HARRISBURG — State lawmakers approved levying new taxes Wednesday on tobacco users and on consumers downloading music, apps and videos to help support the $31.5 billion state budget that went into effect earlier this week. The tax bill was approved by a 116-75 vote in the House and 28-22 vote in... - Scranton Times

Impasse over: Wolf, Pa. lawmakers strike budget deal HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania has an annual budget - nearly nine months sooner than it took last year. The Republican-controlled legislature on Wednesday approved budget bills that use new taxes on tobacco and digital downloads, and changes to gambling and wine sales, to pay for the $31.5 billion spending plan it... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Lawmakers pass $1.3B budget bailout package, governor signs HARRISBURG, Pa. Lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $1.3 billion election year revenue package that hinges on a $1-per-pack cigarette tax increase to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget and avert a lawsuit and a bond downgrade... - AP

Pennsylvania Budget Passes, Penn State to See Increase This time around, agencies and organizations around the state won't be left hanging in the balance for nine months before seeing a completed Pennsylvania budget. Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Wednesday that he would sign the final revenue package piece of the Commonwealth's 2016-17 budget, just two weeks after... - State College News

Pa. House, Senate approve new, higher taxes in $1.3B revenue deal HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed a $1.3 billion revenue bill that completes the 2016-17 budget and imposes higher taxes on cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and, for the first time, on digital downloads for videos, books and music. The Republican-controlled House approved the bill by a 116-75 margin.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State universities to see a $178 tuition increase in the fall - the smallest in nine years The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's board of governors on Thursday approved a $178 tuition increase for state universities this fall, the smallest in nine years. Full-time in-state students will pay a base tuition rate of $7,238 a year for the 2016-17 academic year, up from $7,060 last year. The tuition... - Philadelphia Inquirer

In response to 'Pa. lawmakers OK spending plan, but not how to pay for it' To the Editor: The state lawmakers do have a plan to pay for their spending : Authorize speed traps all over the Commonwealth. The millions and millions of dollars stolen from safe drivers will pay for their increased funding for public schools, early childhood and special education, and... - Shamokin News-Item

Will tax plan do the trick? Everyone understands what's involved in writing a budget: You consider what you want or need to spend against expected revenues. Then you adjust either or both columns so that when you get to the bottom, everything balances out. Pennsylvania lawmakers last month agreed to spend $31 billion in fiscal... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Budget revenue plan moves quickly toward Gov. Tom Wolf's desk A revenue bill to fund Pennsylvania's $31.5 billion spending plan rapidly passed the General Assembly on Wednesday on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk. Vince Hughes Discusses Revenue Plan A 6- member conference committee convened Wednesday to reconcile any lingering differences and find a mechanism to pass a revenue bill that can... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania lawmakers pass $1.3B budget bailout package Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday approved a $1.3 billion election-year revenue package that hinges on a $1 per-pack cigarette tax increase to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget and avert a lawsuit and a bond downgrade... - AP

Pa. legislature funds budget with new taxes Taxes on tobacco and digital downloads and changes in gaming and wine sales will pay for $31.5 billion spending plan. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania has an annual budget — nearly nine months sooner than it took last year. The Republican-controlled Legislature on Wednesday approved budget bills... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

July 13 Pennsylvania lawmakers eye final votes on tax package HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania lawmakers are to return to the Capitol to take what leaders hope will be final votes on an election-year tax increase necessary to balance the state's deficit-riddled budget... - AP

Lawmakers must finish the budget Pennsylvania state government is operating under a $31 billion spending bill that lacks the revenue to sustain it for the entire fiscal year. At midnight Monday, the bill became law. Tax collections are projected to fall hundreds of millions of dollars short of funding. Top lawmakers said... - Somerset Daily

Work Continues On Revenue Piece Of PA Budget Puzzle Governor Wolf and legislative leaders continued working on Tuesday to pull together a revenue plan to pay for Pennsylvania’s new state budget that took effect without the governor’s signature earlier this week. Republican Pat Browne is the chairman of the State Senate Appropriations... - KYW News Radio 1060

Budget revenue plan moves quickly toward Gov. Tom Wolf's desk A revenue bill to fund Pennsylvania's $31.5 billion spending plan rapidly passed the General Assembly on Wednesday on its way to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk. A 6-member conference committee convened Wednesday to reconcile any lingering differences and find a mechanism to pass a revenue bill that can... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State budget process abnormality now normal HARRISBURG — It’s a receding memory now, but 2008 was the last year when Pennsylvanians saw a “normal” end to the state budget process. The finale that year came several months before the spectacular financial collapse that triggered the Great Recession. The 2008 budget was adopted several days after the June 30 deadline on the... - Scranton Times

Pennsylvania lawmakers considering tax on digital downloads HARRISBURG — Applying the state sales tax to digital downloads — potentially on purchases from music to movies — is among the revenue sources legislative budget negotiators and Gov. Tom Wolf are discussing, GOP lawmakers and staff said Tuesday. It's part of a last-ditch effort to come up with $1.3 billion in additional... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State budget: Better but still lacking fundamental change July 13, 2016 After the protracted embarrassment that surrounded the 2015-16 state budget, the machinations that have evolved into the 2016-17 budget are a walk in the park. Go. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Pa. lawmakers shelve charter cap plan, try to wrap up budget A resolution on one of the more contentious issues in state budget talks - a proposal to loosen caps on charter-school enrollment - has been pushed off until the fall, allowing negotiators to begin wrapping up the budget process. The Republican-controlled legislature trickled into the state Capitol early... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Could Pennsylvania soon have a finalized state budget? Tune in Wednesday The day Pennsylvania shakes off the notoriety of being the only state in the nation without an enacted 2016-17 state budget could be nearing. Budget negotiators spent a good part of Tuesday inching closer to a finalized revenue package to fund the $31.5 billion spending plan that Gov.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Highlights of $1.3B revenue plan in Pennsylvania Legislature HARRISBURG (AP) — Highlights of an estimated $1.3 billion tax and revenue package scheduled for votes Wednesday in the Pennsylvania Legislature for the 2016-17 budget year that started July 1: CIGARETTES: Increases the per-pack excise tax on cigarettes by $1 to $2.60... - AP

Pa. tax package passes the state House, Senate; heads to Gov. Tom Wolf for signing The Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives have both just voted approval to a nearly $1.3 billion tax and revenue package needed to balance the $31.5 billion state budget passed nearly two weeks ago. The passage of the negotiated, conference committee report came on a strong... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

How revenue package to balance the 2016-17 state budget might impact your wallet The revenue package that the House and Senate passed on Wednesday will have direct impact on the wallets of those who use most tobacco products, do digital downloads, and are lucky Pennsylvania Lottery winners among others. The package includes a myriad of new taxes, higher taxes and an assortment... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. House votes to approve $1.3B revenue package The state House on Wednesday approved a $1.3 billion revenue package for 2016-17 that includes higher taxes on cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and for the first time, digital downloads. The bill was approved 116-75. It must be approved by the Senate before it... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pennsylvania lawmakers eye final votes on tax package Pennsylvania lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Wednesday as they prepared to take what leaders hoped would be final votes on an election-year tax increase necessary to balance the state's deficit- riddled budget... - AP

Pennsylvania budget strategy dares lawsuit, bond downgrade HARRISBURG, Pa. State government began operating Tuesday under a $31 billion election- year spending bill that nevertheless lacks the tax collections to sustain it for the entire fiscal year, and lawmakers say they are scrambling to fix that before it draws a lawsuit or bond downgrade... - AP

Gov. Tom Wolf on Pa. budget: 'I will sign this revenue package' Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday that he would sign revenue package that moved swiftly through the General Assembly. "Today's passage of a revenue package means that we avoid another lengthy impasse, our budget is balanced this year, and we have greatly reduced the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Legislators closing in on budget-funding plan HARRISBURG — Negotiators inched toward an agreement Tuesday that would impose new taxes on cigarettes and digital downloads in Pennsylvania, but a proposal to loosen caps on charter-school enrollment emerged as a sticking point in striking a budget deal, top senators said.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Buck-a-pack cigarette tax hike eyed to fund Pennsylvania budget A top Senate Republican says a tax package to fund a $31.5 billion election-year spending plan is nearing readiness in the Pennsylvania Legislature... - AP

Susquehanna circus The Pennsylvania Constitution is a dead letter. How else can one explain the too-clever-by-half machinations surrounding the Keystone State's latest embarrassing slog toward a new budget? Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf allowed “the budget” — and we use quotation marks to denote its fiction — to become law without his... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

July 12 Wall Street issues warning over Pa.'s state budget dilemma Now that Gov. Tom Wolf has indicated his intention to let the $31.5 billion state spending plan become law on Monday even if there is not a revenue plan in place to fully fund it, a credit rating agency has warned this move could have negative consequences on the state's credit ratings.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lawmakers focused on finding revenues Local lawmakers are remaining focused on the task at hand in Harrisburg - finding the revenues to pay for a roughly $31 billion spending bill. "The reason we were in here Sunday night was to start the arm wrestling of where the revenues will be derived," State Rep. R. Lee James (R-64th) said... - Oil City Derrick

Lawmakers react to Wolf’s budget statement Gov. Tom Wolf’s announcement Sunday he would allow the 2016-17 state budget bill to become law even without a revenue bill to fund it drew mixed reactions from area legislators. Wolf said the appropriations bill, with a $31 billion spending plan approved by the state House and Senate late last month, provides more... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Budget gap stymies Pennsylvania legislators State lawmakers squabbled late Monday over how to plug a revenue gap of more than $1 billion, spurring concerns about a potential spending freeze that could harm schools and nonprofits still reeling from last budget season's impasse. “It looks like it's going to be the same thing all over again,”... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Local GOP legislators frustrated with state spending plan After Gov. Tom Wolf announced on Sunday that he would let a spending bill sent to him by the Legislature become law without his signature, southwest Pennsylvania Republicans had a mixed reaction as a revenue package was still in limbo. “It’s really, really frustrating,” said state Sen. Camera... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Inquirer editorial: Have you seen Pa. budget's missing half? Gov. Wolf says he will allow a $31.5 billion spending bill to become law without his signature, but it can't rightly be called a state budget because the legislature hasn't decided how to pay for it. It could be described as half a budget, a spending plan to nowhere, or another mostly... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget talks 'moving closer to the finish line' but still more work to do A last-minute rush to finalize a revenue package to bring into balance a $31.5 billion spending plan that was set to become law at midnight Monday appears to be producing results. While the outcome of Monday afternoon talks between Gov. Tom Wolf and legislative leaders didn't produce a deal to put the punctuation mark on... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Will Pennsylvania's unbalanced budget result in lower credit ratings? Maybe The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's financial ratings may be lowered in the future as a result of an unbalanced state budget, according to a new analysis. Standard & Poor's Global Ratings announced Monday that it has placed several of the state's financial ratings on CreditWatch with negative... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GOP legislators frustrated as revenue bill keeps Pennsylvania budget in limbo After Gov. Tom Wolf announced Sunday that he would let a spending bill sent to him by the Legislature become law without his signature, southwest Pennsylvania Republicans had a mixed reaction as a revenue package was still in limbo. “It’s really, really frustrating,” said state Sen. Camera... - Beaver County Times

Pennsylvania budget strategy dares lawsuit, bond downgrade HARRISBURG >> Pennsylvania state government is operating under a $31 billion election-year spending bill that lacks the tax collections to sustain it, and lawmakers say they’re scrambling to fix that before there’s a lawsuit or bond downgrade... - AP

Lawmakers surprised Wolf let budget bill become law Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's decision to allow the $31 billion general budget to become law without his signature came as a surprise to local lawmakers. Democratic state Rep. Tim Mahoney, who voted against the bill, was surprised that Wolf neither vetoed or signed the spending plan. Mahoney... - Somerset Daily

Despite $1.3 billion gap, Pennsylvania lawmakers to let budget become law HARRISBURG — Legislators recessed Monday without a deal on how to pay for the $31.5 billion budget, extending the uncertainty amid signs of impact on the state’s credit rating and new legal challenges. Passed by legislators but neither signed nor vetoed by Gov. Tom Wolf, the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania budget strategy dares lawsuit, bond downgrade HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state government is operating under a $31 billion election- year spending bill that lacks the tax collections to sustain it, and lawmakers say they're scrambling to fix that before there's a lawsuit or bond downgrade... - AP

Editorial: Smokers, gamblers bear weight of Pa. budget State elected officials are at an impasse — again — over the Pennsylvania budget. The Republican-led General Assembly has passed a $31 billion spending bill, but without the revenues to pay for it. So they are considering an expansion of casino-style gambling that... - Pocono Record

State lawmakers lack answers, money for spending bill HARRISBURG — Today will be crucial to determining whether Pennsylvania state lawmakers can pass a tax increase to fully fund a $31 billion election-year spending bill, and put a quick end to legal questions over how the state can operate on an unbalanced budget, lawmakers... - AP

Lawmakers lack money for spending bill July 12, 2016 HARRISBURG — Today will be crucial to determining whether Pennsylvania state lawmakers can pass a tax increase to fully fund a $31 billion election-year spending bill, and put a quick end to legal... more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

State budget bill canard Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf speaks Sunday during a news conference in his chambers, saying that he won't stop a $31 billion budget bill from becoming law. Lawmakers have been unable to agree on a revenue package to ensure the bill is funded. (Marc Levy/Associated Pres)... - Scranton Times

July 11 Hoping to tease progress on tax package, Gov. Wolf will let $31.5B spending plan become law Gov. Tom Wolf took what he sees as a peace-making step Sunday in hopes, he said, of teasing swift completion of the last and hardest piece of the state's budget puzzle - the tax package. Wolf said at a Capitol news conference that he will let the $31.5 billion... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Gov. Tom Wolf acts to protect bipartisan budget, but raises new questions in the process Gov. Tom Wolf offered a form of budget peace Sunday night, but he also raised questions in the process about whether the path he's declared for himself meets black-letter legal tests. Whether those questions become future issues or a quickly forgotten footnote to a 2016-17 budget process that is achingly close to closure,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf to let $31B budget become law without signature HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf said he will let the $31.5 billion budget become law without his signature at midnight today without the revenue package necessary to support all the spending it contains. With House and Senate negotiators still apart on finding $1.2 billion to... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

School leaders lose confidence in getting help from lawmakers as funding squeezed The Woodland Hills School District last year closed buildings and furloughed 14 staff members in order to save money. This year, the district cut an additional five staff positions, increased property taxes and refinanced its debt in order to balance its $81 million... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Editorial: Budget work not done in Harrisburg Make a new education funding formula permanent? Check! Increase funding for education? Check! Buy a bottle of wine at the supermarket? Check! At least attempt to start the process of tackling the massive deficit in public pensions? Check. Advertisement Pay for it all? Uh, not so fast.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Gambling wars impact budget deal The state Legislature has passed a 2016-17 budget, but the one pesky question remaining - how to pay for it - has pitted industries and possible tax sources against one another. Nowhere is that more clear than among the state's bars and taverns, whose owners are effectively blaming the casino industry for possible natural gas... - Altoona Mirror

No money plan? No worry. Wolf to let $31.5B spending plan become law HARRISBURG - In an unexpected move that immediately raised a host of legal questions, Gov. Wolf said Sunday that he will allow the $31.5 billion spending plan the legislature has sent him to become law - even though there is no plan to pay for it. The governor has until 11:59 p.m. Monday to decide whether to sign or veto... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The Latest: Lawmakers aren't protesting Wolf's budget move HARRISBURG, Pa. The Latest on efforts in the Pennsylvania Capitol to pass a budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year (all times local):... - AP

Analysis | Charities feel tension over budget delay HARRISBURG – An odd sense of optimism lingers inside and outside the Capitol that Pennsylvania could get a budget without too much delay. There’s optimism even though it’s far from clear that lawmakers have cracked the code to pay for the expense budget they’ve already put... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Pennsylvania lawmakers lack answers, money for spending bill Lawmakers are back in the Pennsylvania Capitol with no answers about how to fully pay for a $31 billion election-year spending bill that's about to become law... - AP

Wolf To Allow PA Budget Bill To Become Law PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Governor Wolf made the surprise announcement Sunday night that he will allow the state budget bill on his desk to become law, even if there is no revenue package to pay for it. The legislature approved a budget bill on June 30th and Governor Wolf has... - KYW News Radio 1060

Wolf won’t veto state budget HARRISBURG — In an unexpected move that immediately raised a host of legal questions, Gov. Tom Wolf said on Sunday that he will allow the $31.5 billion spending plan the Legislature has sent him to become law — even though there is no plan for how to pay for it.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf to allow budget to become law without signature HARRISBURG — The gridlocked Pennsylvania Legislature remained unable to explain Sunday how it would pay for a roughly $31 billion spending bill it had already approved, although Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he would not stop it from becoming law... - AP

Wolf to let budget bill become law despite funding questions HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he would not stop a roughly $31 billion election-year spending bill from becoming law, even though the gridlocked Pennsylvania Legislature remained unable to explain Sunday how it would pay for it. Wolf made the revelation during a Sunday evening Capitol news conference,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pennsylvania will have a budget by Tuesday Gov. Tom Wolf said Sunday evening in a live announcement that Pennsylvania will have a 2016-2017 fiscal budget with or without his signature by Tuesday. Wolf said he will allow the bi-partisan $31.5 billion appropriations bill to become Pennsylvania's budget without his signature if a sustainable... - York Daily

Will Pennsylvania's unbalanced budget result in lower credit ratings? Maybe The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's financial ratings may be lowered in the future as a result of an unbalanced state budget, according to a new analysis. Standard & Poor's Global Ratings announced Monday that it has placed several of the state's financial ratings on CreditWatch with negative... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

July 10 Deal or no deal? That is the question as Pa. lawmakers try to complete state budget work It's NFL hours for the Pennsylvania House members this weekend, as lawmakers get to work Sunday afternoon to see whether they can finalize a divided government budget somewhere in the neighborhood of "on time." The state's new fiscal year began July 1. The Republican-controlled General Assembly actually sent Democrat Gov. Tom... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State budget process abnormality now normal It’s a receding memory now, but 2008 was the last year when Pennsylvanians saw a “normal” end to the state budget process. The finale that year came several months before the spectacular financial collapse that triggered the Great Recession. The 2008 budget was adopted several days after the June 30 deadline on the... - Scranton Times

Big budget decisions on tap as lawmakers return to Capitol for Sunday night session The Pennsylvania House of Representatives will return for an unusual weekend session as Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers face big budget decisions... - AP

Let’s see leadership on Pa. budget funding Once again budget bliss is upon us as we await the Legislature’s plan for how it is going to fund the state budget (“Budget Financing Talks Held in Private; Deadline Looms,” July 6). Understandably, a budget with no revenue plan should wisely go nowhere. Another waiting game brought... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf budget decision looms amid stalemate over taxes Pennsylvania's 2016-17 fiscal year is in its second week with no spending bill having been enacted and no agreement over how to raise the revenues necessary to fund it... - AP

No budget deal yet, but Pa. House to reconvene The House of Representatives will return to the Capitol on Sunday, even though budget negotiations have dragged on without agreement on how to pay for the $31.5 billion spending plan the legislature approved last month. It was not clear late last week what the House planned to vote on when it... - Philadelphia Inquirer

July 8 Budget negotiations continue on as Monday deadline approaches The Pennsylvania Capitol remained quiet Thursday as budget negotiators continued to work privately toward a revenue agreement to pay for the $31.5 billion spending plan currently sitting on Gov. Tom Wolf's desk. With the clock counting down to a Monday deadline for Wolf to sign, veto or... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget raises pension issue for Rep. Schemel The discussion about the state budget led inevitably to talking about Pennsylvania’s unfunded pension plans during Rep. Paul Schemel’s town hall meeting on Thursday. “We’re on a collision course with destiny,” said Schemel, R-Greencastle. Actuaries say the state will run out of money in 15 years to pay pensions,... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

NATHAN BENEFIELD: Spend-first, tax-later is flawed budgeting Last June, Gov. Wolf sparked a fiasco by vetoing the General Assembly’s budget in its entirety. The resulting 9-month impasse crippled nonprofits and threatened to shutter schools across the state. To avoid the political fallout of a repeat performance this year, the Legislature passed a... - Pottstown Mercury

Child welfare offices to get less funding than budget suggests State funding earmarked for county-operated child protection agencies in Pennsylvania is far less than what is laid out in the state budget awaiting Gov. Tom Wolf's signature. The county child welfare line item under the Department of Human Services section of the budget lists a funding increase of just less than $197... - York Dispatch

Here's a smoke-and-mirrors free way to balance the state budget: Marc Stier Election years bring out the con-artist in Pennsylvania politicians, as they try to balance the budget without raising taxes. But this year, legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf can balance the budget without pulling a fast one on working Pennsylvanians by adopting the proposal put... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania budget talks enter weekend HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives is scheduled to return to session this weekend as budget negotiators are still at odds over how to fill a hole in a spending plan on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk. The Republican-controlled House’s session was scheduled for Sunday... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cigar tax smoldering to help balance Pennsylvania's $31.6 billion budget Smoke 'em if you got 'em, and then buy more before they are taxed. Cigars could lose their tax-free status in Pennsylvania under the latest tax and revenue package being considered to help pay for the state's $31.6 billion budget. Legislative leaders and Gov. Tom Wolf had been eyeing a $1 tax increase to... - Allentown Morning Call

July 7 Liam Migdail-Smith: State budget talks are more civil, but a plan remains elusive Despite the abundance of optimism pouring out of Harrisburg negotiating rooms over the past month, Pennsylvania is once again a week into a new budget year without a new budget. Lawmakers have sent Gov. Tom Wolf a key part of the plan: the bill that details state spending for 2016-17. And unlike last year, the Democratic... - Reading Eagle

Revenue or consequences: A look at what could be a pivotal week in budget negotiations Pennsylvania already missed its July 1 deadline for passing a 2016-17 budget, but that didn’t really surprise anyone. State officials rarely meet that deadline, for which there are no immediate consequences. Even when they do have spending and revenue plans completed in time, they often... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa.s' spend first, tax later approach is bad budgeting: Nathan Benefield By Nathan Benefield Last June, Gov. Tom Wolf sparked a fiasco by vetoing the General Assembly's budget in its entirety. nathan benefield horizontal.jpegNathan A. Benefield (PennLive file photo) The resulting 9-month impasse crippled nonprofits and threatened to shutter... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa House Republican lawmakers eye injured workers to help balance $31.6 billion budget HARRISBURG — Legislative leaders in the Republican-controlled House are eyeing another revenue source to help balance the state's $31.6 billion budget without a tax increase: injured workers. The idea calls for the state to take out a loan from a deficit-laden... - Allentown Morning Call

Taxpayers feel stalemate pain As the state Legislature blithely adjourned last week without providing funding for a 2016-17 budget, taxpayers already were guaranteed more pain from the last budget stalemate. Nine of the 10 school districts in Lackawanna County have raised property taxes for the coming year to address issues created by legislative... - Scranton Times

What a difference a year makes By state Sen. Pat Stefano | On June 30 bipartisan majorities of both the state Senate and House sent Gov. Tom Wolf a budget that will avoid the long and damaging budget impasse of last year caused by the governor’s insistence on broad-based tax increases on Pennsylvanians.... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

The time for 'small ball' school budgeting Is over In baseball, “small ball” — getting guys on base, moving them around one base at a time, bunts, singles, judicious steals, getting a run here and there if you’re lucky — can be a very effective approach under the right circumstances. But if you’re way behind late in the... - New Castle News

Taxpayers feel stalemate pain As the state Legislature blithely adjourned last week without providing funding for a 2016-17 budget, taxpayers already were guaranteed more pain from the last budget stalemate. School districts across the region have raised property taxes for the coming year to address issues created in part by legislative incompetence... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

A Week After Passage Of Pennsylvania Budget Bill, Still No Deal To Fund It HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — Talks continue in an effort to bring Pennsylvania’s state budget process to a close. A week after the legislature passed a budget bill, it still sits on Governor Tom Wolf’s desk, unsigned for lack of a revenue plan to pay for it. Governor Wolf has until Monday night to decide what to do with the budget... - KYW News Radio 1060

The state budget circus continues in Harrisburg At this writing, with the days ticking by, state lawmakers still had delivered just half a budget to Gov. Tom Wolf. Last week, the Legislature sent Wolf a $31.5 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1. Just one problem: They didn’t figure out... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Clock ticks down to another budget decision day for Wolf HARRISBURG, Pa. The clock kept ticking toward decision day for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on budget legislation that lacks the money to finance it as negotiators stayed quiet Wednesday about their private discussions... - AP

Switch to 2-year cycle for budget What about next year? Even though the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf have failed for the second straight year to adopt a budget on time, it’s not too soon to ponder the fiscal year 2018 budget. Because legislators passed the spending portion of the budget without agreeing to a tax bill to cover... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Scramble under way to find money for budget HARRISBURG — A week after lawmakers sent over a $31.5 billion spending plan, Gov. Tom Wolf is sitting pat, awaiting an explanation of how they will pay for it. “The bottom line is, we cannot spend money we don't have, and as the governor has said, he will not sign a budget without the revenue to support... - Sunbury Daily Item

Fooling Pennsylvanians all of the time It's amazing how little it takes to delude people into thinking something big or good is happening in state government. Recent “reform” legislation involving the LCB and public pensions has “election year” written all over every page. Since we seem so concerned about... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Pa. budget would give new funds for drug treatment By Jeffrey Benzing PublicSource There might be good news for those who care about drug treatment money. In the budget bill approved by the state Legislature — but not yet fully adopted as the final state budget — the commonwealth is giving $45.5 million to assist local drug treatment agencies in funding that... - Pocono Record

Where will new revenue come from? Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana, says there's little comparison between last year's budget stalemate and the current dispute surrounding the 2016-17 spending plan, which today is one week late. Reed is correct in a couple of ways. For starters, one week is not nine... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

July 6 Pa. Legislature needs to work quickly to fund budget plan THE ISSUE Republicans and Democrats in the Pennsylvania Legislature have reached an impasse on the budget for fiscal year 2016-17. Last week, lawmakers passed a spending plan, but they are now at odds over how to pay for it. Tax increases are the biggest stumbling block, though there is also... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Pennsylvania back in budget limbo HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania returns to budget limbo, a familiar situation in recent years as fiscal and political pressures continue to collide. The state budget for fiscal 2016-17 is not finished or on time because lawmakers have sent only a $31.5 billion spending bill to Gov. Tom Wolf for... - Scranton Times

School budgets see increase from state York County school districts will see an overall increase in education funding if the current state budget is signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf. The Legislature still needs to pass the revenue package of the state budget, which will fund the budget plan that the Pennsylvania House sent to... - York Dispatch

Clock ticks down to another budget decision day for Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf HARRISBURG >> The clock keeps ticking toward decision day for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on budget legislation that’S only partially funded... - AP

The $31.5 billion question: How will Pennsylvania pay for its budget? HARRISBURG — After failing to enact a state budget on time, Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican- controlled Legislature now find themselves working against a new deadline. The two sides have until midnight Monday to reach consensus on how to pay for the $31.5 billion spending plan lawmakers sent Mr. Wolf last week.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania budget talks enter new week with no news of a deal on taxes HARRISBURG — Negotiators reported no agreement on financing state government's $31.5 billion budget plan as top lawmakers met privately and apparently fruitlessly Tuesday in the quiet state Capitol five days into the state's fiscal year... - AP

Yet another five things to know about the #PaBudget: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. We are under-caffeinated and seriously behind this morning, so we're going to dispense with the pleasantries and get right into it. With a new week well underway and no final state budget deal in sight, here's your clip-and-save guide to where things stand with the fiscal... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Moody's to Pa.: Balance your budget or we'll boost your borrowing costs In advance of Pennsylvania's plan to borrow another $1.2 billion in a July 19 general-obligation bond issue, Moody's has slapped Pennsylvania with another Aa3 bond rating, among the lowest of any state -- and warned it may cut the rating another notch. The rating recognizes that Pennsylvania is rich enough to raise taxes to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Editorial: Lawmakers should act soon to finalize state budget The Issue: A dispute over taxes holds up what had seemed to be a smooth budget negotiation process. Our Opinion: The sooner this gets resolved, the better, so leaders can focus on other big issues facing Pennsylvania. We had hoped that by the time Pennsylvanians celebrated the Fourth of July this week that there... - Reading Eagle

Lawmakers try to fund state budget The clock is ticking as lawmakers work to determine how to pay for the $31.5 billion budget plan lawmakers sent to Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's desk. Lawmakers last week sent the main spending bill in the budget package to Wolf. But Wolf said he won't sign the budget without sustainable revenues... - Somerset Daily

One holiday weekend later, it's back to the drawing board in Pennsylvania tax talks Negotiators got back to the hard business of trying to close out a negotiated, election-year package of tax and revenue increases at the state Capitol Tuesday, with an eye toward a new, July 11 deadline. That's the date for Gov. Tom Wolf to decide to sign or veto the $31.5... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

$31.5 billion question: How will Pa. pay for budget? HARRISBURG - After failing to enact a state budget on time, Gov. Wolf and the Republican-controlled legislature now find themselves working against a new deadline. The two sides have until midnight Monday to reach consensus on how to pay for the $31.5 billion spending plan that lawmakers sent Wolf last week.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Switch to two-year budget cycle Gov. Tom Wolf delivers his budget address on Feb. 9 for the 2016-17 fiscal year to a joint session of the Pennsylvania House and Senate at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE) What about next year? Even though the Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf have... - Scranton Times

Late again — budget bill in flux State lawmakers claimed Thursday that they had passed a budget in time for the July start of the 2017 fiscal year. But it is an extraordinary claim given that they adopted only the appropriations bill, which was about $1 billion short of being balanced. The $31.5 billion spending bill has some good features, including a $200... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

July 5 Budget talks enter new week with no news of a deal on taxes HARRISBURG, Pa. Negotiators are reporting no agreement on financing Pennsylvania state government's $31.5 billion budget plan... - AP

Gov. Wolf, give York Co. more $ to protect kids (editorial) If it doesn't get more resources, maybe the county should call the state's takeover bluff. The York County Department of Children, Youth and Families has failed its fourth-straight inspection. Now the state Department of Human Services is threatening to take over if... - York Daily

Crawford County legislators explain why they voted yes or no to state budget Three Crawford County state legislators weighed in on why they voted for or against the state budget approved by both the House and Senate this week. State Reps. Kathy Rapp and Brad Roae, both Republicans, voted no for the bill approved by the House. Republican Sen. Michele Brooks voted yes in the... - Meadville Tribune

Pa. budget on time, but far from complete | Editorial The state of Pennsylvania has an on-time budget. Half of one, anyway. As the fiscal-year clock was winding down Thursday, the House of Representatives adopted a 2016-17 spending plan that the Senate had blessed a day earlier. Gov. Tom Wolf had pledged to sign a bipartisan package, thus... - Easton Express-Times

COLUMN: Did public's outcry speed up this year's state budget process? It appears the state Legislature may have passed a state budget on time this year as long as the governor signs it. If you recall, the 2015-16 budget was more than nine months late and became law without the governor's signature. Hopefully, some of the public's outcry had some effect on this year's... - Meadville Tribune

State budget divide: Republicans, Democrats pass July 1 deadline without an agreement July 1 has come and gone and Pennsylvania still doesn't have a budget. While negotiations continue, the Associated Press reported on Friday that rank-and-file members were sent home while legislative leaders continue the effort. Tax increases appear to be at the heart of the battle.... - Warren Times Observer

EDITORIAL: What a difference a year makes in Pa. budget process What a difference a year makes. In the waning days of June 2015, the Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf, celebrating his first six months in office, were sparring over state budget proposals. Among the obstacles to an agreement were the Legislature insisting on... - Pottstown Mercury

Taxpayers have no more to give While most of official Harrisburg and the state’s media were focused on the rickety construction of yet another $30-plus billion state budget, something that... - Bloomsburg Press Enterprise

House deadlocked on #PaBudget funding plan, report: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. After a week of bipartisan budget hosannas in the state House, Republican and Democrats in the lower chamber have hit a wall on how to pay for the $31.6 billion spending plan. As our friends at NewsWorks/WHYY-FM report this Tuesday morning, majority... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf, legislators: Where will money come from? The appropriations bill, which is the heart of the 2016-17 Pennsylvania budget, is headed to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf after the state House passed a $31.5 billion spending plan by a vote of 144-54 on Thursday evening. The proposed bill is an increase of about 4.5 percent over last year's... - York Daily

Editorial: Harrisburg sings different budget tune What a difference a year makes. In the waning days of June 2015, the Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf - celebrating his first six months - in office were sparring over state budget proposals. Among the obstacles to an agreement were the Legislature insisting on... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

July 3 Who are the winners and losers in the 2016-17 budget from what we know so far Determining the winners and losers in this 2016-17 budget with the new fiscal year now underway should be easy. After all, a spending and revenue plan to fund state government is supposed to be in place by now. But 2015-16 taught Pennsylvanians the hard way it doesn't always work out... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Late again — no budget State lawmakers claimed Thursday that they had passed a budget in time for the July start of the 2017 fiscal year. But it is an extraordinary claim given that they adopted only the appropriations bill, which was about $1 billion short of being balanced. The $31.5 billion spending bill has some good features, including a $200... - Scranton Times

Pa. budget on time, but far from complete | Editorial The state of Pennsylvania has an on-time budget. Half of one, anyway. As the fiscal-year clock was winding down Thursday, the House of Representatives adopted a 2016-17 spending plan that the Senate had blessed a day earlier. Gov. Tom Wolf had pledged to sign a bipartisan package, thus... - Easton Express-Times

Legislature, Gov. Tom Wolf stalled on a tax and revenue package Lobbyists milled in the Rotunda. House leaders scurried in and out of meetings. Senate leaders and then House leaders sent rank-and-file lawmakers home to await an emergency call that would summon them back to vote on the last pieces of a 2016-17 budget. That was the Capitol political scene Friday, a day after the... - Allentown Morning Call

In their words: Where talks on a revenue plan stand, according to House leaders House Republican and Democratic leaders emerged from an afternoon meeting indicating that a deal on a revenue plan to balance the $31.5 billion state spending plan approved on Thursday remains a work in progress. The spending bill reached Gov. Tom Wolf's desk on Friday, which means the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Disagreements over taxes, gambling expansion leave state budget unfinished as holiday weekend begins Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers once sang: "The waiting is the hardest part." But when public policy meets politics in an election year, it is truly the taxes that are the hardest part. Gov. Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania lawmakers proved the point Friday, when,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Some work, few developments on Pa. budget over holiday weekend It looks like Pennsylvania lawmakers will be home for the 4th of July... but without that completed budget they'd hoped for after a surprisingly sturdy season of bipartisanship this spring. While a $31.5 billion spending plan is ready for Gov. Tom Wolf's signature,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

New fiscal year, same faces representing Philly in Harrisburg and D.C. Mayor Kenney will be keeping the city’s longtime lobbyist Holly Kinser for another month. He is also keeping one of his predecessor's federal lobbyists for a full year. Kinser’s contract was due to end Thursday but given that the mayor’s office is still reviewing proposals for new lobbyists in... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Deep divide over taxes drags out budget talks The Pennsylvania Legislature’s deep divide over tax increases dashed hopes in the Capitol on Friday for a quick end to state budget negotiations, and leaders sent rank-and-file lawmakers home while they worked to find a solution with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf... - AP

Pa. legislators leave Capitol for holiday with no deal on how to pay for budget The Republican-controlled House and Senate left the Capitol building Friday — possibly for the entire holiday weekend — without having resolved how they are going to pay for the $31.5 billion budget they have sent to Gov. Tom Wolf. After hours of closed-door talks, leaders in the two chambers sent their... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

July 1 How Delco politicians voted on the Pennsylvania budget By Kathleen E. Carey RICK KAUFFMAN - DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA ¬ Pennsylvania State Rep. James Santora spoke at the dedication of a playground for children with Austism Spectrum Disorder Monday morning at Primos Elementary School. View and purchase photos Five members of the Delaware County state House delegation Tuesday voted in... - Garnet Valley Press

State budget bill advances without revenue plan HARRISBURG — State lawmakers gave final approval to a $31.5 billion annual budget — but not the money to pay for it — just hours before a deadline Thursday to complete the spending plan. Pennsylvania starts the 2016-17 fiscal year today with a budget bill going... - Scranton Times

Wolf Withholds Signature On Budget Pending Revenue Package PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Hours ahead of the midnight Thursday deadline, the state House sent Governor Wolf a new state budget bill. But the governor says he won’t sign it until there’s a plan to pay for it. Negotiations continue on that front. Governor Wolf is getting a budget that provides an extra $200-million for... - KYW News Radio 1060

Cumberland County forced into retroactive contracts after last year's state budget blockage As the state continued yesterday to hedge the possibility of passing an on-time budget, local governments were still feeling the aftershocks of the last fiscal debacle. The Cumberland County Commissioners, for instance, found themselves in the unusual position of retroactively approving contracts that had started at... - Carlisle Sentinel

White, Vogel back state budget bill But questions on deficit linger. Two of the three state senators representing Butler County backed a House-authored state budget bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday, but acknowledged that questions remain about how the state will pay for its increased costs.... - Butler Eagle

'Backdoor' tax hike likely as state budget nears governor's desk They aren't sure when it will be finished. And they don't know what they'll do to pay for it. But if there's one thing that's clear about the budget being haggled over in Harrisburg, it's that it'll come with a tax increase. Thank you for reading! - Somerset Daily

Gov. Wolf gets budget bill, tax issue looms HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Legislature on Thursday sent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf the main budget bill with hours to spare before the start of the new fiscal year, but left undone the challenge of figuring out how to raise more than $1 billion in new revenues to fund it.... - Erie Times-News

Tax decisions await lawmakers as they resume work on budget Pennsylvania lawmakers are returning to work on the state's spending plan for the coming year, facing decisions about tax increases a day after they sent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf the main budget bill... - AP

Legislation to hike PILT rate in state budget The state General Assembly has presented a budget to Gov. Tom Wolf that, as of late Thursday, contained some good news for cash-strapped rural areas. Legislation to increase the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) paid by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources from $3.60 an acre... - Bradford Era

'I have been able to witness total madness,' Sen. Scott Wagner says of #PaBudget vote: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. As we head into that final furlong before the long holiday weekend, we realized that it had been a while since we'd checked in with state Sen. Scott Wagner. As it turns out, our timing couldn't have been better. In the wake of Thursday's state House vote that... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pennsylvania budget watch" 'We've got some ways to go' HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania legislators returned to the Capitol today — the first day of the state's new fiscal year — hoping to figure out how to actually pay for the $31.5 billion spending plan they sent to Gov. Wolf. By early afternoon, there were no clear answers.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Spending plan settled, lawmakers still need to pay for it HARRISBURG – Lawmakers passed a $31.5 billion budget Thursday night, just hours before the end of the state’s fiscal year. The Legislature has yet to explain how the state will pay for a 4.5 percent spending increase. But both chambers are expected to return to work Friday... - New Castle News

Highlights of Pennsylvania budget legislation Highlights of the main budget bill passed Thursday by the Pennsylvania Legislature, hours before the start of the state government's 2016-17 fiscal year.... - AP

Tax decisions dog lawmakers as they resume work on budget HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania lawmakers are continuing work on the state's spending plan for the just-started fiscal year, facing decisions about tax increases a day after they sent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf the main budget bill... - AP

State spending plan passed HARRISBURG – Lawmakers passed a $31.5 billion budget Thursday night, just hours before the end of the state’s fiscal year. The Legislature has yet to explain how the state will pay for a 4.5 percent spending increase. But both chambers are expected to return to work Friday... - Sharon Herald

Pa. lawmakers OK spending plan, but not how to pay for it HARRISBURG - With hours to spare before the start of the new fiscal year, the Republican-controlled legislature gave its final sign-off to a $31.5 billion spending plan that Gov. Wolf said he could support. That was the good news for those aiming for an on-time budget.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Spending plan settled; lawmakers still need to pay for it HARRISBURG – Lawmakers passed a $31.5 billion budget Thursday night, just hours before the end of the state’s fiscal year. The Legislature has yet to explain how the state will pay for a 4.5 percent spending increase. But both chambers are expected to return to work today... - Sunbury Daily Item

Your school property taxes are probably rising again. Here's how much — and why Liana Roadcloud lives in a town where homeowners pay some of the region's highest property tax rates, where the schools struggle academically, and where the fiscal year that begins Friday will bring exactly what she doesn't want: another tax hike. Tony Scott, 65, of Collingdale.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State budget bill headed to governor's desk, but still no agreement on how to pay for it HARRISBURG — With hours to spare before the start of the new fiscal year, the Republican-controlled Legislature gave its final sign-off to a $31.5 billion spending plan that Gov. Tom Wolf said he can support. That was the good news for those aiming for an on-time budget.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Legislature sends $31.6 billion budget to Gov. Tom Wolf for his approval HARRISBURG — The House approved a $31.6 billion budget and sent it to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature Thursday evening. The 144-54 vote allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic governor to accomplish the bipartisan political victory of passing a 2016-17 budget before the close of the current fiscal year at... - Allentown Morning Call

When is a finished budget really a finished budget? The answer will matter in 2018: John L. Micek Here's how the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word "Budget:" 1. An amount of money available for spending that is based on a plan for it will be spent. 2. A plan used to decide the amount of money that can be spent and how it will be spent. 3. An official statement from a government about how much it plans to spend... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Jeers and cheers JEERS: Indications are that we won’t have a state budget impasse like we had last year. That was the longest one in the state’s history, going on for nine months before finally being resolved in March. Gov. Wolf and Republican lawmakers have made a number of compromises, but as of... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Gov. Tom Wolf will sign 2016-17 budget on one condition Gov. Tom Wolf issued a statement following the House's 144-54 vote on a $31.5 general fund spending plan on Thursday that praised General Assembly's decision to invest more in education and in the fight to combat the opioid epidemic gripping this state. He said he would sign it into law "as soon as there is a sustainable... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The Latest: House passes main Pennsylvania budget bill The Latest on legislative efforts to pass a new state budget for Pennsylvania (all times local):.. - AP

Legislature OKs state budget; critics say it's not balanced HARRISBURG — Meeting a midnight deadline, the GOP-dominated General Assembly on Thursday approved a $31.6 billion state budget, even with critics saying it's out of balance and one senator describing the process as “total madness.” The Senate-approved budget, OK'd by a 144-54 vote in the House, now goes to... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

House sends Gov. Tom Wolf a $31.5 billion spending plan while still figuring out how to pay for it OK, Pennsylvanians, we now have a 2016-17 spending plan to send to Gov. Tom Wolf for enactment and unlike this year, it will arrive before the new fiscal year started. The House on Thursday evening voted 144-54 to approve the spending plan that the Senate passed 47-3 on Wednesday. Half of the House votes in... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf gets main Pennsylvania budget bill but tax issue looms The Pennsylvania Legislature on Thursday sent Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf the main budget bill with hours to spare before the start of the new fiscal year, but left undone the challenge of figuring out how to raise more than $1 billion in new revenues to fund it... - AP

In their words: Where talks on a revenue plan stand, according to House leaders House leaders offer their view on the status of talks on finalizing a revenue plan House Republican and Democratic leaders emerged from an afternoon meeting indicating that a deal on a revenue plan to balance the $31.5 billion state spending plan approved on Thursday remains a work in progress.... - MCALL

Lawmakers react as budget goes to governor It's still a lot of money, but the budget will pass on time, local legislators say. The past week's last stitch in a bare knuckles budget battle is drawing to a close as the House considers the Senate's amended budget bill. It is not as long and drawn out as the 2015-16 budget impasse, but legislators are... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

June 30 Senate advances House budget bill, with funding in limbo HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Senate took quick action on the House's just-passed budget package Wednesday, a day before the state government's fiscal-year deadline, although divisions remained over how to pay for the nearly $31.6 billion spending plan... - AP

Pa. Senate passes Wolf’s budget proposal, local lawmakers in support Local state lawmakers are backing a proposed state budget they say adds millions of dollars for education and the fight against opioid abuse. The state Senate, by a vote of 47-3, passed a proposed budget on Wednesday, and the spending plan was due to head back to the House.... - Bradford Era

State budget analysis: More civility, but more work remains The knockdown partisan battles that stretched on for months are over. This year, state budget deliberations have taken a more cordial tone. According to sources briefed on closed-door negotiations, the administration of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican leaders in both... - Reading Eagle

Clock ticking for Wolf and lawmakers to pass new budget Less than 10 hours... - AP

Down to the wire on state budget Last year on this date, June 30, 2015, Gov. Wolf and Pennsylvania lawmakers were about as far apart as they could be in their effort to craft a state budget to take effect the following day. The budget deadline came and went, and the two sides continued their trench warfare through the end of the... - Levittown Intelligencer

Senate amends budget bill, sends it back to House The Pennsylvania Senate took quick action on the House’s just-passed budget package Wednesday, a day before the state government’s fiscal-year deadline, although divisions remained over how to pay for the nearly $31.6 billion spending plan. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 47-3 after making minor changes to... - York Dispatch

Pennsylvania Senate Tweaks House Budget Bill HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) — The Pennsylvania House and Senate have now both passed a bill authorizing a new state budget. But the Senate made changes to the budget bill passed by the House Tuesday, and a spokesman for the House majority leader says those changes will have to be reviewed.... - KYW News Radio 1060

Five more things to know about the #PaBudget: Thursday Morning Coffee Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Today is June 30, which means it's the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year is nearly upon us. And, at midnight tonight, state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, festooned with garland and blinking lights, will make a 60-second descent down the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The No-Bullshit Guide to the 2016 Pennsylvania Budget Battle Wait, are Gov. Wolf and Republicans actually going to agree to a spending plan this year? Why the change of heart? Here’s everything you need to know about the budget due Thursday. By Jared Brey | June 29, 2016 at 2:37 pm It’s budget season once again in Harrisburg. Or more accurately,... - Philadelphia Magazine

Court dismisses suit over budget-fight holdup of school aid HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania judge is dismissing a lawsuit over held-up state and federal school aid during a record-breaking budget stalemate... - AP

The Latest: House noncommittal on Senate budget bill HARRISBURG, Pa. The Latest on budget developments in the Pennsylvania Legislature (all times local):.. - AP

Chester County lawmakers applaud state budget HARRISBURG >> As the clock ticks toward the state budget deadline, several Chester County legislators have shown their support for the $31 billion spending plan. The House voted 132-68 Tuesday to approve the budget bill that has a Friday deadline as the fiscal year ends on July 1. The state Senate then voted on... - West Chester Daily Local News

More Pennsylvania spending votes loom, amid tax debate The Pennsylvania House and Senate returned to the session on the last day of the state's fiscal year Thursday, with differences remaining over a tax package to finance a $31.5 billion budget plan... - AP

Pa. Senate OKs $31.6 billion budget; how to pay for it is next HARRISBURG — The state Senate voted Wednesday to approve a $31.6 billion budget for the fiscal year that begins Friday. That's about $95 million more than what the House had approved Tuesday night, when other spending is adjusted. A big chunk of the Senate's proposed increase would provide an additional... - Allentown Morning Call

Counties' critical budget needs Counties' critical budget needs By Douglas Hill Executive director County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania Today (June 30) is the deadline for the governor and the state legislature to deliver a state budget. With the memory of the Fiscal Year 2015-2016 state budget impasse still... - Clarion News

More votes loom on spending, amid differences over funding HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Pennsylvania House and Senate are returning to session on the last day of the state government's fiscal year, with differences remaining on a tax package necessary to finance a $31.5 billion budget plan... - AP

$31.5 billion Pa. state budget goes back to House's woodshed, at least for a day, after Senate changes With some deft accounting, the state Senate came up with more money for Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities Wednesday, even as it lowered total spending from a budget bill passed by the state House a day before. The winners are the state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt and Temple... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Legislators address budget passed by House LOCK HAVEN - Local state legislators offered several positive comments about the Pa. House approval of a state appropriations package - which faces an uncertain future as it approaches the scrutiny of the Senate and Governor Tom Wolf. The House's $31.55 billion spending plan marks a five percent increase from... - Lock Haven Express

Senate OKs House budget bill in Pennsylvania HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Senate took quick action on the House's just-passed budget package Wednesday, a day before the state government's fiscal-year deadline, although divisions remained over how to pay for the nearly $31.6 billion spending plan... - AP

PA-BGT: Senate Passes $31.6 Billion Deal The PA State Senate and House of Representatives are closing in on a budget package worth $31.6 billion. The upper chamber seemingly approved a $31.53 billion budget by a 47-3 vote Wednesday evening, just a day after the House passed a $31.55 billion plan. Senate leaders from both parties said their deal would be around $20... - POLITICS PA

Senate passes state budget, but sources of funding still murky HARRISBURG — The Republican-controlled Legislature appears determined to beat the clock and send Gov. Tom Wolf a budget before the start of the new fiscal year. Less than 24 hours after the House passed a $31.5 billion spending plan, the Senate on Wednesday tweaked the proposal and swiftly passed it in a... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Senate makes “minor changes” to Pa. budget bill, sends back to House HARRISBURG, Pa. -- With the intention of sending Governor Tom Wolf a state budget for him to sign at the end of the fiscal year on Thursday, the state Senate agreed with nearly everything the House sent over less than a day earlier. Senators approved the budget plan by a vote of 47 to 3 on Wednesday. It... - FOX 43

Senate approves Pa. budget measure, adding in funds for higher education The Pennsylvania Senate easily passed a $31.53 billion general fund budget bill with a few revisions that will require a final ratification by the House of Representatives, likely on Thursday. The passed on a 47-3 vote, with opposition coming only from Republican... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

June 29 Pa House OKs $31.5 billion budget and moves it to Senate HARRISBURG — In a bipartisan vote, the House on Tuesday evening passed a $31.5 billion budget that increases spending by 5 percent by expanding gambling options, putting higher taxes on tobacco products, counting on more alcohol sales and allowing tax cheats to pay up.... - Allentown Morning Call

The Latest: Pennsylvania House OKs budget bill Wolf panned HARRISBURG, Pa. The Latest on budget developments in the Pennsylvania Legislature (all times local):.. - AP

House approves sweeping gambling expansion bill, sending it to Senate Without any debate, the House voted on Tuesday 114-85 to approve a bill that would represent Pennsylvania's third expansion of gambling in six years. It would create an online gaming industry, regulate fantasy sports betting and allows gambling in airports. Here's a nuts and bolts review of the sweeping gambling expansion the Pa.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

These are the five biggest things to know about the #PaBudget: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. As some of you may have heard by now, Pennsylvania could be on track to an on-time state budget for the first time in Gov. Tom Wolf's young administration. But before you break out the party hats and start planning celebrations for... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

PA House Passes Budget Bill HARRISBURG (CBS) — Facing a Thursday deadline, the state House – as expected — has passed a bi- partisan budget plan. But the fate of the spending plan remains uncertain in the Senate, and with Governor Wolf. Montgomery County Republican Kate Harper spoke in favor of the spending... - KYW News Radio 1060

Inching toward budget deal? Pa. Senate oks $31.5B spending plan The Republican-controlled legislature appears determined to beat the clock and send Gov. Wolf a budget before the start of the new fiscal year. Less than 24 hours after the House passed a $31.5 billion spending plan, the Senate slightly tweaked the proposal and began positioning it for a... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania House OKs budget; battle looms on how to pay for it HARRISBURG — The House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $31.5 billion budget with heavy support from both Republicans and Democrats — but a stubborn behind-the-scenes fight remains over how to pay for it. The plan passed by the GOP-dominated House in a 132-68 vote would spend... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Senate eyes House's budget bill panned by Wolf as unbalanced HARRISBURG, Pa. The Pennsylvania Legislature is in session, a day before the state government's fiscal-year deadline and no sign on how the Senate will handle the House's just-passed budget bill... - AP

County’s legislators critical of proposed spending June 29, 2016 The state budget continues to see progress in the House, passing Tuesday night on a 114-85 vote, but local lawmakers are weary of constant increases to spending. State Rep. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

House passes $31.6 billion spending plan, putting Pa. on track for an on-time budget The House on Tuesday passed a $31.6 billion spending plan for 2016-17 that sets the table for a final round of negotiations with the Senate and Gov. Tom Wolf. The plan, which still awaits a finalized revenue plan to raise the money needed to balance spending at that level, now goes to the Senate with two... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Support, opposition for House-approved state spending plan extends beyond party lines While the state House approved a $31.6 billion appropriations budget in a 132-68 vote on Tuesday, southwest Pennsylvania legislators were anything but united, regardless of party affiliations. Supporters lauded the budget as a successful compromise between Republicans... - Ellwood City Ledger

Editorial | Budget is within reach, now close the deal Our hopes for a state budget that is passed on time – or close to the June 30 deadline – may rest on the memories of those in Harrisburg who must agree on a spending plan. And the motivation of those elected lawmakers for staying in their jobs. All of the members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and half of... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Pa. House OKs budget; battle looms on how to pay for it HARRISBURG - The House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $31.5 billion budget with heavy support from Republicans and Democrats, but a stubborn behind-the-scenes fight remains over how to pay for it. The plan passed by the GOP-dominated House in a 132-68 vote would spend... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania needs budget on time, auditor general says Reading, PA With the budget deadline just days away, state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale called on legislators and the governor to work together to avoid another lengthy impasse. He warned that school districts, nonprofit agencies and counties cannot afford to wait.... - Reading Eagle

Gov. Wolf returns to real world Welcome to the not-so-wonderful world of politics, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. It took 18 months for the novice businessman from York County to get the message, but his recent announcement proved that he has returned from a fantasyland in outer space and back to reality.... - Lehighton Times News

Gingrich endorses 2016-17 state budget bill Pennsylvania has a budget for the upcoming year with a local representative's stamp of approval. Rep. Mauree Gingrich (R-Lebanon), voted Tuesday evening to approve a $31.55 billion state budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year, which begins July 1. "I was pleased to see the bipartisan support for this budget," Gingrich... - Lebanon Daily News

Pennsylvania state budget talk turns to taxes, and the ideas are flowing On a day when the Pennsylvania House of Representatives easily passed a $31.55 billion budget bill, there was no clear progress to be seen on the yet-to-be-determined revenue and taxes needed to pay for it. No revenue bill has been passed in either legislative chamber yet, though... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Pa. budget faces uncertain future A House budget plan voted out of committee late Monday faces an uncertain future on the House floor and in the Senate. And Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday that he has concerns over the legislation, but he said there is still time to fix it before the state... - York Dispatch

The time for small ball school budgeting is over In baseball, “small ball” – getting guys on base, moving them around one base at a time, bunts, singles, judicious steals, getting a run here and there if you’re lucky – can be a very effective approach under the right circumstances. But if you’re way behind late in the... - Sharon Herald

Pennsylvania budget process moves ahead as deadline looms Lawmakers in Harrisburg this week validated a shared sense of optimism between Democrats and Republicans that they will be able to pass a state budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year on or near the Thursday deadline -- but they failed to persuade Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Erie Times-News

House passes $31.6Mbudget, gambling bills HARRISBURG — House lawmakers approved a $31.6 billion state budget and related gambling expansion legislation by bipartisan votes Tuesday. The House-developed budget bill, passed 132-68 and was sent to the Senate, would boost state spending for basic education by $200 million and fund... - Scranton Times

Wolf: No hasty budget decision HARRISBURG — A budget picking up support from lawmakers falls short of Gov. Tom Wolf's expectations and has been criticized by the governor for not filling the state's $1.8 billion financial hole. But while political observers say Wolf wants to avoid another protracted... - Sunbury Daily Item

Pa. House approves $31.5 billion budget; Senate next HARRISBURG — A proposed state budget cleared its first hurdle Tuesday night, but still has a ways to go before the cash begins to flow. The full House approved a $31.5 billion budget proposal by a vote of 132-68. The proposal would boost spending by $1.4 billion, almost 5... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf says Democratic convention won't force budget deal HARRISBURG — A budget picking up support from lawmakers falls short of Gov. Tom Wolf’s expectations and has been criticized by the governor for not filling the state’s $1.8 billion financial hole. But while political observers say Wolf wants to avoid another protracted... - New Castle News

June 27 State budget talks inch closer to an agreement; 'the last mile is the hardest mile to get to' A 2016-17 state budget agreement remained a work in progress going into Monday although legislative leaders hinted a conclusion could come soon. House and Senate Republican and Democratic leaders met twice on Sunday evening, both times coming out suggesting that movement toward a tentative... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

As budget deadline nears, no agreement, no talks set HARRISBURG - With four days until the deadline for a state budget - and the memory of last year's impasse still raw - Gov. Wolf and the Republican-dominated legislature have no deal and no face-to- face talks scheduled, and have shown little evidence of the political will for... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Baer: Politics of the pending state budget AS HARRISBURG moves toward a new state budget, let's take a look at the short- and long-term politics involved. You might want to sit down. This gets dizzying. First, the budget's getting done more or less on schedule without any big-time personal taxes and amid a new cordiality under Harrisburg's Big... - Philadelphia Daily News

Pennsylvania budget unlikely to be passed before June 30 deadline HARRISBURG — The start of Pennsylvania state government’s 2016-17 fiscal year is just four days away and key budget legislation remains under negotiation behind closed doors... - AP

June 26 Just say no When Tom Wolf was running for governor two years ago, he ran a campaign largely based on his promise to institute a severance tax on Marcellus shale and use that money to improve the state’s public school system. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Guest Editorial: Setting a roadmap for the coming budget This year’s budget requires common sense and an understanding that we are the stewards of other peoples’ money — the hard earned tax dollars of citizens. Gov. Wolf will have his budget goals, as will members of the House and Senate. We can find a way to reach an understanding, but only after we... - Carlisle Sentinel

State budget situation 'fluid,' legislators say With five days until the deadline for a state budget — and the memory of last year's impasse still raw — Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-dominated Legislature have no deal, no face-to-face talks scheduled and have shown little evidence of the political will for... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Editorial: Legislature should cut staff on way to responsible budget The General Assembly should look inward for spending reductions. - Reading Eagle

Drink, smoke, spin — Pa. bets future on sin taxes | Editorial If Pennsylvania is to have a balanced, on-time budget, it will be carried into the new fiscal year Friday on the backs of gamblers and smokers. It won't be the first time the needs of education, social services, healthcare and other state programs have been bolstered by an infusion of... - Easton Express-Times

Bills move, budget deadline nears The end of June brings passage of a flood of legislation, and lawmakers are in session for extended hours as they try to meet the June 30 deadline to pass a state budget and then recess for the summer. Here are some bills seeing action in the House and Senate.... - Scranton Times

June 24 Natural gas bubbles back into Pa. budget picture, but not as Gov. Tom Wolf had originally advertised Natural gas may yet provide the final solution to Pennsylvania's state budget woes, but not in the way policy-makers have debated for years. Wolf administration and legislative negotiators confirmed interest Thursday in a proposal that would extend the state's sales tax on utilities –... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Where’s the money? June 24, 2016 When the July 1, 2015, state budget was not signed by Gov. Wolf, the money stayed in Harrisburg, not used. People who get paychecks did without money. more »» - Williamsport Sun- Gazette

Pa. Senate sends pension reform plan back to drawing board HARRISBURG - For now, at least, the Pennsylvania House and Senate are agreeing to disagree on the best way to deal with the skyrocketing cost of public employee pensions. The Senate on Thursday rejected the pension proposal approved this month by the House. One prominent Republican said the chambers will form a joint... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Budget makers eye revival of natural gas gross receipts tax HARRISBURG, Pa. Budget makers in an 11th-hour search for cash to support a deficit-strapped budget are considering reinstating a gross receipts tax on natural gas sales in Pennsylvania, senators said Thursday... - AP

EDITORIAL: Wolf at the door? Guv changes tune on tax hike Are they putting something in the water out in Harrisburg? First, both the House and Senate signed off on a huge step forward in the sales of alcohol in Pennsylvania, paving the way for citizens to be able to buy a bottle of wine in their local supermarket. Gov. Tom Wolf, who has not exactly been a fan of moves to get the state out... - Pottstown Mercury

The bill that started in the kitchen (column) Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill Occasionally, I hear people say the only responsibility the General Assembly has is to get the state budget passed. Considering the many issues that are important to Pennsylvanians, I think that statement could not be further from the truth.... - York Daily

Here's why the General Assembly needs to boost school funding by June 30: Nathan Mains By Nathan Mains With only a few days away from the June 30 state budget deadline, all eyes are toward Harrisburg. Some of those watching most intently are school officials nervous of what may happen to their students in the event of another protracted budget stalemate.... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Nearing deadline, 'What I continue to be focused on is a balanced budget': Gov. Tom Wolf With seven days to go to pass a new state budget, the Wolf administration is waging a new public relations campaign, plugging what it describes as "significant compromises" aimed at avoiding a repeat of last year's stalemate. Whether that's enough to get a deal is still anyone's guess, but Gov. Tom... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Biennial budgeting not the answer to state budget woes As Pennsylvania wades into another tough-to-meet budget deadline, there is a push for a biennial budget that would coincide with the two-year legislative sessions. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Editorial: When all else fails, roll the dice Pennsylvania is flat broke. Actually, it’s worse than that. We’re swimming in red ink. But we’re not just out of money. We’re out of ideas on how to remedy the situation. The state direly needs new sources of revenue, but Republicans in the Legislature refuse to consider tax hikes. Even Gov. Wolf this week raised... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

June 23 He's learning Bowing to political reality, Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday he’s backing off his latest budget proposal, which called for an increase in the state sales and income taxes. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

In state budget talks, debate emerges over curbing heroin addiction A political battle involves two distinct treatment approaches in Harrisburg. - Reading Eagle

House votes to expand gambling in Pa. HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to a proposal to legalize online wagering and permit slot machines in airports and off-track betting locations, after earlier defeating a plan that would have also allowed video gaming in bars.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

Editorial: Wolf at the door? Guv changes tune on tax hike Are they putting something in the water out in Harrisburg? First, both the House and Senate signed off on a huge step forward in the sales of alcohol in Pennsylvania, paving the way for citizens to be able to buy a bottle of wine in their local supermarket. Gov. Tom Wolf, who has not exactly been a fan of moves to get the state out... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Service agency advocates rally in Greensburg for on-time passage of state budget Linda Parker has been a user of social service programs for nearly two decades and is worried she will be left on her own without the timely passage of a state budget. Parker of Latrobe was one of more than a dozen people who spoke Wednesday at a noon rally in the courtyard in front of the Westmoreland County... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

'A perfect storm': Most central Pa. school districts approving tax hikes to weather rising costs Most school districts in central Pennsylvania are looking to raise taxes next school year, and for a handful, those increases will be as high as 5, 6 or 7 percent over last year's rates. Out of 46 school districts PennLive contacted in Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, Lebanon, Lancaster and northern York counties, 39 have either... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Berks lawmakers see hope for on-time budget Will state lawmakers have a spending plan in place by this time next week? Most local legislators say they're optimistic they can deliver a budget on - or just a few days beyond - the June 30 deadline to avoid a repeat of the nine-month stalemate last year that crippled schools and nonprofit... - Reading Eagle

June 22 Counties seek timely budget with adequate funding Just two weeks remain in the state’s fiscal year, and with the memory of the FY 2015-2016 state budget impasse still fresh in everyone’s minds, counties are anxiously keeping an eye on Harrisburg. A timely budget, and one that begins to restore funding for key county human... - Uniontown Herald- Standard

Early start could spark budget deal For politicians, early-childhood education is a case of narrow window and a far horizon. In Pennsylvania, state legislators are too focused on that horizon. Abundant research on education and brain development shows that there is a relatively narrow window, between ages 3 and 5, in which to best establish... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Gov. Wolf: We can balance Pa. budget without hike in sales tax or income tax Pennsylvania can balance its budget and provide $250 million more for K12 education without raising its income tax or sales tax, Gov. Tom Wolf said Tuesday. In an interview on Pittsburgh radio station KDKA, the Democratic governor also called for funding to address the state's heroin crisis.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Wolf drops income/sales tax proposal HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf dropped a proposal Tuesday to hike state income and sales taxes and school principals lobbied for more state education aid with the state budget deadline just eight days away. The Democratic governor delivered two budget addresses calling for hikes in... - Scranton Times

Another Pa. budget impasse will hurt older people | Letter July 1 is coming fast for the Harrisburg budget deadline. Older adults in Pennsylvania are making plans in case they're forced again to wonder where their next meal is coming from. Last year's prolonged state budget impasse led senior support services providers to borrow money, downsize or even cancel essential programs such... - Easton Express-Times

Wolf points to concerns over sweeping gambling expansion Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is casting doubt on the immediate prospects of a sweeping expansion of legalized casino-style gambling in Pennsylvania to the internet and bars that's under consideration... - AP

Gov. Wolf will not seek income, sales tax hikes HARRISBURG — In a shift that could ease the path to a budget deal, Gov. Wolf said Tuesday that he will no longer seek a hike in the state’s personal income or sales tax to raise new revenue. Instead, the governor told a Pittsburgh radio station, he believes he can... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Tom Wolf says Pennsylvania budget can hit goals without major tax increase HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf backed off his latest proposal for an increase in sales or income taxes, saying Tuesday his budget priorities can be met without it... - AP

Wolf backs off call for sales, income tax increases Local lawmakers are optimistic about the budget process now that Gov. Tom Wolf has said he believes the budget can be balanced without a personal income or sales tax increase. Wolf said while on KDKA radio Tuesday that the state can balance the budget, provide an additional $250 million for basic education and include... - Somerset Daily

Is compromise in air as new budget deadline looms? - York Dispatch

June 21 From the Capitol Paul Schemel — "June is budget month in Harrisburg, and the atmosphere this year is markedly different than last," according to state Rep. Paul Schemel, a Republican whose district includes Franklin County. "Republicans and Democrats, legislators and the governor are all focused on avoiding another... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Harrisburg should curb waste, not fund it By Elizabeth Stelle What do waking up, driving to work and stopping at Starbucks have in common ? Each of these seemingly mundane activities is impacted by state taxes. Think about it: You likely wake up in your home, provided you pay your annual property tax bill. Your car’s gas is taxed at the highest rate... - Levittown Intelligencer

Gov. Tom Wolf says he will not ask for tax hikes HARRISBURG — Gov. Wolf said this morning he will no longer seek a hike in the state's income or sales tax to fund the state budget. In an interview on a Pittsburgh radio station barely a week before the July 1 budget deadline, the governor said he believes he can achieve his... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

ATR Launches Campaign to Defeat Vapor Products Tax Hike in Pennsylvania On the heels of a July 1 deadline for the FY 2016-2016 budget, legislative leaders and Governor Tom Wolf (D-Pa.) are in the final stretch on deciding the size of the annual budget and whether tax hikes will be an element of the deal. Unlike last year, broad based tax increases including the sales... - ATR.ORG

Legislature to vote this week on new budget HARRISBURG — The Legislature could begin voting this week on a budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Republican legislative leaders met privately Monday to review last-minute budget strategies and emerged largely mum on any progress, perhaps to... - Allentown Morning Call

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf says budget can hit goals without major tax increase HARRISBURG >> Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is backing off his proposal for an increase on sales or income taxes, and now says his budget priorities can be met without it... - AP

Guest Editorial: Waiting for state budget signals Just two weeks remain in the state’s fiscal year, and with the memory of the FY 2015-2016 state budget impasse still fresh in everyone’s minds, counties are anxiously keeping an eye on Harrisburg. A timely budget, and one that begins to restore funding for key county human... - Carlisle Sentinel

Wolf abandons call for hike in sales or income taxes HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf said Tuesday he will no longer seek a hike in the state's personal income or sales tax to fund the state budget. In an interview on a Pittsburgh radio station barely a week before the July 1 budget deadline, the governor said he believes he can achieve his... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. House returns to session facing fiscal-year deadline HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives returned to session Monday as the fiscal- year deadline ticked down and a vote on the state’s largest expansion of gambling in a decade loomed while lawmakers scrounged for money to prop up spending... - AP

Guest Column: Time to get serious about reducing spending in Pa. By Elizabeth Steele, Times Guest Columnist What do waking up, driving to work, and stopping at Starbucks have in common? Each of these seemingly mundane activities is impacted by state taxes. Think about it: You likely wake up in your home, provided you pay your annual property tax bill. Your car’s gas is taxed at the highest... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Cumberland Valley nonprofits still recovering from stalemate A new survey says nonprofit organizations that carry out social services in Pennsylvania still owe interest from loans taken out during the protracted state government budget stalemate. The survey of 176 nonprofits also found that the organizations haven’t filled or restored about half of the 380 full- time positions that were... - Carlisle Sentinel

June 20 Today's Editorial: Allocating some optimism We’re keeping a positive outlook here. We are optimistic. After all, there are still 13 days for state lawmakers to deliver their 2016-2017 budget to Gov. Tom Wolf and 14 days until July 1, the start of Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year. “I’m sure we’ll have something on the governor’s desk in... - Sunbury Daily Item

SEN. MIKE FOLMER: Pa. residents already pay enough in taxes Consider the many federal, state, county and municipal taxes and fees we pay, which include taxes on amusements, capital gains, cigarettes, corporations, earned income, services, estates, gas, liquor, sales, per capita, personal income, personal property, property realty transfers,... - Pottstown Mercury

Maybe Mike Turzai is the one who needs a reality check: PennLive letters House Speaker Mike Turzai needs to venture outside of his Harrisburg surroundings and talk with taxpayers who are paying the price for the same old political games that he is intent on repeating this summer ("As budget deadline nears, Gov. Wolf needs a fiscal reality check," June 16,).... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The Rundown: State budget crunch looms Harrisburg, PA The pieces of a possible state budget deal are beginning to come to the fore as Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders eye a looming deadline to reach an on- time budget agreement for 2016-17. Discussion of the spending plan itself has been limited as officials head... - Reading Eagle

As budget deadline looms again, optimism remains for quick compromise Less than two weeks before the budget deadline, cautious optimism is the mood in Pennsylvania's state Capitol. That's because lawmawkers want to put behind a year of historic political stalemate, of finger-pointing and diminishing bank accounts for schools and... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Early start could spark budget deal For politicians, early-childhood education is a case of narrow window and a far horizon. In Pennsylvania, state legislators are too focused on that horizon. Abundant research on education and brain development shows that there is a relatively narrow window, between ages 3 and 5, in which to best establish... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

June 19 High quality childcare and preschool need to be budget priorities: PennLive letters In a recent discussion with PennLive's Editorial Board about the need for stronger state investments in high-quality pre-k programs, I was asked why Pennsylvania needs to fund both child care subsidy and high-quality pre-k. In my response, I stressed that both need to be better funded to meet the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Time to change Harrisburg’s tax-and-spend status quo This budget season, taxpayers are anxious to see if Harrisburg will finally end its all-too-common practice of tax-and-spend, status quo governing. I, like many of the people I represent, would like to see a different approach this time around. I believe Pennsylvanians should not be asked to... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Final budget stretch starts with major issues unresolved HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature are heading into the final stretch to approve an on-time budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year that begins July 1... - AP

Pension reform still a pipe dream in Harrisburg | Editorial Two weeks ago the buzzword in Harrisburg was "modernization," as legislators and Gov. Tom Wolf looked to deconstruct the state's liquor monopoly. Instead of dismantling it in favor of privatization, both sides settled for a watered-down solution — allowing some restaurants and... - Easton Express- Times

Democrats take leap of faith into budget talks with GOP HARRISBURG, Pa. It's the big head-scratcher in the Pennsylvania Capitol... - AP

High quality childcare and preschool need to be budget priorities: PennLive letters In a recent discussion with PennLive's Editorial Board about the need for stronger state investments in high-quality pre-k programs, I was asked why Pennsylvania needs to fund both child care subsidy and high-quality pre-k. In my response, I stressed that both need to be better funded to meet the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Another Pa. state budget debate? Why that may not be cause for weeping yet It's state budget time in Harrisburg. Remember that? Don't despair. The talks are actually going lots better this year, so we're told from a group of nervous sources who – party because they aren't authorized to speak publicly about the ongoing negotiations, and partly because they're... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget hangs on betting, smoking HARRISBURG — House lawmakers have taken the lead in recent weeks in putting up bipartisan votes to address the big issues that proved so difficult to resolve when a grand state budget deal crashed last December. The House voted 136-59 last week to approve a bill to reduce pension... - Scranton Times

June 17 Today's Editorial: Allocating some optimism We’re keeping a positive outlook here. We are optimistic. After all, there are still 13 days for state lawmakers to deliver their 2016-2017 budget to Gov. Tom Wolf and 14 days until July 1, the start of Pennsylvania’s new fiscal year. “I’m sure we’ll have something on the governor’s desk in... - Sunbury Daily Item

Letter to the editor | Budget suggestions for gov't leaders The following are some random thoughts and ideas regarding budget and taxes at the federal, state and local levels: All levels • Require a balanced budget amendment. This is an essential starting point. It’s time that we stop adding to the governmental debt and... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

June 16 Seniors shortchanged in Pa. budget Every year the media do stories about the latest government ratings of nursing facilities. But ratings don't tell the whole story. If government wants to give an accurate grade, officials should start looking at how they've funded Medicaid over the past decade because we're approaching a... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

As budget deadline nears, Gov. Wolf needs a fiscal reality check: Mike Turzai By Mike Turzai This year's budget requires common sense and an understanding that we remain the stewards of other peoples' money – the hard earned tax dollars of citizens. turzai.jpgHouse Speaker Mike Turzai, R-AlleghenyFile Gov. Tom Wolf will have his budget goals, as will members of the House and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

June 15 It’s time for elected officials to get to work Editor: Is the budget impasse that hamstrings our public school systems today the way that our “small government” Republican friends think they can finally end public education? They have said many times that they would like to change it into a “for profit” system that would require... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Could pension reform vote help pave the way to Pa. budget deal? HARRISBURG - Last week, it was the state's infamously restrictive alcohol laws that got an unexpected revision. This week, it was pension reform's turn. On Tuesday, the House easily passed a bill that would change the retirement benefits for future state and school workers. Gov. Wolf said the measure... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. labor secretary calls for pre-K funding boost WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Kathy Manderino says more funding is needed to support early childhood education. Manderino said expanded early childhood education can ensure people gain needed job skills for the 21st century.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

House approves pension bill on bipartisan vote HARRISBURG — House lawmakers approved legislation Tuesday to reduce pension benefits for future state government and school district employees on a bipartisan vote — another sign of compromise at the Capitol with the state budget deadline looming at month’s end.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

June 14 Tread water,progress is high, dry Given the inability of the state Legislature to reach a consensus on the state assuming a larger and fairer share of education funding, state Sens. Vincent Hughes and John Blake must be counted as optimists in pressing another important element of school funding.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Hoping for a timely budget Less than three weeks remain in the state’s fiscal year, and with the memory of the FY 2015-16 state budget impasse still fresh in everyone’s minds, counties are anxiously keeping an eye on Harrisburg. A timely budget, and one that begins to restore funding for key county human... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

June 13 Corman discusses state budget Pennsylvania leaders ‘knee deep’ in 2016-2017 fiscal negotiations. MEXICO - The tenor in Harrisburg may have changed in the past couple months and the legislature and governor appear to be working toward a new budget. State Sen. Jake Corman R-Bellefonte, held a town hall meeting at Walker... - Lewistown Sentinel

Baer: Pennsylvania's forest of education money trees LET'S TAKE A WALK on the twisted trail of Pennsylvania school finance. This, for me, is an annual stroll to note how green our education system is - and question constant cries of crisis and calls for higher taxes. The subject is public-school reserve funds held by 96 percent of our 500... - Philadelphia Daily News

Nonprofit agencies worry about another state budget impasse The nine-month budget impasse in Harrisburg for the 2015-2016 budget didn’t force the Women’s Center of Montgomery County to cut back on the number of people served. “We actually served more people this year than we did in the past,” Maria Macaluso, the organization’s executive director, said.... - Pottstown Mercury

Is compromise in air as new budget deadline looms? The monthslong state budget impasse that lasted into this year had a devastating effect on the York City-based Community Progress Council. As the much-needed state funding — not to mention federal dollars funneled through Harrisburg — dried up, the council was forced to close... - York Dispatch June 12 Our Opinion: Don’t allow repeat of state budget fight; our counties can’t afford to be collateral damage A message to state lawmakers and the governor: not again. Don’t you dare repeat a prolonged budget standoff like the one that began last summer and stretched for nearly nine months, crippling certain social service programs and causing headaches for leaders of counties,... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Letter to the Editor: Stop squeezing life out of Pennsylvania’s public school districts Is the budget impasse that hamstrings our public school systems today the way that our “small government” Republican friends think they can finally end public education? They have said, many times, that they would like to change it into a “for-profit” system that would require tuition from every student.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Raising tobacco tax is good health and fiscal policy With the commonwealth currently experiencing a structural deficit of $1.8 billion, we need to focus on raising revenue for the 2016-17 budget. We cannot keep making cuts to expenditures, as these cuts have been hitting education and human services resources strongly.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

School alarms: En masse, districts must raise revenue (i.e., taxes) Hundreds of financially challenged school districts are planning tax increases and staff cuts next school year, according to a survey by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials. The results should prod lawmakers... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

June 10 Editorial: There's reason for optimism as state budget deadline nears As the June 30 deadline for approving a state budget for 2016-17 approaches, we can see some reasons for cautious optimism that Pennsylvanians will not have to endure another stalemate over government funding. For starters, the official word from the governor's office as well as House... - Reading Eagle

June 8 Lawmakers discuss budget process and deadline The Pennsylvania budget is due June 30. Last year, it was a historic nine months late. “I can’t sit here with a straight face and say we’re gonna get this done on time because I don’t even know if there is an on time anymore,” said Rep. Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery.... - Carlisle Sentinel

Erie students, teachers rally for funding HARRISBURG -- One by one, the legislators took the microphone to talk about the need for equitable funding for school districts. But it was a tiny second-grader from Perry Elementary School whose comments drew some of the loudest applause at an Erie School District rally in the... - Erie Times- News

Nonprofits worry about possible state budget impasse repeat MONTGOMERY COUNTY >> The nine-month budget impasse in Harrisburg for the 2015-2016 budget didn’t force the Women’s Center of Montgomery County to cut back on the number of people served. “We actually served more people this year than we did in the past,” Maria Macaluso, the organization’s executive director, said.... - Lansdale Reporter

Editorial: Is Pa. planning another roll of the dice? What do you think the odds are that Pennsylvania will have a budget in place in a few weeks when the clock strikes midnight on June 30? Yes, we realize the ink is barely dry on the last budget, you know, the one nine months in the making. It was the one that so disgusted new Gov. Tom... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Pa. liquor reforms: Done. Are state pension changes next for divided government's to-do list? Is this Pennsylvania's "But wait; there's more!" moment? On Tuesday, the state House of Representatives sent Gov. Tom Wolf a liquor reform bill that, for the first time since Prohibition, would let adults buy a bottle of wine to go from grocery stores and restaurants.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Taxes headed up The debate over who will take the presidential oath in January as the nation's 45th president may be grabbing most of the headlines, but Pennsylvania residents have plenty more to be concerned about right here at home. Regardless of whether it's President Clinton or President Trump in... - Levittown Intelligencer

Here we go again: state budget deadline looms It has become a tired cliche, insanity being defined as doing the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result. And they’re doing it again in Harrisburg just three weeks before the deadline to adopt a state budget for fiscal year 2016-17, which begins July... - Butler Eagle

Lawmakers say another budget stalemate is unlikely The deadline to pass a state budget in Harrisburg is looming at the end of the month and local legislators are optimistic about the chances of avoiding another prolonged impasse. "I do feel more positive," said State Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-63rd). "I think the general feel in the room is that it won't be a repeat of last... - Oil City Derrick

Gov. Wolf is trying to have it both ways on school funding: Dennis Roddy By Dennis Roddy Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf all but dislocated his shoulder while patting himself on the back after signing a fair funding formula for the state's public schools, only months after he had to be forced to honor that same formula. DENNIS RODDY HEADSHOT ART.jpegDennis Roddy (PennLive file)... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Is the Pa. House booze vote a good #PaBudget season omen?: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. A funny thing happened on the way to Tuesday's state House vote imposing sweeping reforms on Pennsylvania's Prohibition-Era system for selling wine and spirits. A heavily divided General Assembly managed to find widespread bipartisan... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

June 7 Disability advocates, service providers rally for more funding As the General Assembly looks to balance the 2016-17 budget this month, hundreds of disability advocates rallied at the Capitol on Monday to ask for more help in the coming year. Members of the Pa. House Autism and Intellectual Disability Caucus hosted the 2016 Disability Funding Rally in partnership with 12 non-profit... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Report: Pennsylvania school districts still in a budget crunch Mandated cost increases and unpaid state school construction reimbursements are forcing school districts throughout Pennsylvania to cut programs, reduce staff and increase local property taxes, according to a statewide survey. The Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials and the... - Somerset Daily

Guest Column: We still need more money for public schools By Gov. Tom Wolf, Times Guest Columnist Last week, I signed a fair funding formula into law, making Pennsylvania’s system of school funding fairer and more equitable. Prior to the signing of this bill, Pennsylvania was one of only three states in the nation without a fair funding formula. The fair funding... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Schools survey shows budget woes HARRISBURG — Public school officials warned Monday of a double punch of program cuts and property tax hikes across Pennsylvania as lawmakers returned to wrestle with state budget challenges. Eighty- five percent of school districts plan to increase property taxes for... - Scranton Times

Layoffs, tax hikes loom, Pa. schools say HARRISBURG - As the state prepares for what could be another tumultuous budget season, at least 60 percent of Pennsylvania school districts plan to raise property taxes and nearly a third expect to cut staff, according to a survey of districts across the commonwealth.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Governor Wolf won't predict whether state will avoid another budget fiasco HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers returned to work Monday in Harrisburg with weeks left to avert a repeat of last year's budget fiasco, a process that was not resolved until Gov. Tom Wolf let budget legislation become law without his signature in March and April... - AP

A June 30 budget? Gov. Wolf isn't saying: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. With little more than three weeks to go before the deadline to pass a new state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf isn't saying whether Pennsylvania will have an on-time spending plan. On Monday, Wolf said administration budget negotiators are "trying to get... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Impasse unlikely as Pennsylvania budget deadline looms The clock's ticking. State lawmakers and Gov. Tom Wolf have just a month left to show whether they'll follow up last year's record-setting stalemate with a punctual budget agreement or another impasse. The good news for groups hoping to see a new spending plan in place by the... - Reading Eagle

June 6 Gov. Tom Wolf: New formula for school funding a good start, but more investment in education needed Gov. Tom Wolf - Guest columnist Last week, I signed a fair-funding formula into law, making Pennsylvania’s system of school funding fairer and more equitable. Prior to the signing of this bill, Pennsylvania was one of only three states without a fair-funding formula.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

State legislative appropriations members don't expect a budget impasse sequel Everyone loves a good sequel except when it comes to reprising the protracted state budget impasse that roiled Pennsylvania school districts and social service agencies for nine painful months. “I feel pretty confident that we’re going to have a budget on (Gov.... - Ellwood City Ledger

Many eyes on Harrisburg since state budget is due this month My eyes will be watching the action in Harrisburg in June as the deadline to adopt a 2016-17 budget approaches at the end of this month. As you may remember, the 2015-16 budget was never signed by the governor after he had rejected several previous budgets that had been passed by the... - Meadville Tribune

It’s back! Deadline looms for new state budget HARRISBURG — In the Capitol, the word hope is heard often these days. Hope that this year’s budget talks will be less divisive. Hope that an impasse like the one that made history during Gov. Tom Wolf’s first year can be avoided. Even hope that a budget can be signed by the July 1 deadline.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Baer: Speaker Turzai's reason to play nice SO HERE'S A fun little state budget angle. GOP House Speaker Mike Turzai, he of (shall we say) unsettled temperament, and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, a known creature of calm, could be poised for a new sort of cat and mouse game. Normally, they don't play nice. Now there's an X-factor.... - Philadelphia Daily News

Editorial: Get ready for Act II of Pa.’s budget follies Stop us if you’ve heard this before. The ink is barely dry on the state’s current budget – you know, the one that arrived nine months late courtesy of a standoff between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans in the Legislature – as the two sides gird this week for Round Two in this Keystone Komedy.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Hope, skepticism on smoother Pa. budget talks this year HARRISBURG - In the Capitol, the word hope is heard often these days. Hope that this year's budget talks will be less divisive. Hope that an impasse like the one that made history during Gov. Wolf's first year can be avoided. Even hope that a budget can be signed by the July 1 deadline.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Ron Southwick: State budget process can't again stretch into fall Pennsylvania can't afford another monthslong stalemate on the state budget like we witnessed last year. There's a little more than three weeks before July 1, the start of the state government's 2016-17 fiscal year. I doubt the budget will actually be done by July 1.... - Reading Eagle

June 5 The real-life impact of the budget impasse It was embarrassing enough Pennsylvania went for nine months without a state budget, but we can take comfort – there’s always Illinois. Lawmakers in the Land of Lincoln still haven’t been able to come to terms on a budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year, 12 months after they were... - Washington Observer-Reporter

State budget impasse’s toll on nonprofits tallied HARRISBURG — A timely reminder of the toll state budget stalemates have on human lives arrives with a survey showing how six months without state aid impacted social service nonprofits and the individuals they serve. It’s not a pretty picture. The key findings show:... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Schools face tough choices, worry over upcoming state budget debate HARRISBURG — Local school leaders face tough choices as they prepare their budgets and nervously await what the next state budget debate will deliver. Education program cuts, job layoffs and property tax hikes are under consideration to balance 2016-17 budgets in many districts across the... - Scranton Times

Budget time: A pictorial guide to Pennsylvania's last great, pre-election policy-making season Understand it's early and literally nothing has been agreed to yet. But early reports from a variety of sources working different aspects of the budget discussions suggest that the tone and tenor of this year's talks are markedly different from last year, and in a good way.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Inquirer editorial: Pa. can't close deficit without new revenue With only 25 days left before the constitutionally mandated deadline for a new state budget passes, talk in Harrisburg suggests there won't be a repeat of the partisan impasse that blocked a spending plan for the current fiscal year for nine months. But to quote an old saying: Talk is cheap.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Erie, other school districts warned about budget failures ERIE, Pa. -- The Erie School Board is weighing its options in response to a letter from the state Department of Education outlining potential penalties for school districts that fail to pass balanced budgets by the June 30 deadline. The letter was sent to all school districts in the state last week, said... - Erie Times-News

June 3 Wolf: $34M request for opioid crisisis ‘a start’ Gov. Tom Wolf’s $34 million budget request to address Pennsylvania’s opioid abuse crisis is “a start” as the state begins to understand the scope and need of a statewide epidemic, he told reporters Thursday. Speaking briefly to reporters at the Center for Substance Abuse Research at... - Wilkes- Barre Citizens' Voice

Gov. Wolf signs fair funding formula HB1552 only sat on Gov. Tom Wolf's desk for about a week before he signed it into law Thursday. The law will establish a fair funding formula. Until the law, there was no effective formula for distributing funds. Instead, the state has operated on a "hold-harmless" policy, which was put... - York Dispatch

June 2 Wolf Administration pushes for more funding to combat heroin and opioid epidemic Some $630 million a year in Medicaid funding goes toward combating the heroin and opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania but the results don't show it making much of a difference, said Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas. Four out of every five Medicaid recipients with substance abuse addictions... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Sen. Jake Corman looks ahead in wake of budget crisis With a knock-down, drag-out budget fight barely in his rear view mirror, Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Benner Township, is looking at the next goal, and the next budget. Corman spent 2015, and the first chunk of 2016, locked in a battle with... - State College Centre Daily Times

June 1 Follow school formula with actual funding - Despite a bruising nine-month impasse over the current state budget that centered largely on education funding, the legislature has adopted a funding formula for education. The formula is about distribution rather than funding levels. But a study by the Public Interest Law Center, based on the formula, calls for... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Survey says Pa. budget fight inflicted damage on social services A new survey says nonprofit organizations that carry out social services in Pennsylvania still owe interest from loans taken out during a protracted state government budget stalemate... - AP

Hit by budget impasse, non-profits owe $532k in interest, report: Wednesday Morning Coffee Good Wednesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. With many of them already scrambling to make ends meet, Pennsylvania's cash-strapped nonprofits will have to cough up $532,000 in in non- reimbursable interest payments for loans they took out to get through the 2015-16 state budget impasse.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget: June gloom or brand new brightness? NOT TO PEDDLE progress or optimism in a state familiar with neither, but there are flickers of hope in usually hopeless Harrisburg that could be suggestive of positive change. For one thing, partisan waves of name-calling have ebbed - mostly. And recently, the legislature, even Gov. "No Budget" Wolf, did stuff that... - Philadelphia Daily News

May 31 Expanded gaming on the table for budget talks If proponents of expanded gambling have their way, Pennsylvania may fill part of its looming budget gap with income from round-the-clock cocktails in casinos, slots machines in airports, and wagers made legally on phones and laptops. The House last week toyed with measures that would have legalized online... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Survey: Pennsylvania budget impasse cost nonprofits at least $532,000 in interest Between a loan, tapping a line of credit, freezing salaries for employees and cutting extras such as a holiday party, Every Child Inc., an Uptown agency that places at-risk children in foster care, was able to make it through the state’s months long budget impasse.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 30 New liquor reform fight brewing between Wolf, Republicans Here’s something to think about as you gas up for that Memorial Day weekend road trip: Another blue law appears destined to get run over. A day after Gov. Tom Wolf urged the state Liquor Control Board to “free the six-pack,” its members on Wednesday signed off on nine applications... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Pa. can't balance budget on gamblers' losses | Editorial In these turbulent times, one thing seems certain — Pennsylvania isn't going to balance its budget by legalizing and taxing online betting. Or fantasy sports leagues. Or video poker in bars and clubs. Or — please spare us — slot machines in airports. Nonetheless, the state House took a stab at legalizing those options last... - Easton Express-Times

Expanded gambling a panacea for Pennsylvania's budget problems? If proponents of expanded gambling have their way, Pennsylvania may fill part of its looming budget gap with income from around-the-clock cocktails in casinos, slots machines in airports and wagers made legally on phones and laptops. The House this week toyed with measures that would have legalized online... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State deficit concerns lawmaker No sooner is one budget battle over than another one begins, and the number one topic is the deficit. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Gambling bills not sure things As House lawmakers voted down proposals for a massive expansion of legalized gambling last week, they were met with an unsettling reminder of their recent previous attempt to plug a state revenue gap with new gambling revenue. The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee reported recently that tavern... - Scranton Times

May 27 Doing something right We editorialize often about the ineptitude of our state government officials, and for good reason. Miss the budget deadline by nine months? Check. Fail to adequately address the pension crisis? Check. Refuse to release Pennsylvanians from the grip of the Soviet-style state store system? Check.... - Washington Observer-Reporter

DN Editorial: Mediator would help bridge the chasm in Harrisburg SOMETHING must be done to cut the tangled mess of knots that has paralyzed state government over spending and taxation. Everyone knows how bad it has been, with Gov. Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature entangled in ceaseless rounds of proposals and counterproposals. It stymied passage of a state budget last... - Philadelphia Daily News

Legislature to double down on gambling expansion Ladies and gentlemen, place your bets and start your lobbyists! After the Memorial Day holiday, the state House will try again on passing a bill to drastically expand gambling options in Pennsylvania. The House on Tuesday rejected two gambling amendments. Both amendments... - Allentown Morning Call

Cambria pays off loan incurred during state budget fight Cambria County has paid off an $11.6 million loan taken out in November during the state budget impasse. County controller Ed Cernic Jr. said Thursday the new board of commissioners have "stopped the financial bleeding" since taking office. By paying off this loan, the county will now be able to focus on addressing... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

May 26 Pa. lawmakers hope to avoid another budget impasse Local legislators are optimistic a state budget impasse can be avoided this year. State Rep. Flo Fabrizio, of Erie, D-2nd Dist., said negotiations are underway between Gov. Tom Wolf's administration and Democratic and Republican leaders in the General Assembly.... - Erie Times- News

Governor Wolf To Sign Bill Creating New School Funding Formula — A spokesman says Governor Tom Wolf will sign a bill implementing a new funding formula for Pennsylvania schools. The formula contained in a bill approved by the state House and sent to the governor Wednesday was the product of a bipartisan commission that a year... - KYW News Radio 1060

May 23 John Finnerty: Lawmakers trade jabs on budget as Democratic convention looms Organizations that count on the state to help pay their bills have been warning that a budget impasse “part deux” would be the typical sequel: far worse than the first. So, buckle up for an ugly production. People on all sides suggest that despite the storm clouds hinting at... - New Castle News

Layoff issue now linked to budget HARRISBURG — The shape of state budget fights to come can be seen in the political battle over the teacher furlough bill that was vetoed last week by Gov. Tom Wolf. This measure would change the rules for determining how school districts carry out teacher layoffs. It would allow school officials to base layoffs... - Scranton Times

Baer: Oh, those Pennsylvania taxes! THINK Pennsylvania taxes should be fairer, more sensible? Think every sector of the economy should be taxed equally? Think our CNI (corporate net income) tax rate, the nation's second highest, has anything to do with a job-growth ranking of 41st among states?... - Philadelphia Daily News

May 22 Pa. lawmakers hope to avoid another budget impasse Pa. lawmakers hope to avoid another budget impasse - Erie Times-News

Go all in on pension reform The Democratic Wolf administration and Republican legislative majorities have just begun the battle over the 2016-2017 state government budget. But one thing already is certain — both sides’ failure to reform the pension systems for state and public school employees means that taxpayers... - Scranton Times

May 20 Teplitz introduces bills to thwart next budget stalemate HARRISBURG – First-time governors give their budget addresses in March, all the rest deliver them in February. Then, there’s typically a couple of weeks of appropriations hearings followed by months of budget-related silence. State Sen. Rob Teplitz, D-Dauphin/Perry, wants to change the entire... - Carlisle Sentinel

Guest Column: Wolf keeps spending, not addressing cost spikes To the Times: Over the past year and a half, Pennsylvania’s fiscal landscape has been marred by protracted budget battles, repeated credit downgrades and the threat of multi-billion dollar tax increases. Unfortunately, in his 2016-17 budget address Gov. Tom Wolf continued his calls for many of the same... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

New budget debate looms over same misplaced priorities May 20, 2016 Based on the nine-month budget stalemate just past, something has to change to make the upcoming 2016-17 state budget odyssey a smoother ride. Starting with the numbers. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

On too many issues, state doesn’t lead May 20, 2016 There are fewer than 50 days remaining until the start of Pennsylvania’s 2016-17 fiscal year on July 1, and there's no word on whether a state budget agreement is possible by that date. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

May 19 ‘Judgment Day’ proposed in Harrisburg if state budget late HARRISBURG, Pa. -- If another state budget impasse is on its way, prepare for a political apocalypse in Harrisburg. State Sen. Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin, Perry) is proposing a series of bills designed to prevent another lengthy budget deadlock. He's referring to it... - FOX 43

Should lawmakers, governor face 'Judgment Day' if state budget is 6 months late? poll Legislation is in the works that would subject the governor, lieutenant governor, and state lawmakers to a recall election if another state budget impasse occurs that lasts as long as this year's. Sen. Rob Teplitz, D-Dauphin County, said on Wednesday at a Capitol news... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Mount honest deficit effort Republican majorities in the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf don’t agree on much. But just about everyone agrees that the state government has a systemic deficit of between $1.6 billion and $2 billion. That deficit, unlike the state government’s credit rating, survived the... - Scranton Times

May 18 GOP vows to carry teacher layoff bill into Pa. budget battle HARRISBURG — If Gov. Tom Wolf wants more money for public education in the upcoming budget, he should think twice before vetoing a Republican-backed bill that would let schools set aside seniority when laying off teachers, a top GOP senator warned Tuesday. “I can tell you this ... the governor is going to want more dollars for... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gibbons bill provides funding for schools, social services during budget impasse State Rep. Jaret Gibbons has introduced a bill that calls for school districts and social service agencies to receive funding if the Legislature does not pass a budget by its annual July 1 deadline, but it does not go as far as a Senate one that also affects some legislative perks.... - Beaver County Times

May 17 As Pennsylvania Legislature resumes session, budget decisions loom HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania lawmakers still fatigued from a record budget standoff with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf may not get much of a break from the partisan battles as the start of the new fiscal year approaches... - AP

State budget outlook grim Once again, it appears that we will not have a state budget approved on time. The Republicans say, “No tax increase,” while Gov. Tom Wolf says, “The Legislature better not submit a budget like last year’s.” Already, the stars are aligned for a long, long battle without an approved... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

May 10 Status quo May 10, 2016 Although it is long overdue, Pennsylvania now has a state budget with a related Fiscal Code in place for the 2015-16 fiscal year, but neither of them has the blessing of Governor Wolf who left them... more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

The 2015-16 budget fight was an electoral dud: Lowman S. Henry By Lowman S. Henry The final pieces of legislation ending Pennsylvania's longest budget stalemate fell into place just days before the April primary election. LOWMAN HENRY HEADSHOT ART.jpgLowman S. Henry (PennLive file) And the story that dominated state news for over nine months had no... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Budget time is here again Seems like only yesterday that Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature were either trading daily barbs or ignoring each other while school districts and social service providers sweated out the absence of a state budget and the funding it provides.... - Levittown Intelligencer

May 9 Hey, ready for another state budget battle? LET'S ALL WISH our (cough) great state leaders luck. They're gonna need it. 20160509_dn_g2baer06c Turzai For the Wolf administration and Republican bigwigs are starting to talk about a new state budget that's due at the end of next month. That's right. Here we go again.... - Philadelphia Daily News

The state of the state Given the state budget fiasco of 2015, what can we expect from the Gov. Wolf Administration for the year 2016? The budget stalemate of 2015 was yet another worry for our businesses and residents. The governor, for his education, background and technical expertise, was unable to demonstrate... - Somerset Daily

Epic budget battle had no impact on primary election By Lowman S. Henry The final pieces of legislation ending Pennsylvania's longest budget stalemate fell into place just days before the April primary election. And the story that dominated state news for over nine months had no apparent impact on voters who meted out no electoral punishment for the fiscal fray... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

May 8 A new severance tax: Drilled by Gov. Wolf Among the many casualties of Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed 2016-17 budget would be the state's struggling natural gas industry, which would get smacked with the highest severance tax rate in the nation. Based on an analysis by Pennsylvania's Independent Fiscal Office, the... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Amid inequity, school funding may be budget flashpoint again Pennsylvania's school funding could once again become a contentious point in fledgling state budget talks after a fight over how school funding helped drive this past year's historic budget stalemate... - AP

State's next budget deadline nearing fast Because the state budget for fiscal 2105-16 wasn’t completed until two weeks ago, there is a reluctance to think deeply about the budget for fiscal 2016-17, which faces a June 30 passage deadline. That’s less than two months away. Yet April is one of the largest state tax revenue collection months,... - Scranton Times

Cough it up: The state budget mess and private-sector projects The months-long partisan stalemate over a state budget forced senior centers to close, required social service agencies to scale back and pushed some school districts to the brink of insolvency. Turns out it also inconvenienced developers banking on public money.... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

May 4 GOP wants relief for schools if budget stalemate strikes again HARRISBURG — In a sign of pessimism heading into budget season, Republicans are pushing for relief valves that will automatically release school funding even if no deal is struck by the end of June. Democrats say those triggers will diminish the pressure to finish a budget... - Sunbury Daily Item

Lawmakers: Schools should receive state funds in case of budget stalemate If two Lancaster County lawmakers have their way, Pennsylvania schools will not suffer in the event of another budget deadlock in Harrisburg. In 2015, when the state budget battle was just starting, a pair of Lancaster County lawmakers saw the writing on the wall and penned... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Maintaining the status quo Although it is long overdue, Pennsylvania now has a state budget with a related fiscal code in place for the 2015-16 fiscal year, but neither of them has the blessing of Gov. Wolf who left them go into effect without his signature. Initially, he vetoed both of them.... - Sunbury Daily Item

May 3 Pennsylvania has underfunded schools, U.S. education official says BOSTON -- Pennsylvania isn’t pulling its weight when it comes to funding education, U.S. Secretary of Education John King said Monday. When asked about special education being an “unfunded federal mandate” by a Philadelphia-based reporter during the 2016 Education... - Beaver County Times

Budget season starts in the Pennsylvania state Capitol HARRISBURG — The voices of schoolchildren on tour echoed through the Capitol. The cadence of lawmakers passing budget and education bills rose in committee rooms. The calls of advocates seeking more classroom money played in the Rotunda. Those noises could mean only one thing: Monday was the public start of... - Allentown Morning Call

Bill would fund schools through another budget impasse HARRISBURG - The next state budget is not due for two months, but after last year's gridlock, legislators on Monday took a step toward preventing a repeat of the stalemate that kept school funding bottled up for months. Returning after a two-week recess, members of the House Education Committee... - Philadelphia Inquirer

COLUMN: Looming budget battle may be worse than the last As bad as the budget situation has been, there have always been a few states in worse shape. Maybe not for long, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale warned last week. If Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers can't get together to bridge the gap between the state's collections and the money it spends, DePasqaule said the... - Meadville Tribune

Pennsylvania legislators move to prevent repeat of budget gridlock HARRISBURG — The state budget isn’t due for two months, but after last year’s gridlock, legislators on Monday took a step toward preventing a repeat of the stalemate that kept school funding bottled up for months. Returning after a two-week recess, members of the House Education Committee... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

May 2 Pennsylvania Women Work still waiting for funds delayed by state budget impasse Pennsylvania Women Work expected to use $500,000 in state funds this year for career training for women who have been out of the workforce for years and who need job counseling and hands-on computer training. With the money locked up in the prolonged state budget impasse, the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

John Finnerty | Next budget battle may be worse than the last, says auditor general HARRISBURG – As bad as the budget situation has been, there have always been a few states in worse shape. Maybe not for long, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale warned this week. If Gov. Tom Wolf and lawmakers can’t get together to bridge the gap between the state’s collections and the money it spends, DePasqaule... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

PA Auditor General Warns Another Budget Impasse Will Be Costly HARRISBURG (CBS) — Pennsylvania’s auditor general is warning that another state budget impasse like the one that played out over the last year could have even greater consequences. Auditor General Eugene DePasquale says for one thing, another budget stalemate could make things even tougher for school districts.... - KYW News Radio 1060

May 1 House returns to session on Monday to get ball rolling on budget and more The House returns to session on Monday to kick off the start of the 2016-17 budget-making process by positioning legislation that will serve as placeholders until a final budget is ready to be voted. While that is nothing more than a procedural move, it is nonetheless... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Late budget funnels more to financing authority The last round of a long fight over the state budget has ended with a little-known state agency getting another piece of the action. The fiscal code bill that became law last week without Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature provides $12 million to support a newly created Natural Gas... - Scranton Times

April 29 As the budget deadline beckons, remember investing in education is a good thing: Stephen Herzernberg By Stephen Herzenberg The best way for Pennsylvania to grow its economy and expand opportunity for individuals is to invest in a well-educated workforce. Most Pennsylvanians get this and support investing in education. Stephen-Herzenberg-Headshot-2013.jpegStephen Herzenberg... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 28 Victory for the taxpayer If there is a silver lining in the 2015-16 budget debate, it is the "unveiling" of details in the budget process that have always existed but rarely put on public display. Most of you should now be aware that finalizing a state budget is not as simple as passing one bill. Many moving... - Gettysburg Times

It's time for a blue-ribbon commission to fix Pa's budget mess: George Wolff By George Wolff Although hard to imagine in today's climate of fiscal austerity, 20 years ago the commonwealth was rolling in cash. Even though we never used the term, the state was running "structural surpluses" – taxes and other revenue exceeded expenses by hundreds of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Coalition Of Education Groups Call On State Legislature To Pony Up PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A coalition of education groups is calling on the state to increase funding for Pennsylvania’s schools. It’s a call from a two-year-old coalition called the Campaign for Fair Education Funding. They’re claiming a partial victory, because the state for the first... - KYW News Radio 1060

April 27 School advocates to state: Add cash to new funding formula Buoyed by the end of the state budget stalemate and the creation of a new earlier this month, Philadelphia education advocates on Wednesday called on the state Legislature to pump $400 million in new money into 2016-17 school budgets. If the request becomes reality, the city school district would get 18.9... - Philadelphia Inquirer

April 26 Pa. House Appropriations leader says 2016-17 budget "may" be concluded without income or sales tax hike The chairman of the state House Appropriations Committee said Monday he believes Pennsylvania's 2016-17 budget can be balanced without an increase in the state's personal income or state sales taxes. But Rep. William Adolph, R-Delaware County, studiously refused to back... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 25 Months of waiting for a budget and here's what we didn't get: PennLive letters Key elements that are missing from the bill that will end the nine month state budget stalemate, to take effect without the governor's signature: Pension reform to stem what will soon be a crippling, multi-billion-dollar annual state obligation if left unchecked. Senate... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 24 Commentary: No-tax pledge may violate Pa. constituton Franklin Kury served in the Pennsylvania House from 1966-1972 and the Senate from 1972-1980, and is the author of "Why Are You Here? A Primer for State Legislators and Citizens" (University Press of America) Candidates for the Pennsylvania General Assembly who win on Nov. 8 will... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Wolf refuses to sign legislation on school funding Gov. Tom Wolf’s office said Friday that he will allow a bill affecting the distribution of K-12 education funds to become law without his signature. The so-called fiscal code legislation provides for an increase in the main K-12 education line to be distributed according to a formula developed by a... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Ten months overdue, 2015-16 budget-related bill to quietly become law A final piece of Pennsylvania state budget-related legislation will become law, nearly 10 months after it was due and about two months before the next fiscal year begins. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday he would allow a companion budget bill that passed the House and Senate with veto-proof majority votes to become... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf lets last budget bill become law without his signature Legislation directing the distribution of $200 million to Pennsylvania's public school districts and authorizing up to $2.5 billion in borrowing for the state share of school construction costs will take effect Monday, the governor's office said... - AP

April 22 Advantages in a 2-year budget cycle Pennsylvania legislators know that the commonwealth doesn’t need all 253 of them. They often go out of their way to prove it by failing to accomplish the only thing that the state constitution requires them to do — adopt a budget on time. Even though the state constitution doesn’t require much of them, the... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

A big day for education in state Capitol (column) Rep. Kristin Phillips-Hill, Guest Columnist The House sent legislation to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk that will require use of a more equitable school funding formula. Article III, Subsection B, Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states, “The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and... - York Daily

Budget season to start The Legislature will begin voting on the 2016-17 fiscal year budget in two weeks, according to a letter sent Wednesday by Bill Adolph, R-Delaware, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Adolph’s letter to the 203-member House says lawmakers have until 2... - Allentown Morning Call

Letters: Restore Pa. funds to poorest schools ISSUE | EDUCATION Restore Pa. funds to poorest schools Last week, the Pennsylvania Senate and House passed HB1589, which would use a new formula to distribute a small increase in basic education funding for this school year. The action came without a restoration of... - Philadelphia Inquirer

April 20 The taxpayers lose when power is abused REP. BRYAN CUTLER Special to LNP In 2014, the people of Pennsylvania made the decision to elect a split government: They gave Republicans the majority in both the state House and Senate while voting for a Democrat for governor. They had the fair and reasonable expectation that, regardless of political... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Two-year budget cycle makes sense Pennsylvania legislators know that the commonwealth doesn’t need all 253 of them. They often go out of their way to prove it by failing to accomplish the only thing that the state constitution requires them to do — adopt a budget on time. Even though the state constitution doesn’t require much of them, the... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Voter takes exceptionto Knowles’ stance To the Editor: This letter is in response to Rep. Jerry Knowles, who “felt compelled to correct misinformation” published in the editorial, “ ’16 budget won’t solve problem,” in The Republican-Herald on April 4 under Your Views titled “Blame governor, not House GOP.”... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

April 19 GOP presses Wolf on education funding priorities State Republican lawmakers Monday morning called for Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf to sign the recently passed fiscal code from both chambers of the Legislature that would boost funding for Delaware County school districts, and hundreds of other school districts in the state.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Much to gain in two-year budget cycle Pennsylvania legislators know that the commonwealth doesn’t need all 253 of them. They often go out of their way to prove it by failing to accomplish the only thing that the state constitution requires them to do — adopt a budget on time. Even though the state constitution doesn’t require much of them, the... - Scranton Times

Everything not fine, but no changes on horizon The current session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has not been a triumph of effective governance. Intransigence by the House Republican majority produced a nine-month budget impasse that hampered government services while driving up their costs. Lawmakers failed, again, to resolve some of the most pressing problems... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

April 18 Baer: Mike Stack: A man with a plan? HERE'S SOMETHING I never thought I'd write. Mike Stack has a good idea. Not that it's new or original. But give him credit, he's publicly pushing it. The Northeast Philly ward leader from an old-school political family, former 14-year state senator and current second-ranking state official as... - Philadelphia Daily News

State’s chief environmental official worries about funding The loss of 671 positions in his agency since 2009 has John Quigley, state Department of Environmental Protection secretary, concerned that the agency is not equipped to fully protect the public health. It's something he fears will get worse as the state continues to struggle... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Should lawmakers get paid when budget is overdue? Some of the same Pennsylvania lawmakers who took part in the state's longest budget impasse in history say they would support legislation suspending their pay until a budget is passed. State Rep. Daniel McNeill, a Democrat from Lehigh County, introduced a bill... - Meadville Tribune

April 17 Wolf's severance tax plan is senseless Gov. Tom Wolf's administration, which seems hellbent on punishing the fossil fuel industry, has made imposing a severance tax on the natural gas industry one of its primary objectives. The Trib reported last year that Wolf modeled his severance tax proposal... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Wolf painted himself into a corner, approaches early lame-duck status Pennsylvania's lone-wolf governor overplayed his hand. Legislative votes on a fiscal code bill last week emerged with veto-proof majorities. It was an ominous sign for Democrat Gov. Tom Wolf. Democrat lawmakers are beginning to see that their unswerving loyalty to... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

April 15 Pennsylvania lawmakers won't support Gov. Tom Wolf's education-funding plan A week after Gov. Tom Wolf announced a plan to hand out hundreds of millions of dollars in Pennsylvania education money, legislators, including some in his own party, passed a bill that would effectively quash his efforts. “If he vetoes it today, I’ll be there tomorrow to do the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Guv, don't forget the fire next time Gov. Tom Wolf is in his second budget season, and he didn’t exactly get through the first one unscathed. The topic of whether that’s a reflection of his leadership or just a result of him being outnumbered in Harrisburg is one I’ve debated lately. Whatever the correct answer, let’s agree that we all hope this... - Philadelphia Tribune

Nonprofits must pay for legislative intransigence Email exchanges among Republican House lawmakers, which were published Sunday by The Philadelphia Inquirer, reveal a strategy to stonewall the Wolf administration’s intent to balance the next state budget, or to agree to balance it only with further service reductions.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Budget secretary comes to region CRESSONA — State Secretary of the Budget Randy Albright said Wednesday that Pennsylvanians must decide what kind of future they want, and that the best choice means they will have to pay more for it. “We are at a crossroads,” Albright told about 40 local business... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

House, Senate-approved fiscal code would bring more money to schools A new fiscal code approved by the state House and Senate on April 13 will provide public schools with more money after Gov. Tom Wolf implemented his own distribution formula that saw over 80 percent of schools getting less. HB1589 is the latest fiscal code to be placed on Wolf’s desk... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

April 14 Try for a veto, sign it or punt? What's Gov. Wolf's next move on fiscal code bill?: Thursday Morning Coffee Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. If we were Gov. Tom Wolf, we suspect we may have woken this morning wondering why we'd ever left the comforts of our family-owned cabinetry business for the shark tank that is the Pennsylvania Capitol. Alternately, we may have cast a longing eye at the First Jeep, cast another... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Legislature sends budget-related bill to Wolf's desk Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf isn't saying yet how he'll handle legislation heading to his desk that Republican lawmakers say is designed to solve issues left over from a protracted budget fight... - AP

Could a two-year budget cycle prevent another impasse in Pennsylvania? In the wake of last year's protracted budget impasse, a bipartisan group of lawmakers are considering the virtues of a two-year budget cycle. "I came to the Senate to solve problems, not create them, and it is our duty to work together to make things better, not worse," said Sen. Ryan... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Local school districts denied funds Local school districts denied funds Herald-Standard | 0 comments Recently, I voted to end the unnecessary 10-month budget impasse caused by Gov. Tom Wolf’s complete veto of the budget back in June. I and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle breathed a sigh of relief as schools... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

House, Senate cast veto-proof majority votes on school funding bill The House and Senate sent a clear message to Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday that his way of distributing $150 million in new basic education funding in the 2015-16 state budget using a formula his administration invented is not going to fly with them. Both chambers cast veto- proof majority votes on Wednesday to pass a fiscal... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The state needs to keep its promise Somerset County schools are short nearly $3 million in promised construction reimbursements and are receiving less basic education funding than expected. - Somerset Daily

Legislators say retribution for vote has ended Some Democratic lawmakers who last week cried a loud and public foul over their treatment by the governor’s office said things are back to normal. Eleven Democratic state representatives, most from Western Pennsylvania, signed a letter dated April 5 accusing Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration... - Washington Observer-Reporter

April 13 Blame governor, not House GOP To the Editor: I feel compelled to correct misinformation published in the editorial, “ ’16 budget won’t solve problem,” in The Republican-Herald on April 4. I’m totally fascinated by what your writer believes to be the facts. The editorial stated, “Until House Republican lawmakers start serving... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Bill would withhold pay, per diems for lawmakers until budget is passed State Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-Lehigh, has introduced a bill that would keep lawmakers from getting paid if the state budget is not completed by June 30 each year. "As state legislators, our primary responsibility is passing a balanced state budget in time, so we can pay bills, fund schools and other services,... - Lehighton Times News

Wolf faulted for fall of funds HARRISBURG — State Sen. John Gordner (R-27) said local schools will receive less funding then expected, the result of the “negative impacts” of Gov. Wolf’s funding formula compared to the Basic Education Funding Formula approved by the General Assembly.Gordner detailed... - Shamokin News-Item

House GOP leader questions Wolf's school funding decisions HARRISBURG, Pa. A top Republican in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives wants the state treasurer to weigh in on Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's plans to distribute state aid to public schools... - AP

Wolf threatens to cut school funding In late March, Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed HB1327, which supports school funding, because he believed some of its measures were too costly. This week, the governor unveiled a new education funding formula which will cut a cumulative total of $2,758,013 from local schools in Berks and... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Bill eliminating schools from becoming budget hostages wins Senate panel approval Legislation that would ensure school districts would not find themselves cut off from state funding in the future was advanced out of the Senate Education Committee on Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Ryan Aument, R-Lancaster County, would create the Emergency Basic Education Subsidy Fund. The state Treasurer would be... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Another budget stalemate looking likely; human service agencies worry HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Every spring they come to the Capitol; the students, and advocates and protesters, and supporters, all with a message for lawmakers and Governor Wolf. Tuesday, they filled the hallways and stairwells and escalators. “Who here is proud to be a social worker?” asked Johanna Byrd in... - WHTM

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — The House recently passed a fiscal code for the 2015- 16 budget year. Gov. Tom Wolf allowed the budget to become law, but vetoed the fiscal code, holding up the final $150 million in education funding, according to state... - Waynesboro Record Herald

April 12 Pa. House Dems who signed letter to Gov. Wolf about retaliation note possible reversal House Democrats who said they were being punished by Gov. Tom Wolf's administration for backing a Republican-crafted state budget said Monday the alleged retaliation may have subsided. Eleven Democrats sent a letter to Wolf, a fellow Democrat, last week that... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Incompetence tax imposed on nonprofits Email exchanges among Republican House lawmakers, which were published Sunday by The Philadelphia Inquirer, reveal a strategy to stonewall the Wolf administration’s intent to balance the next state budget, or to agree to balance it only with further service reductions.... - Scranton Times

PERC is back HARRISBURG — PERC has returned. Gov. Tom Wolf’s chief of staff, Mary Isenhour, and budget secretary, Randy Albright, wrote in a letter today to the chairman of the Public Employee Retirement Commission that because the supplemental budget includes an appropriation for PERC, the agency can resume functioning as it... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

April 11 2016 budget wasn’t success Lawmakers led by House Republicans celebrated as a victory for taxpayers Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to let their 2016 budget become law without his signature.... - Bloomsburg Press Enterprise

Nonprofits bear budget impasse scars HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s human service nonprofits enter the spring months with scars from the recently ended state budget impasse and worries about what the next budget fight will bring. The plight of hundreds of these nonprofits drew public attention during the... - Scranton Times

Wolf budget posture baffling April 10, 2016 Dismay and frustration hung over Pennsylvania’s 500 public school districts for nearly nine full months beyond the 2015-16 state budget-preparation deadline while the Legislature and Gov. more »» - Altoona Mirror

School districts concerned about state construction fund reimbursements Public school districts in Schuylkill County that undertook major construction projects in recent years are frustrated by the governor’s decision to veto a plan to distribute reimbursement funding through its PlanCon program. On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto message was officially sent to the... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

April 10 Budget in hand, Pa. lawmakers turn to hot buttons Early last week, the Republican-led House of Representatives suddenly pivoted and devoted all its efforts to a long-dormant issue: imposing stricter limits on abortion in Pennsylvania. By Thursday, the Democratic governor had taken a step in the other direction, bypassing legislators to impose executive orders that expand... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. budget left out important funding that will impact public schools: John W. Friend The Pennsylvania State budget for 2015-16 is history, or at least, it should be. On Easter Sunday, Gov.Wolf allowed a supplemental, $6.6 billion budget to become law without his signature. But he vetoed a key piece of budget-related legislation known as the "fiscal code," which effectively provided the instructions to spend the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

April 8 Our Opinion: Fallout from Pennsylvania budget battle continues to disrupt school finances; for shame! And thus ends Pennsylvania’s year of the fudge-it budget, not with a decisive denouement, but with the oozing of an open sore. As an article in the Times Leader pointed out Thursday, even when a final state budget crossed the finish line, there was little final about it.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Funding for fairs still delayed in Harrisburg Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's fiscal code veto is continuing to delay fair premium reimbursements and other funding. On March 23 Wolf did not sign or veto a $6 billion spending plan to bridge the gap from the budget he line-item vetoed in December. He did, however,... - Somerset Daily

Is Wolf punishing Democrats over budget battle? Payback, as they say, is ... unpleasant. Doubly so in politics. Thirteen Pennsylvania House Democrats say they’re getting paid back from the Wolf Administration, and it’s not pleasant. The 13, fearing schools would close in their districts, voted with Republicans to finally end the 2015- 16 budget stalemate.... - Carlisle Sentinel

Where is the money? Area school officials say state causing rising financial difficulties The state budget is in place, and education funding is now being doled out to local school districts. And still, area school officials say financial difficulties remain. On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the distribution formula used to allocate basic education funding totalling $50 million for the remainder of... - Bradford Era

Wolf: Retribution claim "fairly ridiculous" HARRISBURG — Asked Thursday about the suggestion by a group of House Democrats that he was exacting ”retribution” over their defections during a budget vote, Gov. Tom Wolf called the claim ”fairly ridiculous.” “They were, I think, concerned about constituent service, which I’m... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Our view: Bring reason, maturity to Pa. budget talks Crawford County state Rep. Brad Roae's misplaced digs against English majors and other ill- advised verbiage are gaining a lot of attention. The Philadelphia Inquirer revealed the long- serving Republican state representative's budget brainstorming via e-mails that -- to be fair -- ... - Erie Times-News

Pat Howard: Roae offers colorful ideas for Pa. budget ERIE, Pa. -- In an interview with this newspaper on Tuesday, Crawford County state Rep. Brad Roae said the Philadelphia Inquirer misrepresented the tone of an e-mail on budget tactics that he sent to Republican colleagues. The Inquirer "heavily edited many of my statements to make them sound... - Erie Times-News

GOP's 'no tax' budget leaves local school districts holding the tab While many lawmakers have been celebrating their fifth consecutive “no new tax” state budget, area school boards have been stunned to learn that this budget cut more than $5.5 million in construction reimbursement payments owed to Franklin County school districts for 2015-2016 through... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

The work to fund education properly and fairly goes on Major work is left to do on the 2015-16 state budget that recently became law. That work involves determining how to allocate basic education funding with the goal of helping to restore devastating cuts by the previous administration and the Legislature and to make school funding more... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

April 7 Dissident House Democrats accuse Wolf Administration of political bullying A group of House Democrats who broke with Gov. Tom Wolf on the state budget impasse last month are now asserting they are being politically bullied by Wolf's office for their fiscal independence. The lawmakers voiced their complaints in a letter to Wolf, and in a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

State budget finished? Not hardly School districts still struggling with budgeting. So the state education budget is all wrapped up and school district finances back in order, right? Well, not so much, area business administrators say. In fact unless something changes, local districts will have to wait until... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Where is the money? Area school officials say state causing rising financial difficulties The state budget is in place, and education funding is now being doled out to local school districts. And still, area school officials say financial difficulties remain. On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the distribution formula used to allocate basic education funding totalling $50 million for the remainder of... - Bradford Era

Pa. Democrats: Governor punishing us for supporting GOP budget Some Democratic lawmakers who broke ranks and voted for a Republican-crafted state budget say Gov. Tom Wolf is punishing them by hampering their ability to solve basic constituent problems. In a letter to the governor Tuesday, 11 lawmakers said that starting about... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Even with funding increase, school leaders remain concerned Northeast Pennsylvania school districts will see an additional $10.1 million in state funding under the budget that became law last month. After nine months without a state budget, payments — especially an increase — are welcome, superintendents said Wednesday. However, the... - Scranton Times

School districts on budget brink while Wolf stalls solutions The prolonged state budget battle has the leaders of Lycoming County's eight public school districts existing in limbo, trying to figure out when their belated state aid will be coming, how much it will be and whether they can keep their operations afloat until then.... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

GOP lawmakers criticized By Megan Healy Deputy Press Secretary for Gov. Wolf A major part of the 2015-16 budget, which became law last week without Gov. Wolf’s signature, is determining how to allocate basic education funding to help to restore the devastating education cuts by the previous... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

April 6 State Rep. Roae defends comments, position on state budget ERIE, Pa. -- State Rep. Brad Roae claims that the tone of an e-mail he sent to other Republican legislators was misrepresented in an article that appeared in Sunday's Philadelphia Inquirer regarding the GOP's ongoing battle with Gov. Tom Wolf over the state budget.... - Erie Times- News

PA fiscal code veto a concern for Mahanoy Area business administrator MAHANOY CITY — Mahanoy Area Business Administrator John J. Hurst provided an update on the passage of the state budget and the governor’s veto of the state’s fiscal code during Thursday’s meeting of the school board. Hurst presented his comments during his administrator’s report, saying... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Tulpehocken School District still in dark about funds from Harrisburg, despite state budget, officials say Business Manager Thomas L. Kowalonek said he planned to give Tulpehocken School District officials an update on the 2016-17 school year budget, but instead found himself frustrated by the lack of information he's received from the state. TODAY'S SPONSOR: "Where we're at now is I still don't know anything about what we're getting... - Reading Eagle

Wolf outlines plans to distribute Pennsylvania school funds HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Democratic governor is disclosing how he'll split up state funding for education after deciding to let the budget take effect without his signature and vetoing a separate bill that included an education aid distribution formula... - AP

The 2015-16 state budget battle isn't over yet; Wolf's school funding distribution has GOP threatening a lawsuit If you think the battle over the 2015-16 state budget is over, think again. Gov. Tom Wolf opened up a new front in that nearly yearlong budget battle by announcing his administration plans to distribute the $200 million in new education funding included in the budget plan that he allowed to become... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GUESSING GAME Local school districts struggle after prolonged budget battle. While word out of Harrisburg is that a state budget for the past two years finally is in place, local school officials are left wondering when they will receive their state allocations. Adding to their frustration, many are not optimistic about next year's... - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

April 5 Final state funding a mystery With Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf allowing a $6.6 billion Republican-backed budget to go into effect without his signature, community groups are relieved that state money will soon resume flowing. The state budget will add $200 million to the existing public school... - Butler Eagle

’16 budget won’t solve problem Lawmakers led by House Republicans celebrated as a victory for taxpayers Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to let their 2016 budget become law without his signature. It is likely to be a Pyrrhic victory, however. The budget contains no tax increase for which lawmakers would be accountable in this legislative... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Leaked emails reveal Roae’s GOP budget strategy A string of emails amongst Pennsylvania House members that was leaked to a Philadelphia newspaper has revealed local state Rep. Brad Roae’s intentions in what is expected to be another major budget battle this summer, following a record-setting impasse that recently ended.... - Titusville Herald

April 4 Wolf’s veto will have local impact April 4, 2016 JOE SCARNATI Brockway Taxpayers should be aware of the negative effects that Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of the state’s fiscal code will have within the region. more »» - Lock Haven Express

The drama continues even as state budget impasse concludes THE ISSUE Gov. Tom Wolf allowed the remaining portion of the state Legislature’s 2015-16 budget to become law March 23, without his signature. The governor vetoed the accompanying fiscal code, because it “contains unconstitutional provisions, guts important environmental regulations and... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Ron Southwick: Expect a sequel in state budget battle Gov. Tom Wolf did the right thing by allowing the final piece of the 2015-16 state budget to become law. It's not that the spending plan solves Pennsylvania's financial issues. The Democratic governor said the Republican-controlled Legislature's budget remains unbalanced.... - Reading Eagle

Fiscal code bill veto will have an impact HARRISBURG — The nine-month impasse over the state budget ended with one piece of unfinished business remaining. Gov. Tom Wolf let a $6.6 billion supplemental budget bill written by Republican lawmakers become law without his signature so schools and publicly supported universities get needed state aid to stay open.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Inquirer editorial: Wolf veto may give him more leverage Whether it was his intent or not, one consequence of Gov. Wolf's veto of legislation that details how state allocations must be spent could give him more leverage to get his next budget passed. Wolf last week let a $30 billion budget become law without his signature to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

April 3 No end in sight for state budget blues Even though money is flowing again, organizations that depend on Harrisburg for operating funds are bracing for more financial uncertainty. - Reading Eagle

Harrisburg GOP begins budget strategizing One warned of an "intense three-month run" looming in the Capitol. A few called for introducing tax-cut bills as a preemptive strike against a governor who wants the opposite. Another pitched a flat funding formula for public schools and ending other programs, such as grants to college students whose "major is poetry or some... - Philadelphia Inquirer

April 1 Commentary: Nonprofits, guard against future budget stalemates By Jim Cawley Last week, Pennsylvania officially moved on from its historic nine-month budget impasse. Gov. Wolf's decision to let the latest budget offering become law brings an end to a long and painful time for the health and human services community and, most importantly, for those who rely on us... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Credit agencies pessimistic about Pa. finances (column) Kevin J. Schreiber, Guest Columnist Gov. Tom Wolf recently announced that he would not veto the latest state budget proposal sent to him by the Republican majority. He also said he would not sign it either, effectively allowing it to become law automatically. The symbolism should not be understated. Gov. Wolf is... - York Daily

Pa.’s environmental funding cut for 13th consecutive year April 1, 2016 By CRISCI ASSOCIATES While some are breathing a sigh of relief, Pennsylvania’s fiscal year 2015-16 budget represents the 13th year in a row funding and staff for environmental programs has been cut. more »» - Lock Haven Express

New budget battle: Wolf and Republican leaders just never quit Pennsylvania’s budget debacle is the gift that keeps on giving — trouble, that is. Although Gov. Tom Wolf acquiesced and signed a $30 billion version last week, nine months after the deadline, he vetoed the fiscal code. That’s a separate piece of legislation that routinely accompanies a budget and... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

March 31 Wolf correct to veto budget’s fiscal code Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf decided to let the latest budget proposal passed by the Legislature become law without his signature in order to avert fiscal catastrophe in some quarters, including the possibility certain public schools might have to shut their doors for lack of funds.... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Wolf veto threatens conventional oil, gas industry Just when you thought Gov. Tom Wolf had put his veto pen away and was done creating crises for the people of Pennsylvania, he chose to veto another bill integral to the state budget process last week. The governor’s rejection of the state’s Fiscal Code bill has... - Bradford Era

Pa. budget just a temporary relief valve | Editorial After enduring 38 weeks without a state budget, Pennsylvania is now one week into a "new" budget year. Did we learn anything from that standoff? Only this: The partisan divide in state government looks like it's going to dictate the budget course for at least a few more years. And that's a... - Easton Express-Times

A View from Main Street It was nothing short of an Easter miracle: Pennsylvania has a budget! The nine month old budget impasse has ended when HB1801 went into effect. As expected, opinions on the budget vary. Matthew Brouillette of the Commonwealth Foundation said, “Governor Wolf did the right thing by allowing this balanced budget to become law.... - DuBois Courier-Express

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — “On Monday, Pennsylvania’s budget became law, releasing full funding for our schools,” according to state Rep. Paul Schemel, a Republican who represents Franklin County. HB1801 puts back into the budget the $6 billion which the governor vetoes in late December. House... - Waynesboro Record Herald

NEPA nonprofits say state funding mechanism leaves them at risk WILKES-BARRE — Following the passage of the state budget this month, area nonprofits seem to be able to breath a bit easier for now, but their leaders continue to remain concerned for the future. Ron Evans, executive director of Wyoming Valley Catholic Social Services,... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

The education our students deserve The 2015-16 state budget standoff will undoubtedly be remembered in history (and hopefully not be repeated). A silver lining in the impasse is Pennsylvanians should now understanding that finalizing a spending plan is not as simple as passing one piece of legislation. The state budget is made... - Gettysburg Times

March 30 State funds concern county HOLLIDAYSBURG - Blair County leaders said Tuesday that they remain concerned about the fallout from the state's nine-month state budget impasse. - Altoona Mirror

Wolf: Not so fast on Pennsylvania budget solution Just when it looks like Pennsylvania might have a living, breathing state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf keeps coming up with new reasons to keep it from happening. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

March 29 Budget impasse over, but controversy lingers Lost in the collective sigh of relief that came with word of the end of the state’s budget impasse was this: Gov. Tom Wolf didn’t like how the Legislature planned to drive out school funding so he plans, again, to take out his veto pen. Wolf will allow the main budget bill to become law. But he is vetoing a... - New Castle News

Political hurdles threaten state’s fiscal future Lawmakers led by House Republicans celebrated as a victory for taxpayers Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to let their 2016 budget become law without his signature. It is likely to be a phyrric victory, however. The budget contains no tax increase for which lawmakers would be accountable in this legislative... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Wolf vetoes fiscal code bill related to Pennsylvania budget HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed legislation that was passed along with the Pennsylvania budget, citing concerns about how it divides money for schools, borrows $2.5 billion, affects greenhouse gas emissions at power plants, and regulates oil and gas drilling... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

New budget, poor outlook Gov. Wolf allowed a budget crafted by state Republicans to become law last week without his signature. Even though the governor’s decision finally ended a nearly nine-month budget impasse and was a big relief to school districts that rely heavily on state funding, no doubt Wolf came away with... - Levittown Intelligencer

Budget passed, but fight not over for Wolf, legislators Pennsylvania has a budget for the current year, so that means everything gets back to business, right? Well, maybe. “Funding will go out as quickly as possible now that the budget has become law. The governor’s goals remain that same: avoid fiscal catastrophe by addressing the more than $2,000,000,000 structural budget... - State College Centre Daily Times

2016 budget solves nothing Lawmakers led by House Republicans celebrated as a victory for taxpayers Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to let their 2016 budget become law without his signature. It is likely to be a Pyrrhic victory, however. The budget contains no tax increase for which lawmakers would be accountable in this legislative... - Scranton Times

As Wolf's fiscal code veto takes full effect, Republicans spoil for a fight: Tuesday Morning Coffee Good Tuesday Morning, Fellow Seekers. As you've probably heard by now, Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed the "Fiscal Code," a piece of legislation that pretty much provides the formal instructions on how to spend the money appropriated by this year's General Fund budget.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pat Cuneo: Late state budget merits plenty of blame ERIE, Pa. -- So, we finally have a state budget, and it's as flawed as any passed in modern state history, thanks to our dysfunctional, paralyzed politics. I bring this up not to add to your state of depression about politics, but to make a few observations: - Gov. Tom Wolf's political loss with the budget is obvious on some levels.... - Erie Times-News

March 28 Missing pieces in budget bill Key elements that are missing from the bill that will end the nine-month state budget stalemate, to take effect without the governor’s signature : Pension reform to stem what will soon be a crippling, multibillion-dollar annual state obligation if left unchecked. Senate Majority Leader Jake... - State College Centre Daily Times

Editorial: Pa. has a budget, but no answers After a nine-month showdown over spending and taxes, Gov. Tom Wolf was the first to blink. It might take a little while longer for the rest of Pennsylvania to come to grips with what happened. Democrat Wolf, who was under increasing pressure to give up his pipe dream... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Analysis | Budget impasse over, but controversy lingers HARRISBURG – Lost in the collective sigh of relief that came with word of the end of the state’s budget impasse was this: Gov. Tom Wolf didn’t like how the Legislature planned to drive out school funding so he plans, again, to take out his veto pen. Wolf will allow the main budget bill to become law. But he is vetoing a... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

Gov. Wolf made the right call on Pa. budget (editorial) He did the sensible thing by letting the budget become law without his signature. In January, state Sen. Scott Wagner, R-Spring Garden Township, said Republican lawmakers had Gov. Tom Wolf “down on the floor with our foot on his throat and we let him up. Next time, we won't let him up.”... - York Daily

DN editorial: Wolf's loss not Pennsylvania's gain GOVERNMENT ISN'T sport, but that doesn't stop us for treating it like one. The headlines last week that followed Gov. Wolf's decision on this year's state budget were the kind you usually find over a story about a hockey game, with phrases like "Wolf caves" and "Gov. loses to Republicans" and... - Philadelphia Daily News

Make budget cycle 2 years Legislative Republicans successfully have defied their constitutional duty and the calendar itself with the budget package that Gov. Tom Wolf reluctantly has allowed to become law without his signature. Mr. Wolf said Wednesday that he will neither veto nor sign the $6 billion... - Scranton Times

The good news is that we have a budget; Bad news, we still have a budget problem: Tony May By Tony May So what do we mean when we say 'Kicking the can down the road?' TONY MAY HEADSHOT ART.jpegTony May (PennLive File) According to one definition, you "you delay a decision in hopes that the problem or issue will go away or somebody else will make the decision... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Time to get to work on next Pa. budget A considerable amount of the coverage and commentary about the end to Pennsylvania’s infuriating budget impasse focused on which side of the political aisle got the better of it. Let’s be clear. Pennsylvania and Pennsylvanians got the worst of it. They deserve better. Much better.... - State College Centre Daily Times

Message from state voters to governor, Legislature: Compromise Gov. Tom Wolf's and lawmakers' stalemate over the 2015-16 state budget is finally over. But the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled Legislature now have to figure out how to reach a 2016-17 spending plan. And voters have some thoughts on how they'd like to see that happen.... - Reading Eagle

No heroes in state budget process A nine-month budget stalemate comes to this: Schools and other organizations are getting funding they should have had long ago, the state still hasn’t tackled important fiscal concerns and our elected leaders continue to trade barbs rather than work together on behalf of the people... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

State budget impasse is far from over Pennsylvania finally has a budget, nearly nine months past the July 1 deadline. That’s the good news out of Harrisburg last week. The bad news is that we’re likely headed down the same path of delay, stalemate and contentiousness with the budget for next year.... - Beaver County Times

State budget hurdles remain HARRISBURG — The spotlight at the statehouse now shifts to the fiscal 2016-17 budget with Gov. Tom Wolf facing tougher political hurdles to get the new tax revenue he wants to erase a large $2 billion revenue deficit and boost state aid to public schools and other programs.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

The 387-day budget saga: High, er, lowlights of the long wait The Pa. House of Representatives passes a series of Republican-authored budget bills on March 16 that surge through with bipartisan support. A week later, amid the increasing likelihood that the legislature could override a veto, the governor announces Wednesday that he would let a... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Auditor general talks about budget stalemate impact, reports The man charged with making sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed, and bills paid, by state agencies had something to say about the end of Pennsylvania’s epic budget battle. “If this was a football game, both teams would have gotten unsportsmanlike conduct penalties,” Auditor General Eugene DePasquale... - State College Centre Daily Times

The next Pa. budget: Have we learned anything? Can we help ourselves? That was interesting. 270 days after the due date, all the policy and spending questions (most of them anyway) at the core of Pennsylvania's never-ending 2015-16 budget debate have been resolved. But state budgets, like Easter Sundays and baseball seasons, come around... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

New Wolf veto to have impact HARRISBURG — The nine-month impasse over the state budget ended last week with one piece of unfinished business remaining. Gov. Tom Wolf will let a $6.6 billion supplemental budget bill written by Republican lawmakers become law without his signature so schools and... - Scranton Times

Wolf spokesman warns of Pennsylvania budget deficit, reduced credit ratings Even though Pennsylvania’s current-year budget impasse is over, the state still faces potential credit downgrades because Republican budget proposals do not address a $2 billion structural deficit, Gov. Tom Wolf’s spokesman says. “We still face enormous problems that this budget does not even pretend... - Beaver County Times

Pennsylvania's budget woes bring warning from lenders, ratings agencies Lawmakers in Harrisburg may have pushed a budget through for 2015-16, providing much- needed relief for school districts and human services providers, but financial institutions say the state's money troubles are far from over. In a PNC report released hours after Gov. Tom Wolf said he would allow a... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

This wasn't a budget Gov. Wolf wanted - but it was one Pa. needed: Charlie Gerow By Charlie Gerow The Rolling Stones famously sang a half-century ago that "You can't always get what you want." NEW GEROW HEADSHOT ART.jpegRepublican strategist Charlie Gerow (PennLive file) But, as Messrs Jagger and Richards also sagely observed, "If you try sometimes you find you get what you need."... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

On Pennsylvania's finally resolved budget stalemate, and the not-so-resolved state of American politics THE ISSUE After a budget stalemate that lasted about nine months, Pennsylvania will finally have a full budget for 2015-16, leaving Illinois as the only state without one in the country. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s quest for “a multibillion-dollar tax increase from a Republican- controlled... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

At last There was a huge sigh of relief in Harrisburg Wednesday, which echoed throughout the commonwealth. Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he wasn’t going to veto a $6.6 billion GOP appropriations bill, essentially ending a nineth-month budget impasse that threatened the survival of schools,... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Our view: Get to work on next Pa. budget -- now ERIE, Pa. -- A considerable amount of the coverage and commentary about the end to Pennsylvania's infuriating budget impasse focused on which side of the political aisle got the better of it. Let's be clear. Pennsylvania and Pennsylvanians got the worst of it. They... - Erie Times-News

Starting over Unilateral winners are hard to find in the much-delayed passage of Pennsylvania’s 2015-16 budget. Schools, social service agencies and county governments finally will receive funding for which they have been starving. On the other hand, public schools will be getting only about half of what... - New Castle News

Wolf warns of impending 2016-17 budget crisis Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday warned Pennsylvanians that state finances are far from healthy despite his decision Wednesday to allow the Republican-backed 2015-16 state budget to become law. Wolf said Thursday he has to move forward and address a looming $2 billion... - Erie Times-News

Even with a budget, Moody's sees little hope for Pa.'s finances Pennsylvania's historic budget impasse may be over, but Moody's Investors Service said it may be only a short reprieve. Gov. Wolf said Wednesday he would not veto the latest $30 billion Republican budget plan, allowing it to become law. He had vetoed previous... - Philadelphia Inquirer

PA Budget Battle Lines Remain In Place Despite Temporary Resolution HARRISBURG, PA (CBS) — Governor Wolf’s decision to allow budget legislation to become law without his signature represents only a temporary truce in his battles with the legislature, not a sign of smoother sailing ahead. Earlier this month the Republican-controlled state House and Senate sent... - KYW News Radio 1060

Social service agencies react to budget truce Luther Sheets, chief operating officer of Charleroi-based Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services (SPHS), has an analogy to describe the effects the nearly nine-month long state budget impasse has had on local social service agencies. “It’s like getting beat up every day and finally the beating... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

March 24 Pennsylvania state budget impasse ends HARRISBURG — After nearly nine months, Pennsylvania’s state budget impasse ground to an end Wednesday, with Gov. Tom Wolf saying he would allow a Republican-crafted appropriations bill to become law without his signature. Mr. Wolf, a Democrat, said he would not sign the bill because he believes... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gov. Tom Wolf's refusal to sign budget bill has a fascinating historical precedent By allowing a state budget to become law without his signature, Gov. Tom Wolf did the political equivalent of washing his hands of what he described as an unbalanced spending plan. "The math doesn't work," he said, after nine months of skirmishing and stalemate with the Republican-held Legislature.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Education officials relieved over end to budget crisis Education advocates and school officials expressed relief Wednesday that Gov. Tom Wolf’s pledge not to block a Republican-crafted appropriations bill will ensure Pennsylvania schools remain open. But they also acknowledged the challenges ahead for education in the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Wolf will let budget become law The nine-month state budget impasse has been resolved. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that he will allow the remaining pieces of a $30 billion budget crafted by the Republican-controlled Legislature to become law despite his reservations. “I cannot, in good conscience, have my name attached to a bill that is... - Reading Eagle

Local educators say budget deal does nothing to solve long-term problems In the last nine months, school districts borrowed millions, delayed buying textbooks and warned that schools may be forced to close. The spending plan that became law Wednesday alleviates those short-term emergencies but does nothing to solve long-term problems, area... - Scranton Times

VIDEO: Turzai: "This is a very balanced, responsible budget" House Speaker Mike Turzai gives his remarks after Gov. Wolf announces that he will allow the 2015-16 budget to become law without this signature. Author: Alanna Koll/Wednesday, March 23, 2016/Categories: News and Views, Video - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

The Heron’s Nest: No reason to celebrate Pa. budget Tom Wolf blinked. For more than eight months, Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor had jousted with the Republican leaders in the Legislature over spending and taxes. He wanted more of both of them. Republicans took one look at this plans and took a trip from Donald Trump.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Local legislators, farm bureau react to state budget news It took nine months, but the Commonwealth learned yesterday that Gov. Tom Wolf relented from previous remarks and said he would not veto the most recent state budget. The new budget will go into effect on Sunday. A number of local legislators who represent Clearfield County, along with... - Clearfield Progress

Passing of state budget does not undue damage done by impasse The Pennsylvania state budget has effectively been approved, courtesy of Gov. Tom Wolf’s decision to neither veto nor pass the bill, allowing it to lapse into law. The budget impasse has most certainly been the largest battle that Wolf has faced during his tenure as Governor, and considering that the final budget... - Penn State Daily Collegian

Wolf allows budget bill to become law HARRISBURG — The nine-month state budget impasse is over. Gov. Tom Wolf will let a $6.6 billion supplemental state budget bill become law without his signature, thus allowing needed state aid to flow to financially strapped school districts, Pennsylvania State University and other state-related... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

State and local officials lukewarm on 2015-16 budget POTTSTOWN >> The end of the nine-month-long state budget impasse Wednesday afternoon was met with a lukewarm reaction from state and local officials. Though they were glad to see the gridlock in Harrisburg come to an end and money go to schools and social service agencies, ultimately they said the... - Norristown Times Herald

Governor Wolf will allow budget to be passed into law, Penn State will receive its funding After a nearly nine-month-long budget impasse due to a gridlock between the Republicans and Democrats, Governor Tom Wolf announced Wednesday afternoon that he will allow the Pennsylvania budget to become law and subsequently granting Penn State the state funding for which it has been waiting.... - Penn State Daily Collegian

Stalemate finally over: Gov. Wolf ends impasse, turns to next year's budget HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s nine-month budget impasse ended abruptly Wednesday, much as it started, with the governor bad-mouthing a spending plan put on his desk by the Republican-led Legislature. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, made it abundantly clear that he doesn’t... - Sharon Herald

Gov. Wolf to allow supplemental budget to become law without his signature Gov. Tom Wolf announced his decision Wednesday about what he will do with the $6 billion- plus budget supplemental the General Assembly put on his desk last week, saying at an afternoon press conference that he will allow the bill to become law without his signature.... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

Pa. budget impasse ends with a whimper With no resolution to Pennsylvania's record nine-month budget impasse in sight and with public schools contemplating closure, Gov. Wolf has succumbed to Republican obstruction and agreed to a plan that keeps the state in the fast lane toward fiscal instability and educational decline.... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Local officials react to passed budget After 267-day stalemate, Pennsylvania finally has a budget. Governor Tom Wolf announced Wednesday he will allow the $6.6 billion GOP budget bill to become law, but he will not sign it. Wolf reportedly had been feeling pressure from his own democratic party to allow the budget to pass in order... - Lebanon Daily News

Gov. Wolf relents after 9-month budget impasse HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor Wednesday backed off his threat to veto the GOP’s $6.6 billion no-new-taxes spending package, ending nearly nine months of partisan gridlock that brought warnings that schools and agricultural extension offices could close.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Ends Pennsylvania's nine-month budget impasse will end, as Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday he would allow the $6.6 billion spending package passed by the Republican-majority in the Commonwealth's General Assembly to lapse into law without his signature or veto. The package, which includes no new taxes, completes the state's $30 billion... - State College News

With state budget resolved, Reading School District breathes easier However, district officials say they still aren't clear exactly how much state aid is coming to the district. - Reading Eagle

March 23 Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf will let state budget closure package take effect without his signature Pennsylvania's long state budget nightmare is over. Gov. Tom Wolf announced Wednesday that he will let a Republican-backed, $7 billion budget closure package take effect without his signature, effectively bringing a truce to a nine-month fiscal and policy war.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa. budget stalemate raises new concerns HOLLIDAYSBURG - Blair County leaders were among those breathing a sigh of relief in January when state lawmakers authorized a release of money so counties could pay local social service agencies. That action allowed many counties, including Blair, to avoid borrowing... - Altoona Mirror

Pa. Gov. Wolf backs off threat to veto latest budget proposal Pennsylvania's epic budget stalemate ended Wednesday as the Democratic governor backed off his latest veto threat, leaving slivers of his once-ambitious agenda intact after nine months of partisan gridlock that threatened to close schools, forced social-service agencies to lay off... - AP

Lawmakers reach pleading stage with Wolf on state budget March 23, 2016 So the state House sent Gov. Tom Wolf yet another spending package to solve the state budget impasse last week. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

FROM THE CAPITOL Pennsylvania House of Representatives —Last week, the House and Senate sent to the governor a final wrap-up for the 2015-16 budget. This latest version is intended to fill the gaps in funding left open when Gov. Tom Wolf cut $6 billion from the budget that he... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Legislators await Wolf's next move on budget Despite vowing to veto the latest attempt by state lawmakers to finalize a state budget, Gov. Tom Wolf has not taken action on the latest financial plan. HB1801 passed the Senate 31-18 and the House 128-63 on March 16. The legislation restores $6 billion in funding vetoed by the Democratic... - Somerset Daily

Pa. budget crisis could cause York County ag office to close The statewide Penn State Agriculture Research & Cooperative Extension, which has an office in York County, may be forced to close because of the protracted state budget crisis. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed in December a line item that included $270 million in funding to Penn State. About $50 million of that is allocated to... - York Dispatch

Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf relents after 9-month budget impasse Ending an almost nine month budget impasse, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday he is letting a supplemental budget bill become law without his signature. It was an about-face for Wolf, who said last week he would again veto the $6 billion in funding that completes a $30 billion budget for 2015-16... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf quiet on veto plans in Pennsylvania budget fight Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf remained quiet Tuesday about how he will handle a Republican- penned spending bill as Democratic lawmakers urged him to release money to keep schools and agricultural extension offices across Pennsylvania from closing... - AP

PSU programs feel pressure of impasse March 23, 2016 LEWISTOWN — On March 16, the Pennsylvania legislatures passed a partial budget that would provide funding for state agencies including the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State. more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

March 22 Gov. Wolf Still Reviewing Budget Legislation HARRISBURG (CBS) — Governor Wolf says at the request of legislative Democratic leaders, he is holding off action for another day on budget legislation sent to him last week. In December, Democratic Governor Tom Wolf partially signed and partially vetoed a budget that met with his disapproval. Last week, the... - KYW News Radio 1060

Editorial: Pa. budget impasse continues to collect victims The trickle-down theory is alive and well in Harrisburg. The misery continues to trickle down. Now well into month nine of a disgraceful budget impasse, the beat goes on. First it was schools. Then it was social programs, followed by early learning and Pre-K programs.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

Hundreds demand fix to state budget HANOVER TWP. — Frustrated taxpayers and concerned parents of school children came out to vent Monday at a meeting to address the ongoing state budget impasse. More than 300 went to the Hanover Area High School auditorium to hear state legislators and local education officials talk about the budget impasse.... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

A momentary pause: At Democratic leaders' request, Gov. Wolf agrees to delay threatened budget veto This post was updated at 11:15 p.m., Monday with some comments from Sen. Vince Hughes, D- Philadelphia. Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday he has agreed, at state Democratic legislative leaders' request, not to veto the state budget closure package on his desk "today."... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

Democrats urge Wolf to relent on veto threat in budget fight HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic lawmakers said Monday that they are urging Gov. Tom Wolf to approve enough aid to keep schools and agricultural extension offices across Pennsylvania from closing and to back off his threat to veto Republican spending legislation he opposes... - AP

School districts grapple with tough choices as Gov. Wolf threatens budget veto Teachers in the East Allegheny School District will be getting their last paycheck this week, unless the district can secure more funding. Superintendent Donald Mac Fann said he is scrambling to get a second loan, while also consulting with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to see... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

March 21 How likely is Wolf to get an election-year tax increase? As likely as catching bigfoot HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's pursuit of a major election-year tax increase has decades of precedent against it: No such tax increase has passed the Pennsylvania Legislature in an election year since at least 1970... - AP

Legislators plead for governor’s signature March 19, 2016 State legislators are calling on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to sign funding bills passed by the state House and Senate on Wednesday so work can begin on the spending plan for 2016-1. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Lack of state budget puts 4-H programs in danger At 13 years old, Abigail Fisher has had an epiphany about life and what gives it meaning. She shared it recently in a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and members of the Pennsylvania Legislature in describing the “miracles” that have made Delaware County 4-H her “home.”... - West Chester Daily Local News

Hanna, Scarnati offer views on state budget, other issues LOCK HAVEN - The political divide on the state budget between Clinton County's two representatives in the General Assembly was clearly demonstrated at a legislative luncheon here Friday. Democratic Rep. Mike Hanna and Republican Sen. Joe Scarnati are on opposite... - Lock Haven Express

Pa. Legislature votes to restore Wolf vetoes March 21, 2016 (EDITOR’S NOTE: Each Monday, the Sun-Gazette summarizes major votes of the past week and, more specifically, how our locally elected and appointed officials voted on each matter. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Analysis: Closed schools may be only thing to break a budget impasse HARRISBURG – They’ve been threatening it for months, but Pennsylvania schools might actually have to lock the doors to force the Legislature and governor to reach a deal on a state budget. The Legislature on Wednesday passed a no-tax-increase budget that spends... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

March 20 Green urges Wolf to sign GOP-passed budget Philadelphia School Reform Commission member Bill Green Friday added his voice to those urging Gov. Wolf to adopt the Republican-crafted budget he has threatened to veto. In a letter to the governor, the former SRC chairman noted that 261 days have elapsed without a new state budget, forcing cash-strapped districts to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Catching Bigfoot: Wolf pursues election-year tax increase Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's pursuit of a major election-year tax increase has decades of precedent against it: No such tax increase has passed the Pennsylvania Legislature in an election year since at least 1970... - AP

No Wolf veto yet on GOP-backed Pa. budget bill Gov. Tom Wolf took no action Thursday on his threat to veto a new, $6 billion Republican- backed spending bill approved by the state Legislature aimed at ending the 8-month-old state budget fight. Wolf was at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on Thursday, outlining... - Erie Times-News

Zeroing In: Drop ploy about school closings, Governor, and resolve budget standoff without busting taxpayers Let’s hear it for the Dallas School District. Amid all the panic that school districts might be forced to close, in particular leaving Wilkes-Barre Area students hungry, the Dallas administrators said their district will stay open despite the dismal failure of state officials to pass a mutually agreeable budget almost nine... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Budget veto threat lingers while Gov. Tom Wolf seeks counsel with Democratic allies A funny thing has happened on the way to Pennsylvania's next budget veto. Thirteen House Democrats cast their votes Wednesday with Republicans for a $30 billion spending plan designed to serve as a three-month truce in the state's unending budget wars. With 200 members currently seated and, that's just three more Democratic... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Pa.'s heritage areas at risk Among the starker casualties of the state budget stalemate are Pennsylvania's heritage areas, all of which raise a portion of their operating capital through local fundraisers but nevertheless also depend heavily on Department of Conservation and Natural Resources appropriations.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

March 18 Carbon County copes with budget fallout JIM THORPE — Carbon County commissioners passed a resolution urging the General Assembly and administration to restore funding for human services and place mechanisms in place to assure a future budget impasse or delay does not burden the county and its residents.... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

State rep. renews call for mediator to end budget impasse A lawmaker from Philadephia has renewed her call for a third-party mediator be brought in to end the 8-month-old state budget impasse. Democratic state Rep. Pam DeLissio most recently renewed her efforts during a budget hearing by the House Appropriations Committee last week.... - York Dispatch

Budget impasse concerns Penn State Extension director WAYNESBURG – Penn State Extension will shut down this summer if a full state budget is not passed soon, the local director told the Greene County commissioners Thursday. Joseph Conklin, the extension’s district director for Greene, Fayette and Washington counties, said the agency is continuing its full slate of... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Pa. budget woes prompt accreditation issues for Penn State Penn State is already dealing with nine months without a state budget appropriation. It’s looking down the road to laying off agricultural employees on May 1. How could the budget stalemate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-led legislature make things more complicated?... - State College Centre Daily Times

Did Gov. Tom Wolf really say he'd let schools close to score his #PaBudget goals?: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. If you weren't paying attention to the Twitters during the dinner hour on Thursday night, then you missed quite the kerfuffle over whether Gov. Tom Wolf said he'd let the schools close so that he get his spending and tax priorities passed this budget season.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

No Wolf veto yet on GOP-backed Pa. budget bill Gov. Tom Wolf took no action Thursday on his threat to veto a new, $6 billion Republican- backed spending bill approved by the state Legislature aimed at ending the 8-month-old state budget fight. Wolf was at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on Thursday, outlining... - Erie Times-News

Carbon commissioners urge Wolf, lawmakers to end budget impasse Carbon County Commissioners are disgusted with Gov. Tom Wolf and the Legislature over the ongoing budget impasse. The board, on Thursday, passed a resolution urging the state to end the impasse and also spoke about Wolf’s warning to counties regarding the lack of a budget and the most recent version of the 2015-2016 spending plan... - Lehighton Times News

Pa. Senate, House pass $6 billion budget Pennsylvania State Senate voted Wednesday to pass a $6 billion spending bill, hoping to end the budget impasse that has plagued the Commonwealth for the last nine months. - Connellsville Daily Courier

March 17 The Latest: Lawmakers send veto-bound budget bill to Wolf HARRISBURG, Pa. The latest on Republican-sponsored budget legislation move through the Pennsylvania Legislature amid an eight-month budget battle:.. - AP

Pennsylvania House sends $30 billion budget bill to Gov. Wolf The state House of Representatives has passed a $30 billion budget with a 128-63 vote, sending the next shot to get closure in Pennsylvania's unyielding budget impasse to Gov. Tom Wolf's desk. The budget bill passed with 115 Republican and 13 Democratic votes.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Details of GOP's budget bill in Pennsylvania's Legislature HARRISBURG, Pa. Republican lawmakers are advancing spending legislation that could arrive on the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf by the end of Wednesday. Wolf threatened to veto it... - AP

Human services in 'a heck of a fix right now, ' Adams County commissioner says It's a story that has grown common across Pennsylvania: local politicians are upset about the state budget impasse. As Pennsylvania ventures into month nine without a budget, the Adams County commissioners are trying to proactively prepare local programs so they're... - Hanover Evening Sun

Wolf vows to veto latest GOP budget bill HARRISBURG - In yet another turn of the political carousel that is the still-unapproved state budget, Gov. Wolf said Wednesday that he would veto the latest spending plan passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. "Republican leaders are once again insistent on passing another... - Philadelphia Inquirer

The state budget impasse is disruptive and disgusting I am so disgusted by the fact that our state government cannot pass the budget. I thought that it should have been passed before all the state government leaders broke for Christmas. Maybe if they would set a deadline for themselves and their own comfort, everyone would be more interested in... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

4-H, Ag programs join state budget hostage list March 17, 2016 Pennsylvanians are sick and tired of the continued political battles in Harrisburg. The fighting between the Republican-controlled Legislature and Democratic Gov. more »» - Lock Haven Express

PA budget stalls again As WTAJ News told you earlier this week, many area schools fear they may be forced to layoff staff or close their doors. Wednesday, the PA Senate passed a partial budget. Wolf says he will veto it. Republicans say the 6 billion dollar spending plan makes a significant... - WearecentralPA.com

Another budget on Wolf's desk -- where it awaits likely veto A state budget will again land on Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk in an attempt by lawmakers to restore more than $6 billion in funding vetoed by the Democratic governor in December. And Wolf has again said he will veto the spending plan. - Somerset Daily

State legislators again arguing over budget The Pennsylvania budget impasse is quickly turning into the movie Groundhog Day. According to Senator Scott Hutchinson, legislation-passed money is the Republican Legislature's fourth attempt "to provide essential funding for our schools, agricultural programs and human services agencies.... - Warren Times Observer

School boards group seeks release of state funds while Wolf calls latest GOP-led budget 'irresponsible' With school districts in financial pain as Harrisburg sits on $3 billion targeted for basic education, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association is calling for the money to be released. "No longer can the state hold schools and students hostage to politics,"... - Levittown Intelligencer

Gov. Wolf should drop veto threat - it's time to get it done: Thursday Morning Coffee Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Stop us if you've heard this one before: The Republican-controlled General Assembly sends Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf legislation it hopes will end Pennsylvania's ages-old budget standoff. The bill sails through the House and Senate, mostly along party lines, and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

With growing Democratic support for Pa. budget closure bill, GOP leaders ponder veto override chances The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a series of Republican-authored budget bills with some bipartisan support Wednesday, setting the stage for a possible veto override battle with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf next week. Wolf said earlier in the day he is not satisfied with the latest budget... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 16 Wolf says he'll veto latest Republican budget proposal Gov. Tom Wolf says he will veto a Republican proposal to end the state’s eight-month budget battle if the legislation reaches him in its current form. The governor, a Democrat, will also face the decision of whether to sign bills to provide funding to the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

At a glance: Highlights of the latest Pa. state budget proposal Republicans who control the Pennsylvania General Assembly say they plan to take votes Wednesday on a new, $30 billion spending plan that they hope will end their nine-month budget stalemate with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. Some of the key components of the latest proposal for fiscal 2015-16... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

At a glance: Highlights of the latest Pa. state budget proposal Republicans who control the Pennsylvania General Assembly say they plan to take votes Wednesday on a new, $30 billion spending plan that they hope will end their nine-month budget stalemate with Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf. Some of the key components of the latest proposal for fiscal 2015-16... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Smart Talk: Gov. Wolf/Sen. Corman talk budget What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican Senate Majority Leader Sen. Jake Corman appear on Wednesday's Smart Talk. Republicans have proposed and the House and Senate could vote Wednesday on a $30 billion, 2015-16 state budget. The spending plan doesn't include tax... - WITF

Here we go again. General Assembly set to vote on another 2015-16 budget plan Nine months into the fiscal year and still no assurances Pennsylvania will emerge with a 2015-16 budget but that doesn't stop state lawmakers from trying again. The General Assembly is poised to vote on Wednesday on a $30 billion state budget plan that House and Senate GOP lawmakers crafted without input from... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Lawmakers warn of threat to Penn State extension programs The sound of political jackhammering reverberated Tuesday throughout the East Wing of the Capitol as Republican lawmakers pounded Gov. Tom Wolf. The reason: budget cuts that most believe could have potentially devastating consequences for the agriculture community and all... - Reading Eagle

Auditor General gathering info on impact of budget The Pennsylvania Auditor General will look into how the current budget impasse is affecting Pennsylvania school districts, a release stated Monday. In the release, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said he as directed his staff to conduct a review of the financial conditions of the... - Connellsville Daily Courier

Penn State, farm leaders push for ag funds An 8-year-old boy named Parker isn’t old enough to join 4-H yet, but his brother is. He helps his older brother with his projects, and when that brother’s 4-H group was asked to write letters to support the funding that would keep the group going in Pennsylvania, Parker pitched in.... - State College Centre Daily Times

Pennsylvania GOP legislators start another effort to complete state budget HARRISBURG — Legislative Republicans on Tuesday began another effort to complete the state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, but they have yet to win the support of Gov. Tom Wolf, who has vetoed past GOP proposals to finalize Pennsylvania’s spending plans.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Years of underfunding have crippled Pa. schools Pennsylvania's schools are struggling. It didn't happen overnight, and it’s not the result of the budget impasse. Right now, Gov. Tom Wolf is fighting to make sure that all schools have the sustainable resources they need to provide a high-quality education for our students, but the... - York Daily

Details of GOP's budget bill in Pennsylvania's Legislature Republican lawmakers are advancing spending legislation that could arrive on the desk of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf by the end of Wednesday... - AP

State legislators hear how agricultural programs affect state, farmers Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto of agricultural program funding could not only cost Penn State its extensions and affect 1,100 workers, but cause more than $250 million in economic losses to Pennsylvania, a Penn State official said Tuesday. Wolf’s veto of the $50.5 million Land Scrip Fund, which funds Penn... - Beaver County Times

Budget impasse triggers accreditation questions for universities Pennsylvania's lengthy budget impasse has caused the national commission that accredits colleges to question Temple and the three other state-related universities about their ability to stay in compliance without a collective $600 million in state funding they have yet to... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Our Legislature is bankrupting Pennsylvania: Art Haywood By Art Haywood Are you willing to keep $20 dollars extra each month in exchange for accepting a bankrupt Pennsylvania? Are you ready to accept rising juvenile delinquency, broken schools, abandoned properties, increasing crime and unsafe nursing homes for elderly... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

'Compromise' not a dirty word The Republicans in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are still closing their eyes, sticking their fingers in their ears, and saying, "We can't see you, we can't hear you." Or at least, that appears to be case when dealing - or not dealing - with the commonwealth's budget for... - Gettysburg Times

March 15 Could this be the week Pennsylvania finally finishes up work on a 2015-16 budget? With only three months left in the 2015-16 fiscal year, state lawmakers this week are planning to take another stab at finalizing a state budget to alleviate financial concerns that are keeping school officials up late at night. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday is expected to consider... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

GOP preps new bill in Pennsylvania's partisan budget fight HARRISBURG, Pa. Republican lawmakers say they'll advance budget legislation this week that they hope will end Pennsylvania's eight-month-old partisan gridlock... - AP

Why the threat to Penn State's agricultural extension dollars could affect your kitchen table. And more. Penn State officials have been ringing alarm bells for two weeks now over the lack of $50.5 million in state funding for its 67 county-level agricultural extension offices and related research labs. Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed this unique arm of Penn State's annual state... - Harrisburg Patriot- News

State budget stalemate holds Penn State Extension programs in limbo Penn State University’s agricultural research and extension programs will face the budgetary ax if state legislators do not end the financial stalemate by May, a Penn State Extension representative said. Penn State Extension programs, including 4-H Clubs, Master Gardeners,... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

March 14 Wolf: Counties will get the bill if state skips tax increase Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf warned Pennsylvania's county commissioners on Monday that they will get stuck with higher human services costs and more difficult decisions if the Republican- controlled Legislature refuses to raise taxes... - AP

Gov. Tom Wolf says he's keeping door open to other 2015-16 budget ideas, but only if the math works Gov. Tom Wolf said Monday he is open to hearing about state budget solutions for 2015-16 that don't require a mid-budget year tax increase, but will accept them only if he is convinced the math works. Wolf's comments came after a morning speech before a state meeting of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Local lawmakers, officials weigh in on state budget, tourism, inmate programs The lack of a 2016 state budget, funding shortfalls for numerous agencies and the perceived inability for the Republicans, Democrats and the governor to reach an agreement, topped the conversation as business leaders met with local elected officials. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Pennsylvania Extension and 4-H programs hang in the balance Joel Hunter, a crop expert with Penn State Extension Erie County, walked into his Meadville office last week to find 13 messages waiting. It was the usual assortment of calls, including questions about spring crops and bringing fallow ground into production.... - Erie Times-News

Lancaster County Penn State Extension office faces closure The local Penn State Extension office, a 100-year-old educational agency that serves farmers, 4- H clubs and the public across Lancaster County, will close if $50 million in statewide funding caught in a state budget impasse can't be restored. The possibility of the 24-employee office closing and 4-H clubs shutting... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Farm Bureau warns of impending budget disaster March 14, 2016 BIGLERVILLE — Pennsylvania Farm Bureau called on members of the state General Assembly and the Governor to take immediate action to avoid a shutdown of Penn State University’s Cooperative Extension... more »» - Lewistown Sentinel

Our Opinion: Threat of mass school closings might compel Harrisburg to finally pass state budget Would it be a good idea – and it’s tragic this is becoming a viable option – for local school districts to publicly set definite dates each will close if Harrisburg doesn’t resolve the budget impasse? The protracted battle, now unbelievably in its ninth month, between... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

PA Budget Hearings Conclude With Wide Divisions Remaining HARRISBURG (CBS) — Three weeks of budget hearings by state lawmakers have underscored the wide gulf that continues to exist between Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled legislature. Joe Markosek, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee... - KYW News Radio 1060

Gov. Wolf provoking constitutional crises By Lowman S. Henry Gov. Tom Wolf has been in office for just over a year, but already we know historians will put the words "budget crisis" in their lead paragraph. But a far more ominous phrase may get top billing: "constitutional crisis." - Uniontown Herald-Standard

March 13 Inquirer Editorial: Better leaders would end state's budget impasse The spectacular failure of Gov. Wolf and the legislature to deliver a budget has put every home, business, and school in Pennsylvania at risk. Without a better resolution to Pennsylvania's nine- month budget crisis, there are only bad choices to make: Raise property taxes. Cut programs for... - Philadelphia Inquirer

State budget debacle could mean a $7 million deficit for Carlisle school district If lawmakers fail to resolve the state budget debacle, Carlisle Area School District could be faced with a $7 million budget deficit in its current fiscal year. That was the word Thursday from Business Operations Manager Owen Snyder who recently sought advice because he thought he was at a disadvantage for... - Carlisle Sentinel

Worsening budget mess awaiting lawmakers Lawmakers return to session Monday to face the fiscal problems they left behind a month ago before the budget hearings started. Those problems have only grown more serious during their absence from Harrisburg. Standard & Poor’s Rating Services recently warned that... - Scranton Times

Pa. budget victim: Local film business For those in the business of luring Hollywood movies to Pennsylvania, last year's budget staredown produced a nail-biter in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the state's two filmmaking hubs. And the drama might not be over. Pittsburgh nearly lost a batch of TV and film projects as the legislature... - Philadelphia Inquirer

With move on prisons funding, Gov. Wolf provoked a Constitutional crisis: As We See It Last Dec. 29, Gov. Tom Wolf exercised his constitutional authority to line-item veto portions of a fiscally responsible budget that the General Assembly sent to his desk.Wolf even took the proverbial budget axe to several line items that met his preferred level of funding.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Welcome to Pennsylvania. Budget optional. | Editorial No one in Harrisburg has found a way to resolve the state's eight-month budget standoff, but at least the state has a new tourism catchphrase: "Pennsylvania. Pursue your happiness." And a boost in the minimum wage for state workers, compliments of Gov. Tom Wolf.... - Easton Express-Times

March 11 Festering funding problem If you pay attention to all of the dog-and-pony shows, smoke and mirrors and arguments about education spending, it makes your head spin. Where will all of this education money that Gov. Tom Wolf proposes in his budget go? Will it be used for the betterment of students in the classroom... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State budget debacle could mean a $7 million deficit for Carlisle school district If lawmakers fail to resolve the state budget debacle, Carlisle Area School District could be faced with a $7 million budget deficit in its current fiscal year. That was the word Thursday from Business Operations Manager Owen Snyder who recently sought advice because he thought he was at a disadvantage for... - Carlisle Sentinel

Gov. Tom Wolf talks to the Reading Eagle Gov. Tom Wolf admitted that his move to raise the minimum wage of some state employees is "a baby step." But in an interview with the Reading Eagle, Wolf said Wednesday that he hopes it builds momentum to raise the minimum wage for workers across the Keystone State.... - Reading Eagle

Five things we learned from Pa. Budget Secretary Randy Albright's final act in 2016 state budget hearings Friday What more can you say about a budget stalemate that's now into its ninth month, has the state Treasurer weighing competing Constitutional provisions to keep certain state operations afloat and - with a fresh batch of tax increase proposals on the table - shows no sign of easing in 2016-17?... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 10 Letter: Pa. budget stalemate threatens farming ISSUE | PA. BUDGET Farming threatened We are all hidden victims of the state budget crisis and lawmakers who refuse to compromise, but now we're facing deep cuts to programs that help put food on our tables. Penn State's agricultural extension programs are national leaders in... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Ag extensions warn of crisis if funding isn’t agreed to soon Representatives of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry, 4-H participants, and members of the House Republican caucus joined together Wednesday to sound the alarm on what they say is a “crisis” that will impact Pennsylvania’s agriculture extensions if their funding is... - Pennsylvania Legislative Services

Pa. schools association asks court to order state payment of subsidies The Pennsylvania School Boards Association on Wednesday filed an Application for Special Relief in Commonwealth Court asking that the state be ordered to pay school districts all state subsidies that were due as of Feb. 25. In addition, the application asks the court to order that all payments to... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Letter to the Editor: School shutdowns an unacceptable way to ‘solve’ budget standoff Reading the March 1 article about threatened school closings due to lack of legislative action on a state budget, I am reminded of a meeting several years ago with the Senate Republican caucus. We were meeting over dinner in Harrisburg to discuss the lack of... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Pa. residents victims of state budget crisis Editor: We are all hidden victims of the state budget crisis and lawmakers who refuse to compromise, but now we’re facing deep cuts to programs that literally help put food on our tables. We’ve already seen our property taxes skyrocket, education slashed and social programs reduced or eliminated. Now, the budget crisis is looming... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Hundreds rally in Harrisburg for agriculture program jeopardized by budget impasse HARRISBURG - Hundreds of farmers, 4-H Club members, agriculture educators and others converged Wednesday on the Capitol in support of a 150-year-old program whose existence is threatened amid the state's budget impasse. It's an issue that, quite literally, could affect all Pennsylvanians, not... - Reading Eagle

Rural Pennsylvania hospitals to receive partial funding HARRISBURG — State officials are preparing to release partial funding to some rural hospitals caught up in the state budget impasse. The 14 critical access hospitals will soon receive $3.2 million in revenue generated for them through a long-standing state assessment on hospitals,... - Scranton Times

March 9 'Get this done': Dauphin County commissioners call on state to end budget impasse As the state budget impasse drags on into its ninth month, Pennsylvania counties are banding together to raise awareness of how the loss of human services is impacting their communities. The Dauphin County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

From the Capitol Pennsylvania House of Representatives — “Our current minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.25 per hour. There are always efforts afoot to raise the minimum wage. I generally oppose these efforts because I believe that an increase would be punitive... - Waynesboro Record Herald

Pa.: No budget yet, but we do have a new tourism slogan Pennsylvania might not have a state budget, but thankfully, it does have a new state tourism slogan and logo: The Pennsylvania Tourism Office is now encouraging travelers to visit with the slogan “Pennsylvania. Pursue Your Happiness," a bow to the iconic phrase from the Declaration of... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Legislature must do its part for ag funding Editor, The News: Senator Vogel rightly touts the many ways Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Extension Service serve Pennsylvania and its food and fiber industries, but we need the senator’s help to aid them to continue that work. It is not a matter of policy, but a matter of process — a process that... - New Castle News

PSU Extension falls victim to Pa. budget impasse BIGLERVILLE - A hostage in Pennsylvania’s budget crisis is making its case to the public. Richard Roush, dean of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, said on Tuesday that layoff notices would go out May 1 to the 1,100 people working for the Penn State Extension unless lawmakers restore more than $50... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Juniata County commissioners send message to legislature Resolution urges lawmakers to adopt budget. MIFFLINTOWN - In order to send a message to the state legislature, the Juniata County Commissioners on Tuesday joined many other Pennsylvania counties in adopting a resolution addressing the "Commonwealth Budget and... - Lewistown Sentinel

New drug monitoring program should start in August HARRISBURG — A new state-run prescription drug monitoring program created to help curb the opioid abuse epidemic should be operating by August, Health Secretary Karen Murphy, Ph.D., told lawmakers Tuesday. The monitoring program, authorized under a 2014 state law signed by former... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

March 8 Pittsburgh Tuesday takes Spring has sprung: The buds on the trees, fattened, are ready to burst open. The birds, migrating en masse, are leaving no remaining winter berry undevoured. And then there are the bulbs, by the dozens, peeking through the mulch. If all that wasn't confirmation enough that spring has arrived,... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Westmoreland County group will take 4-H fight to Harrisburg A busload of 56 people from Westmoreland County will travel to Harrisburg on Wednesday to rally for support of 4-H and other agricultural programs whose funding is being threatened by state budget cuts. The group will attend the House Appropriations Committee budget hearing for... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State Sen. Lisa Baker: Avoid destructive budget standoffs by changing state’s constitution A serious, nasty and debilitating budget deadlock that boils over into a second calendar year should be the catalyst for fundamental reforms of the state budget process. People argue about everything these days, but that assertion is really hard to refute. The entrenched political, philosophical and regional differences found... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Dataplace: Some interesting numbers from the Pa. General Fund $1.9 billion The amount that Pennsylvania collected in General Fund revenue in February, which was $51.5 million, or 2.9 percent, more than anticipated, Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $17.8 billion, which is $60.7 million, or 0.3 percent, above estimate.... - Reading Eagle

Jeff Sheridan: Expect runaway school property taxes if Republicans get their way with state budget Massive cuts at the state level and a lack of real investment in education are not only hurting school districts across Pennsylvania, but also having a devastating impact on middle-class families and seniors who can no longer afford to pay for the Republican property tax increases that have been... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

March 7 Penn State ag offices in crosshairs HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania State University is making contingency plans to close its network of agricultural extension offices should missing state aid for the current fiscal year not be provided before May, a top campus official said Wednesday. Penn State Provost Nick Jones, Ph.D., and presidents of three other... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Can Phila. Schools Make It Through An Entire Year With Half Of Its State Funding? PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Philadelphia school officials say a modest surplus from last year is providing some breathing room as the state budget stalemate drags on. The cash-strapped Philadelphia school district ended last fiscal year with a surplus. $88 million. How? The district got more revenue than it expected... - KYW News Radio 1060

OPED: Farm Bureau may lose land grant RICK EBERT, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau president I can hear my father’s words quite plainly today. When explaining to me the difference between cost and value, he’d say what I’m sure many of us have heard before, “you get what you pay for”. So last week’s announcement by Penn State President Eric Barron that... - York Dispatch

Pennsylvania school funding myths debunked By JAMES PAUL March 6, 2016 Are Pennsylvania’s public schools underfunded? That’s been the central question in Pennsylvania politics for a half-dozen years. But from Gov. Tom Corbett’s first budget to Gov. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Secretary of aging discusses challenges HARRISBURG — For state Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne, keeping tabs on the health of the Pennsylvania lottery is a main preoccupation. She continually asks everyone she meets if they bought a lottery ticket that day. For the past four decades, Pennsylvania lottery revenue has gone... - Scranton Times

March 6 Pennsylvania’s broken government Why don’t we have a state budget? The answer to that question is neither short nor simple. Pennsylvania’s budget impasse is the direct result of three state policy failures: the failure to find reliable funding sources for state operations, the failure to reduce spending growth that existing laws... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Unlearned lesson: Universities suffer from state budget inaction The latest dire warnings about the state’s budget crisis came from leaders at the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University. Nicholas Jones, Penn State’s executive vice president and provost, told members of the House Appropriations Committee that the state’s largest... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Five tools to help you crack the Pennsylvania fiscal code The Pennsylvania Fiscal code is written to be deliberately cryptic. Cracking the code currently under debate requires a few tools: 1) The previous fiscal code upon which many of the proposed earmark amounts are based 2) The state Constitution, which defines the "special legislation" the code... - Allentown Morning Call

Capitol Roundup: Gov. Wolf says his proposed budget protects seniors Gov. Tom Wolf says his proposed 2016-17 budget poses two distinct realities for Pennsylvania’s future: • If passed, it will be one that ensures that government is responsive and responsible in fulfilling its duty to provide essential social services for older Pennsylvanians.... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Pitt campaign aims to compel state budget passage Eight months into a state budget stalemate that's costing the University of Pittsburgh about 15 percent of its operating budget, the school is turning to hashtag activism. Pitt launched the #WithPitt social media campaign this week after Chancellor Patrick Gallagher appeared at a Harrisburg budget hearing to... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Greene County commissioners addresses funding shortfall WAYNESBURG -- Greene County commissioners Thursday adopted a resolution urging the General Assembly and Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration to restore funding for human services programs and to put mechanisms in place to assure any future budget delays do not become a burden on Greene County... - Uniontown Herald-Standard

March 4 What we will lose if ag research and extension funding is not restored in Pa. EDITOR: State Senator Yaw’s guest editorial published on March 1 talked about the potential impact if fiscal year 2015-2016 funding is not restored for Penn State Agricultural Research and Extension. This budget line has been at zero funding since July 1, 2015.... - Towanda Daily Review

Agricultural aid next budget victim The disgraceful state budget impasse now threatens to force layoffs in Penn State University’s heralded agricultural research and cooperative extension programs. Eric Barron, Penn State’s president, told the school’s board of trustees recently that 1,100 workers could be laid off and its agricultural... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

No budget? No problem - lawmakers still billed $$ millions in travel expenses, report: Friday Morning Coffee Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers. Even as members of Pennsylvania's 253-member General Assembly whined and kvetched last year about the pain of the 2015 budget impasse and castigated Gov. Tom Wolf for runaway spending, they were still billing taxpayers for... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf Administration settles dispute with lawmakers over Public Eployee Retirement Commission Two midstate Republican lawmakers have declared a preliminary win in their suit to stop the Wolf Administration from closing the tiny Public Employee Retirement Commission and folding its duties into the governor's budget office. Reps. Steve Bloom, R-Carlisle, and Seth Grove, R- Spring Grove, have reached... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 3 Pennsylvania Treasury will OK prison funds above law's limit HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s state treasurer says he’ll allow payments for prison costs above the limit set in a December spending bill that didn’t resolve an eight-month budget dispute between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican lawmakers. Treasurer Tim Reese told top lawmakers in a Wednesday letter obtained by... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How to get a Pa. budget passed on time In a business, a general manager and colleagues work collaboratively for the owner. Their shared responsibility is to complete their missions on time and within budget. Assume they fail and each side blames the other for lack of progress. Repeated warnings are issued and they still don't work... - Allentown Morning Call

Penn State representatives join public universities to talk in Harrisburg about budget Leaders of the four Pennsylvania public universities met in Harrisburg to discuss state funding of the 2016-17 fiscal year on Wednesday. However, this comes at a time when the 2015-16 budget has yet to pass, leaving the four universities with $0 of state appropriations for the past... - Penn State Daily Collegian

County commissioners: Shield us from Harrisburg CHAMBERSBURG - Franklin County Commissioners don’t want to be left holding the bag should legislators and the governor come to another impasse on Pennsylvania’s budget. The county in 2015 paid for human services from local reserves at a clip of $1.5 million a month while Republican legislators and Democratic Gov. Tom... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Ag extension shutdown could spell disaster for Adams County farmers It would be disastrous for Adams County if the ongoing state budget impasse leads to a shutdown of Penn State University agricultural extension and search activities, local agricultural producers said Wednesday. More than 1,000 agricultural extension workers could receive layoff notices before... - Gettysburg Times

LETTERS: Pa. budget crisis is strangling higher education As leaders of Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities, we are calling for quick and decisive action to address the commonwealth’s failure to fund our schools. Most Pennsylvanians are aware of the state’s continuing budget impasse. What many citizens may not realize is that four of our state’s most... - Pottstown Mercury

State universities hold out hope more state dollars might be coming for 2015-16 When Gov. Tom Wolf made the decision to cut $20 million from the state aid that the General Assembly approved for the 14 state universities, there was an assurance given to the state universities' system leader that made that news a little more palatable. State System of Higher Education Chancellor Frank Brogan said the... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

March 2 How to get a Pa. budget passed on time In a business, a general manager and colleagues work collaboratively for the owner. Their shared responsibility is to complete their missions on time and within budget. Assume they fail and each side blames the other for lack of progress. Repeated warnings are issued and they still don't work... - Allentown Morning Call

We've notified Pa. officials about our budget stalemate I decided not to pay my state taxes this year. Here is a letter explaining why. Feb. 29, 2016 — To the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: As small-business owners, my husband and I owe taxes to the state of Pennsylvania. Although these taxes are due by April 15, we do not... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Commissioners urge state government to restore human services funding BELLEFONTE As Gov. Tom Wolf is defending a $33.3 billion budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year, counties in the commonwealth are still concerned about the impasse that has locked up state funds during the 2015-16 year. With 244 days without a budget as of Tuesday, county commissioners... - State College Centre Daily Times

Ag aid next budget victim The disgraceful state budget impasse now threatens to force layoffs in Penn State University’s heralded agricultural research and cooperative extension programs. Eric Barron, Penn State’s president, told the school’s board of trustees recently that 1,100 workers could be laid off and its agricultural... - Scranton Times

Treasury eyes request to exceed authorized prison spending HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's administration is asking the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to pay about $200 million in prison costs without legislation to authorize it, which GOP lawmakers say would be unprecedented... - AP

Budget stalemate threatens ag extension I can hear my father’s words quite plainly today. When explaining to me the difference between cost and value, he’d say what I’m sure many of us have heard before, “You get what you pay for.” So last week’s announcement by Penn State President Eric Barron that... - York Daily

March 1 Guest Column: Pa.’s budget crisis threatens Penn State Extension program By Rick Ebert, Times Guest Columnist I can hear my father’s words quite plainly today. When explaining to me the difference between cost and value, he’d say what I’m sure many of us have heard before: “You get what you pay for.” So the recent announcement by Penn State President Eric Barron that our... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

State prison overtime debate is "Exhibit A" in Pennsylvania's budget stalemate A group of Republican state senators grilled Corrections Secretary John Wetzel Monday on heavy overtime costs at state prisons - their headline being that seven corrections officers earned more than $100,000 in overtime pay last year. The debate - which kicked off the second week of legislative hearings on... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Dear governor: Agriculture too critical to ignore Since 1855, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Penn State University have partnered to create one of the most notable agriculture institutions across the nation. The university, on behalf of the commonwealth, provides important research, teaching and extension support in the animal, plant, food, engineering,... - New Castle News

Officials worried budget crisis may shut down schools KINGSTON — Two dozen local school officials on Monday met with five state legislators, and some said they are worried they may have to shut down schools in April if the state budget impasse is not resolved this month. “All of the districts are out of bullets. There is nothing left,”... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

What does 'incomplete' Pa. budget really mean? ERIE, Pa. -- While Gov. Tom Wolf recently unveiled a new, multibillion-dollar budget plan for Pennsylvania's legislators to consider, his previous state spending proposal lingers. The first- term Democrat on Feb. 9 announced a $33.3 billion budget proposal for 2016-17 that includes proposals for multimillion-dollar tax increases... - Erie Times-News

Lack of state appropriations stirs up issues for Penn State Penn State isn’t cheap. The total operating budget for 2015-16 is $4.9 billion. But there is a deficit. The Pennsylvania government has been unable to pass a state budget for this fiscal year, causing repercussions across the state. Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers said via email the university has been... - Penn State Daily Collegian

Letter: Gov. Wolf should present constrained budget A recent letter again blames those rascally Republicans for not doing their job and pass the governor's budget. Thankfully, we have three local representatives, David Parker, Rosemary Brown and Jack Rader, who, along the fellow representatives, are looking out for their constituents and... - Pocono Record

February 29 School boards considering options for budget impasse response With Pennsylvania's budget impasse continuing, the impacts are being felt most profoundly by the poorest school districts. That was one of the takeaways Ellwood City Area School District Superintendent Joe Mancini gained from a meeting last week with officials... - Ellwood City Ledger

No budget could force Penn State to close extension offices Penn State University President Eric Barron says 1,100 agricultural extension workers across the state could be laid off this spring if the university doesn't receive state government aid that's hung up in a partisan budget battle... - AP

Schools start to feel budget impasse pinch in Franklin County After over half a year of deliberations, many Pennsylvanians are wondering how close the state is to resolving the budget crisis and how a lack of money is going to begin to have an impact on them. After over half a year of deliberations, many Pennsylvanians are wondering how close the... - Waynesboro Record Herald

No state budget Here it is, almost the end of February and still no state budget for 2015. Yes, they have given some money to the schools, but schools need to plan a budget and how are they to do that when they don't know what they are getting from the state? There were some people working without pay during... - Lock Haven Express

Election may prolong state’s budget fiasco HARRISBURG — The long-running state budget fight is colliding with an election year in which many lawmakers seek re-election. A look at the election calendar could be useful to determine when the budget fight will reach a climax or enter periods of limbo. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature are... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

February 28 Penn State threatens to lay off around 1,100 employees Penn State President Eric Barron told university trustees Friday that 1,100 agricultural extension workers statewide could face layoffs this spring if the university does not receive its 2015-16 state subsidy. Barron said the layoff notices, which would affect staff at ag extension... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Presidents of Pitt, PSU decry state budget stalemate Penn State University’s president warned Friday that 1,100 workers in Agricultural Research and Extension programs could be laid off statewide this spring if those programs do not secure a state appropriation by May 1. Addressing school trustees in Hershey, Eric Barron blamed the state budget... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What does 'incomplete' Pa. budget really mean? While Gov. Tom Wolf recently unveiled a new, multibillion-dollar budget plan for Pennsylvania's legislators to consider, his previous state spending proposal lingers. The first-term Democrat on Feb. 9 announced a $33.3 billion budget proposal for 2016-17 that includes proposals for multimillion-dollar tax increases... - Erie Times-News

Brinkmanship has replaced compromise If I were to choose a word to define our political world in this winter of our discontent, it would be “brinkmanship.” This term is defined as “the art or practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limits of safety before stopping, typically in politics.” We are surrounded by... - Washington Observer-Reporter

February 26 Best cure for opioid addiction is seeing it as a disease, state official says Harrisburg, PA HARRISBURG - As Pennsylvania's top drug prevention official sees it, addressing the growing overdose epidemic will take, more than anything else, an attitude change. Specifically, state Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Gary Tennis said, the public and medical community need to start thinking about addiction the... - Reading Eagle

Past budget cuts prompt concerns for future of opioid programs With the 2016-17 budget proposal on the table, some are worried spending cuts will affect the fight against opioid abuse in Pennsylvania. Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Secretary Gary Tennis said Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget has the resources to fight the overdose death epidemic,... - York Dispatch

Math must change to solve the state budget impasse Gov. Tom Wolf's budget secretary, Randy Albright, drew the short straw and spent most of his Monday defending Gov. Wolf's latest proposal, a $33.3 billion plan, at a state Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Budget hostages The state’s current budget plan is leaving many hostages waiting for the funding. For example, supporters of Penn State Extension and Somerset County 4-H are working to restore a $50.5 line item veto in the current budget. - Somerset Daily

Budget path not taken leads to bright future Pennsylvania is in crisis — a crisis that threatens our future. There are two paths we can take. Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget invests in education, meets critical human service needs, eliminates the deficit and puts Pennsylvania back on track. The failed status quo, meanwhile, leads to more education cuts, fewer... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

County Extension jeopardized by budget standoff County Extension offices and programs across the state may be in jeopardy, after Gov.Tom Wolf zeroed out a budget line item in December. - Warren Times Observer

Extension, 4-H could be in jeopardy if budget line item is not restored As the state budget battle continues, supporters of the Penn State Extension and Somerset County 4-H programs are working to make sure their voices are heard in an attempt to restore a $50.5 million line item in the current budget. The line item in the Land Scrip Fund was part of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf's... - Somerset Daily

Commitment to pre-K education pays big dividends By JAMIE HADDON and WILLIAM E. HARNER “It gets late early out there.” Yogi Berra said it about the conditions at Yankee Stadium, but it sure sounds like he was talking about early childhood education. At United Way of Bucks County, we work to advance the quality of early... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

February 25 Commissioners adopt resolution calling for human services funding The Somerset County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to adopt a resolution by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania urging the Legislature and governor’s office to restore funding for human services programs to historic levels and to put mechanisms in place to... - Somerset Daily

State government dismays residents Nearly half of Pennsylvania's voters identify the government and politicians as the state's biggest problems, trumping concerns about education, taxes and personal finances by a wide margin, a poll released Thursday shows. “How many different ways can you can you spell dissatisfaction?”... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Impasse doesn't inconvenience lawmakers It is obvious that what passes for leadership in Harrisburg believes that the commonwealth can run without a budget. In fact, the enlightened establishment considers the budget so insignificant that further discussion could wait until after the April primary. God knows that getting re-elected... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Schuylkill County Commissioners call to restore funding, prevent future impasses The Schuylkill County commissioners have joined the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania in urging the General Assembly and administration to restore funding for human service programs and put mechanisms in place to prevent another budget impasse.... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

February 24 Wolf's budget plan ripped By state Rep. Ryan Warner I’m writing in response to the recent letter “Schools Need State Funding,” submitted by Gov. Tom Wolf’s Secretary of Policy and Planning, John Hanger. - Uniontown Herald-Standard

Pennsylvania's kitchen table talk: Treasurer likens state's finances to that of a broke family Pennsylvania Treasurer Timothy Reese told state lawmakers Tuesday that, in his view as a self- made investor and entrepreneur, Pennsylvania's finances are skidding onto very thin ice. Reese did not specifically endorse Gov. Tom Wolf's call for tax increases during his appearances before the House and Senate Appropriations... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Commissioners blast governor for budget stalemate WELLSBORO - Tioga County commissioners on Tuesday blasted Gov. Tom Wolf for his failure to pass a state budget, putting county government human services programs, school districts and other local agencies that rely on state funds in jeopardy. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Auditor General offers his take on state spending during budget impasse, schools, PERC DePasquale estimated that school districts that borrowed money during the budget impasse incurred as much as $45 million in interest charges based on calculations his office did. With the basic education budget cut in half by Wolf in hopes of getting the Legislature to spend a higher amount he found preferable, DePasquale said... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

We're taxed enough - we have a spending problem: Mike Folmer By Mike Folmer Leaving Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address earlier this month, I thought about a line from "Apollo 13": "Houston, we have a problem." Sen. Mike FolmerSenator Mike Folmer, R- LebanonMARK PYNES, The Patriot-News Article VIII, Section 12 of the Pennsylvania Constitution stipulates:... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

New Pa. budget an opportunity to prioritize kids | Opinion By Joan Benso While it seems like elected officials in Harrisburg can't reach consensus on much these days, there is one topic where agreement still can be achieved — Pennsylvania's children. You might have missed it amid the ongoing budget wrangling: There were some... - Easton Express-Times

February 23 What can Tom Wolf do? SITTING IN the gallery above the state House floor listening to Gov. Wolf's budget address two weeks back, I wrote myself a note in the margins of his speech. I wrote, in capital letters, "WHAT NOW?" Two weeks later, I can't find an answer. Nobody seems to have a starter for the now- eight-months-stalled state... - Philadelphia Daily News

Pa. lawmakers want audit of Wolf's spending as $37.5B spent in impasse HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf's administration has spent $37.5 billion since July 1, even though no state budget was in place for six months, and House and Senate leaders asked the state's fiscal watchdog to audit the spending. Lawmakers authorized a budget of only $23.4 billion in December.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

As frustrated as you are I am just as frustrated with Harrisburg as you are. I am just as frustrated with Harrisburg as you are. Whether some in Harrisburg want to admit it or not, our state is facing a crisis. Both the Independent Fiscal Office and Standard and Poor's agree, even without restoring funding for education and human services programs,... - Lock Haven Express

Pennsylvania state budget hearings open Monday, and it feels like relationship counseling Pennsylvania Budget Secretary Randy Albright's marathon appearance before the Senate Appropriations Committee Monday probably could have used a good relationship counselor. Looming over the five-and-a-half hours of state budget discussion was the empty memory of the agreement many of the senators and Gov. Tom Wolf,... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

John Hanger on Pa.'s budget: Gov. Wolf 'took a lot of guff and...got us nowhere' John Hanger was among the most powerful members of Gov. Tom Wolf's Cabinet, particularly in the midst of one of the state's longest budget impasses. As policy and planning secretary, Hanger helped shape the governor's budget proposals, sat in on meetings with lawmakers and oversaw compromises and... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf office defends 2016-17 budget plan in Capitol hearings HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Governor Wolf cabinet members withstood questions from bipartisan committees in both the state House and Senate on Monday during the first day of hearings on his 2016-17 budget plan. All the meanwhile, a budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year has yet to be... - Fox 43

Wolf begins defense of spending plan in budget hearings HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf's administration on Monday began its defense of its $33.3 billion budget proposal, with the Democratic governor confronting Pennsylvania government's worst budget gridlock in decades and a Republican-controlled Legislature that is hostile to the election-year... - AP

Budget stalemate puts damper on developers' plans for Phila. The Pennsylvania budget stalemate wreaking havoc on Philadelphia's school and social-service finances could soon claim another victim: the city's expanding skyline. Officials in Harrisburg are holding back funds from a program aimed at helping transformative redevelopment projects until the eight-month impasse... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Lines drawn in the sand, Pa. budget process gets underway Budget hearings got off to a testy start in Pennsylvania's Capitol as the Wolf administration defended the governor's spending proposal on Monday, the first day of three weeks of scheduled hearings. The Capitol hasn't fully emerged from last year's budget stalemate over... - Newsworks

Wolf rep, GOP leader spar as budget hearings open HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf's administration began its defense of a $33.3 billion budget proposal Monday, with the Democrat confronting Pennsylvania government's worst budget gridlock in decades and a Republican-controlled legislature hostile to the election-year tax increase he wants... - AP

Administrators Planning for 'Unthinkable Possibility' of No State Appropiation It's no secret that Pennsylvania is struggling through a historic budget impasse that started way back in July. And while many sectors are facing hardships as a result of the budget situation, there may be none in quite as bad shape as education. A pair of Penn State administrators penned a letter addressed to the... - State College News

Frazier OKs another tax anticipation loan if needed If the state budget impasse isn’t resolved before April, the Frazier School District might seek another tax anticipation loan. During a Monday meeting, the school board authorized the administration to obtain a $2 million tax anticipation loan, if needed. Business manager Kevin Mildren said the district obtained a $1.5 million... - Connellsville Daily Courier

February 22 Build budget consensusaround state’s children By Joan Benso While it seems like elected officials in Harrisburg can’t reach consensus on much, there is one topic where agreement can be achieved: children. You might have missed it amidst all the ongoing budget wrangling, but there were some important victories for kids in recent months.... - Scranton Times

Budget work starts (again) in Harrisburg HARRISBURG — The start of budget hearings today will signal a new and likely contentious phase of a political fight that started a year ago. For the next three weeks, members of the House and Senate appropriations committees will grill members of the Wolf administration and other state... - Scranton Times

Budget hearings could be combative HARRISBURG — The start of budget hearings today will signal a new and likely contentious phase of a political fight that started a year ago. For the next three weeks, members of the House and Senate appropriations committees will grill members of the Wolf administration and other state... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Frustration running high over budget By Mike Hanna I am just as frustrated with Harrisburg as you are. Whether some in Harrisburg want to admit it or not, our state is facing a crisis. Both the Independent Fiscal Office and Standard and Poor’s agree, even without restoring funding for education and human services... - State College Centre Daily Times

Editorial: The Wolf at the door in Pa. budget war Tom Wolf, the “new style” of governor, continues to run into some decidedly old problems. Gridlock. It’s something of a Harrisburg tradition. And the election of the Democrat Wolf to replace one-term Republican incumbent Tom Corbett has not changed that. Wolf has been at loggerheads with Republican leaders in the House and... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

What can Tom Wolf do? SITTING IN the gallery above the state House floor listening to Gov. Wolf's budget address two weeks back, I wrote myself a note in the margins of his speech. I wrote, in capital letters, "WHAT NOW?" Two weeks later, I can't find an answer. Nobody seems to have a starter for the now- eight-months-stalled state... - Philadelphia Daily News

Gov. Wolf begins defense of spending plan in budget hearings HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration today will begin defending his $33.3 billion budget proposal to the Republican-controlled Legislature, as the Democrat confronts Pennsylvania government’s worst budget gridlock in decades... - AP

February 21 State budget failure puts universities at risk As leaders of Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities, we are calling for quick and decisive action to address the commonwealth’s failure to fund our schools. Most Pennsylvanians are aware of the state’s continuing budget impasse. What many citizens may not realize is that four of our state’s most... - State College Centre Daily Times

Raise income tax, not property levies Dear Gov. Tom Wolf, While listening to your Feb. 5 interview on the radio regarding the 2016- 17 budget, your remarks on why the state has yet to have a completed 2015-16 budget were very enlightening. But it might help voters better understand the stalemate in Harrisburg if you could elaborate on how local property... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Election might perpetuate state budget fiasco The long-running state budget fight is colliding with an election year in which many lawmakers seek re-election. A look at the election calendar could be useful to determine when the budget fight will reach a climax or enter periods of limbo. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature are... - Scranton Times

Elected officials avoid responsibility, perpetuate crisis There is a saying that once an issue becomes a crisis, there is a movement to solve it. That essentially means that solutions are reactive, which certainly may not be the best approach to moving forward. However, if the problem is solved, it is worth it. An issue facing us has been a crisis for a number of years. Despite this... - Scranton Times

February 19 We must provide for children’s future Editor, Pennsylvania is at a critical crossroads. We can fund our schools and fix our deficit or we will be faced with an additional $1 billion in cuts to our schools. It is time for the legislature to recognize the fiscal problem facing Pennsylvania and work with Gov. Tom Wolf to honestly eliminate the... - Hazleton Standard-Speaker

Taxes should be a last resort, but for Gov. Wolf, they're the first option: Jake Corman By Jake Corman Last week, Gov. Tom Wolf claimed that Pennsylvania's current $1.9 billion budget deficit was an unparalleled crisis that could only be solved by passing enormous tax hikes on Pennsylvania families or enacting draconian cuts to schools and social services.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

David Mekeel: Kids victims of budget standoff Well, this is a mess. Gov. Tom Wolf last week unveiled his newest budget plan. And, like the one before it, the proposal included hefty funding increases for public school districts. Every year that I've worked at the Reading Eagle, I've followed the governor's budget address with a story about education funding.... - Reading Eagle

The hidden costs of Pennsylvania's long-running, seemingly entrenched, budget impasse THE ISSUE The tone of Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s Feb. 9 budget address and the negative responses of Republican legislative leaders did not bode well for a resolution of our state’s budget crisis. The impasse has been fueled by the unyielding positions of both Wolf and the Republican-controlled... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

State budgets comparison shows need for spending restraint in Pa. Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate is an example of divided and dysfunctional government. But the state’s fiscal and political challenges are not unique. Illinois, the only other state without a budget, is a mirror image of Pennsylvania with a Republican governor facing a Legislature controlled by... - Butler Eagle

Hopefully, legislators won't stall Pa.'s Clean Power Plan: PennLive letters Pennsylvania is behind on the budget, but at least plans to cut carbon pollution from power plants are proceeding on schedule. Gov. Tom Wolf has committed to crafting and submitting a state Clean Power Plan to the U.S. EPA by the September deadline. Unfortunately, some legislators want to... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

February 18 Erie School Board approves hiring of government public relations firm ERIE, Pa. -- Erie schools Superintendent Jay Badams warned last week the district could be headed for bankruptcy, which could force the state to take control of the district in the near future. That dire financial forecast is possible, he said, if the way school... - Erie Times-News

February 17 Pennsylvania Working Families calls for action to end state budget impasse Now in the eighth month without a state budget, various groups are demanding that lawmakers get a deal done. One of those is progressive political activists Pennsylvania Working Families. Several members of the group gathered with local school officials Tuesday outside state Rep. Scott Petri's office in Northampton to urge... - Levittown Bucks County Courier Times

Baer: Wolf and Republicans find yet another fight MAYBE THE once-seen-as-mild-mannered Wolfman is baring his fangs a little bit more. Perhaps he who pitched "a different kind of governor" is pitching an old familiar brand of hardball. Could be calling Republicans stupid, their budget "garbage," and suggesting... - Philadelphia Daily News

Agora cyber charter school lays off at least 100 teachers ALLENTOWN — A cybercharter school that serves 8,500 students statewide is placing the blame on Gov. Tom Wolf and the state budget impasse for at least 100 layoffs at the school. Melissa Reese, a spokeswoman for Agora Cyber Charter School based in King of Prussia, Montgomery County, said the school's board of trustees voted... - Allentown Morning Call

Governor Wolf’s proposed budget will rescue critical health services Antoinette Kraus, Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. Governor Wolf’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 makes strategic investments that Pennsylvania’s seniors, children and families need to succeed. Pennsylvania faces a nearly $2-billion-dollar... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Guest Column: Gov. Wolf presents Pa. with a clear choice By Frances Wolf, Times Guest Columnist As my husband, Gov. Tom Wolf, outlined in his address to the General Assembly this past week, we have a choice to make – a choice that has serious implications for the future of Pennsylvania’s schools. And for the future of our state.... - Primos Delaware County Daily and Sunday Times

February 16 Gov. Wolf's policies send Pennsylvanians packing Picture 10 people in a room. After 12 minutes, one walks out. Twelve minutes later, a second person leaves. After just two hours, the room is empty. That's how quickly Pennsylvanians are exiting the state to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Last year alone, we lost one person to another state every 12.5... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gov. Tom Wolf asks Penn State's help in fight for tax increases Gov. Tom Wolf is apparently seeking a bigger army in his fight to "right-size" Pennsylvania's tax rates. And the troops he is trying to press into service are some of the very state aid recipients whose larger appropriations may directly depend on whether some or all of Wolf's $2.7 billion tax increase is approved.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf doubles down on budget embarrassment You would think the embarrassment of an historic state budget deadlock would prompt a change in tactics from Gov. Tom Wolf. - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

The definition of compromise Compromise is defined as “the result of adjustments made by concessions to make a mutual agreement; an amicable agreement to settle differences.” I strongly suggest the Republican House of Representatives in Harrisburg reinsert the word “compromise” back into its vocabulary before they... - Washington Observer-Reporter

Pa. must choose right path to deal with budget crisis Pennsylvania now faces a $2 billion budget deficit. That’s not a Democratic fact or a Republican fact - it’s just a fact. Pennsylvania now faces a $2 billion budget deficit. That’s not a Democratic fact or a Republican fact – it’s just a fact, and it’s supported by Standard and Poor’s, an independent rating... - York Daily

Dataplace: state budget $2.5 billion The amount that Pennsylvania collected in General Fund revenue in January, which was $6.2 million, or 0.3 percent, more than anticipated. Fiscal year-to-date General Fund collections total $15.9 billion, which is $9.2 million, or 0.1 percent, above the estimate.... - Reading Eagle

Legislators should pass budget now Re: Feb. 11's Pocono Record headline: "Rader, Scavello support food pantry -- Legislators surprised at the number of needy." I try not to get political in my rants, but my frustration level is way too high. Under what rock have our legislators been hiding since the economy... - Pocono Record

Casino tax would hit Sands hardest BETHLEHEM — For the past six years, Sands Casino in Bethlehem has developed a reputation for giving away thousands of little plastic cards loaded with free slot-machine money each day. It's a policy that's helped make the Sands Pennsylvania's biggest draw for... - Allentown Morning Call

Dried up rainy-day fund draws a lot of criticism When the state budget impasse began, the Legislature had $100 million socked away to weather the storm. Like most other state offices and agencies that depend on tax dollars, the General Assembly couldn’t count on money coming in to pay staff and buy office paper during its budget showdown with Gov. Tom Wolf.... - New Castle News

February 15 Later always better for politicians Given that this is a legislative election year, there is little reason to believe that political posturing will yield to math regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s fiscal year 2017 budget proposal. Mr. Wolf’s budget address Tuesday was unique in Pennsylvania history. He offered a new budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning July 1, even... - Scranton Times

Drug program a casualty of budget stalemate Berks County, Pa. One of the latest casualties of the state budget stalemate is a competitive program that was designed to address the heroin and opiate crisis. Last April, anticipating its first big funding increase in years, the state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs asked county-level drug treatment... - Reading Eagle

A few things the Ill. and Pa. budget crises have in common - and a few things they don't: Monday Morning Coffee Good Monday Morning, Fellow Seekers. We've noted more than once before that Pennsylvania and Illinois are the only two states in the union without a completed budget. And that got us to wondering, why is that? What's driving the longest deadlocks in these 50 states?... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

The budget ball is in the Legislature’s court Pennsylvania is getting tax increases. It's just whether they're coming from us, or from drillers. So far, they've come from us. I think Wolf's buget was genius. After the Republicans soundly rejected his severance tax - a tax that mainly would be collected from people... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

The path to a bright future for Pa. kids Frances Wolf As my husband outlined in his address to the General Assembly this past week, we have a choice to make — a choice that has serious implications for the future of Pennsylvania’s schools. And for the future of our state. We can choose to ignore the $2 billion structural deficit that Pennsylvania currently faces which will... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Wolf hungry for tax revenue The governor's 2016-17 budget plan luckily contained no tax increases but his “revenue enhancements” were quite noteworthy. Among those revenue enhancements was an expansion in the sales tax to include many services used every day by all of us, such as homeowners insurance, things... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

February 12 Pa. must choose right path to deal with budget crisis Pennsylvania now faces a $2 billion budget deficit. That’s not a Democratic fact or a Republican fact - it’s just a fact. Pennsylvania now faces a $2 billion budget deficit. That’s not a Democratic fact or a Republican fact – it’s just a fact, and it’s supported by Standard and Poor’s, an independent rating... - York Daily

Pennsylvania treasurer race may hold key in budget standoff This year’s race for state treasurer may be the most crucial of the 2016 election. No, wait! Don’t go! Come back! OK, it’s not as if the state treasurer has access to nuclear launch codes. But the outcome of this year’s treasurer’s race may tip the balance of power in an already topsy-turvy Harrisburg budget fight between... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Compared with other states, Gov. Tom Wolf's budget comes in on the high side America could now look at Pennsylvania and say: 'Hey, Big Spender." Because setting aside for a moment all the policy differences on what's a "want" and what's a "need" and whether tax increases are required, here's a truism about the state budget proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Two incentives to get Pa. budget passed Here are two incentives to end the political inability to pass a budget for the state of Pennsylvania: 1. Any elected official should not get paid until the budget is finalized. 2. Taxpayers should have a mechanism not to pay any state taxes as long as the stalemate goes on.... - Allentown Morning Call

With Pa. in crisis, we must pick the path to a better future: Tom Wolf By Tom Wolf Our commonwealth is in crisis. This crisis threatens our future. Pennsylvania now faces a $2 billion budget deficit. That's not a Democratic fact or a Republican fact -- it's just a fact, and it's supported by Standard and Poor's, an independent rating agency.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

February 11 Counties tell legislators for next budget: Never again County commissioners across the state gave the same message to legislators as they begin the process for the 2016-17 budget: Never again. Commissioner Erick Coolidge said that message was delivered at a round of meetings that the County Commissioner Association of Pennsylvania held with... - Tioga Publishing

Bickering won't resolve state budget impasse It is the responsibility of the government to provide central services to the people, in this residents of Pennsylvania. Police protection, good roads, education of our children, a justice system to uphold the law just to name a few. Seven months without a balanced state budget is ridiculous. In the... - Beaver County Times

TAXES ON GAS, CABLE, CIGARETTES Highlights of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending plan for the 2016-17 budget year that starts July 1: THE BIG PICTURE: • Increases spending through the state’s main bank account to nearly $33.3 billion. That is a two-year increase of $4.3 billion, or 14 percent,... - Lehighton Times News

Force lawmakers to do jobs on budget A plan to prevent budget delays New law to pass: 1. At 30 days, all parties to meet at least four hours a day five days a week on budget (holidays excluded). 2. At 60 days, all parties to meet at least four hours a day seven days a week on budget (holidays included).... - York Daily

Editorial: Wolf's budget dead on arrival; stalemate will continue The Issue: The governor proposes a spending guide with an 11 percent retroactive income tax hike. Our Opinion: There is no way that is going to make it through the Legislature. As Gov. Tom Wolf was preparing to present his proposed budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year, lawmakers in Harrisburg were debating whether his... - Reading Eagle

Nonprofits worry about ongoing state government gridlock HARRISBURG — During the state’s budget impasse, many nonprofit human service agencies across Pennsylvania cut services, laid people off, took out loans, and generally struggled, cut off from state funds for nearly six months. And after Tuesday’s budget presentation by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Severance tax on shale gas still in Wolf's budget The structure of Gov. Tom Wolf's latest attempt to increase taxes on shale gas production might open the door to consideration by Republican lawmakers, a key GOP critic said Wednesday, though industry leaders remain dead-set against the move. The proposed budget that Wolf announced this week contains a 6.5 percent... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

State gov’t miserably fails mission In the wake of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf's proposed 2016-17 budget address, commonwealth residents should be asking why neither the governor nor the General Assembly is actively seeking a "stepped" solution to the state's approximately $2 billion deficit. - Altoona Mirror

Pennsylvania stuck in historic budget gridlock Harrisburg, Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf warned lawmakers on Tuesday that Pennsylvania’s finances are a ticking time bomb amid a record-long budget gridlock, as he sent them a spending proposal for the coming fiscal year with no full plan in place for the year that began back in July.... - Waynesboro Record Herald

It's not enough to pass a budget, Harrisburg's culture has to change: Andy Dinniman By Andy Dinniman The state budget impasse, now in its eighth month, is symptomatic of what's wrong with Harrisburg. In turn, it offers an opportunity to finally address real and long- standing problems in the legislative and budget process. CROPPED DINNIMAN HEADSHOT ART.jpgState Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-Chester... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Makeover of tax law needed in Pa. State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff recently wrote an editorial explaining the legislature’s efforts to present a balanced budget, etc. I have different views. Balancing the budget is important, but the gorilla in the room is revenue generation. According to the 2010 census, the state’s population grew... - State College Centre Daily Times

House moves to restore prisons money vetoed by Wolf HARRISBURG, Pa. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says he will veto legislation passed by the state House of Representatives to restore nearly $1 billion for state prisons... - AP

Lawmakers rip budget A caustic shellacking of state lawmakers and a $33.3 billion 2016-17 state budget proposal by Gov. Tom Wolf did not sit well Tuesday with legislators representing Butler County. In a confrontational address that blamed a looming $2 billion structural deficit on “dime store magic tricks” used by the Legislature when... - Butler Eagle

February 10 Highlights of the 2016-17 budget proposal Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing several new taxes to raise an estimated $2.7 billion in new revenues. Among them: ¦ Boosting the personal income tax rate from 3.07 percent to 3.4 percent; this would yield an estimated $1.36 billion for the state next fiscal year ¦ Applying the sales tax to basic cable television, movie theater... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Highlights of Gov. Tom Wolf’s second state budget proposal HARRISBURG Highlights of Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s spending plan for the 2016-17 budget year that starts July 1:.. - AP

Pennsylvania stuck in historic budget gridlock HARRISBURG Gov. Tom Wolf warned lawmakers on Tuesday that Pennsylvania’s finances are a ticking time bomb amid a record-long budget gridlock, as he sent them a spending proposal for the coming fiscal year with no full plan in place for the year that began back in July... - AP

What Now for Budget Impasse? HARRISBURG -- If there is impending financial doom for Pennsylvania -- that "ticking time bomb" reference in the governor's budget address -- lawmakers appear to be more entrenched than ever. Governor Tom Wolf's words reverberated throughout the Capitol rotunda in... - WNEP

Wolf proposes $32.7B budget for 2016-17, warns of 'time bomb' deficit HARRISBURG — Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a $32.7 billion state budget Tuesday that would raise the personal income tax from 3.07 percent to 3.4 percent and expand the sales tax base to boost education spending and close a deficit expected to hit $2 billion in 2017.... - Pittsburgh Tribune- Review

Pennsylvania budget crisis is a product of short-term thinking The Beatles once famously sang that you've “got to admit it's getting better, it's getting better all the time.” Budgeters in Pennsylvania, unfortunately, are facing the opposite situation. Regardless of whether lawmakers are willing to admit it, things are getting worse. And they are getting worse all the time.... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Gov. Wolf's budget address: Six takeaways Gov. Tom Wolf delivered an unusual budget address to state lawmakers in unusual times Tuesday morning. He virtually ignored his $32.7 billion spending plan for the 2016-17 fiscal year. He still awaits full passage of the 2015-16 budget and referred to the failure to secure an agreement. Wolf signed off on a partial budget of... - Reading Eagle

Text of Gov. Tom Wolf's budget address Harrisburg, PA The following is Governor Wolf's 2016-2017 Budget Address as prepared. I. A Commonwealth in crisis TODAY'S SPONSOR: Lieutenant Governor Stack, Speaker Turzai, President Scarnati. . . Leader Corman, Leader Costa, Leader Reed, Leader Dermody, members of the... - Reading Eagle

Gov. Tom Wolf proposes new tax on cable television, movie tickets and more Gov. Tom Wolf's $33.3 billion budget proposal for 2016-17 contains a slew of tax hikes he introduced a year ago, but has yet to see passed by the state Legislature, plus new ones. Wolf is seeking the tax hikes, which he says will generate $2.7 billion, to close a $2 billion deficit that state is facing.... - Allentown Morning Call

Commissioners address budget, offer negative assessment of reassessment at State of the County event HOPEWELL TWP. -- County commissioners Tuesday outlined their vision for Beaver County, one that faces challenges that include making cuts to balance a 2016 budget, dealing with a lawsuit that seeks to compel a property reassessment and finding ways to encourage future economic... - Beaver County Times

Wolf's budget has 'no chance,' GOP leader says HARRISBURG - Pitching many of the same ideas that led to this fiscal year's lingering budget impasse, Gov. Wolf on Tuesday unveiled a $33.3 billion spending plan for the next year that would raise more than $2.7 billion from new or increased taxes to close a gaping deficit and boost public... - Philadelphia Inquirer

With Wolf's budget address, we're back to Square one, squared: Editorial Tuesday's state budget developments could best be summarized as one step forward, two steps back. Except for that part about the step forward. On a day that state residents hoped to hear some evidence that, after seven-plus months' worth of sniping and intransigence surround state... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Another Pa. budget that'll never be NOT TO UNDULY alarm anyone, but it appears that Pennsylvania never will have a budget again, at least not one from Democratic Gov. Wolf and the current Republican legislature. Wolf on Tuesday growled at lawmakers, gave them what-for, saying, "Get back to work." Then, close to employing the royal we, said that if they sent him... - Philadelphia Daily News

Gov. Wolf warns of fiscal crisis in Pa. HARRISBURG -- Gov. Tom Wolf warned of an immediate fiscal crisis if he and the state legislature fail to come up with a responsible budget. “This was no act of God,” he said Tuesday in his budget address to the General Assembly. “This is a hole we dug for ourselves in... - Chambersburg Public Opinion

Wolf outlines choice as budget talk looms HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said Pennsylvanians face stark choices to deal with a fiscal crisis on the eve of his second state budget address. Mr. Wolf said the budget he will propose today will meet the state’s “rightful share of the responsibility” to fund public schools and... - Scranton Times

Gov. Wolf: Budget crisis is 'time bomb' He talked about taxes, education and urgency. There were references to a potential $2 billion budget deficit. And Pennsylvania's finances could become "a time bomb," Gov. Tom Wolf said, if state lawmakers fail to seriously tackle his $33.3 billion budget proposal for 2016-17 -- a package that was unveiled Tuesday even though the... - Erie Times-News

Gov. Tom Wolf's budget for 2016-17 contains necessary funding hike for schools, but the tone of his budget address didn't help the cause THE ISSUE Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf gave his budget address to the Republican-controlled state Legislature on Tuesday. Wolf’s budget for 2016-17 calls for nearly $33.3 billion in spending, and more than $2.7 billion in new or increased taxes. Like last year, Wolf is seeking to raise... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

Wolf pitches tax increases for $33 billion spending plan HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf is asking lawmakers to boost the personal income tax and expand the sales tax to pay for the state's current budget and its next spending plan. Wolf also wants a new tax on natural gas drilling to cover costs. Wolf is presenting his plan to lawmakers Tuesday morning.... - Johnstown Tribune-Democrat

'We are facing a trainwreck': Gov. Tom Wolf discusses state budget with Pennsylvanians online Gov. Tom Wolf took questions on property taxes, education and more during a Facebook town hall Tuesday hours after he gave a fiery 2016-17 budget address. The Democratic governor pulled no punches as he answered questions and doled out blame for why a state budget was not passed last year. Wolf spoke... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf pushes for more education funding Gov. Tom Wolf is pushing for increases in education funding for this year and next. Gov. Tom Wolf painted a gloomy scenario for schools, if a state deficit is left to grow to $2 billion. It could mean a billion dollars in education cuts, he said, putting thousands of teachers and other school professionals out of work, cutting... - York Daily

Gov. Wolf challenges GOP with his second state budget HARRISBURG — With his first Pennsylvania budget still unfinished, Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday delivered a combative second budget address, telling Republican legislators that if they won’t send him a sound proposal, they should find a different job. After a year of division at the Capitol over Mr. Wolf’s first call to... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Senate GOP leaders blast Wolf's budget Republican legislative leaders blasted Gov. Tom Wolf's budget proposal Tuesday. Wolf has introduced a $32.7 billion budget proposal for the 2016-17 fiscal year. It would raise the state income tax, impose a tax on natural gas drilling and expand the number of goods subject to the sales tax.... - Reading Eagle

Despite budget fight, an effort focused on students By N. Aaron Troodler Pennsylvania has long been a pioneer in school choice, providing tax- credit programs that enable tens of thousands of low- and middle-income families to place their children in the most appropriate educational settings. But the state's budget stalemate threw these crucial programs into a dangerous... - Philadelphia Inquirer

February 9 Wolf to propose new budget as stalemate lingers over current spending plan When Gov. Tom Wolf strides into the House chamber around 11:30 a.m. today, he will be in the unusual position of proposing a budget for next year while the budget for the current year — already seven months done — remains incomplete. Mr. Wolf is about to deliver a second budget proposal with a familiar theme... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pennsylvania sets new budget-day mark in historic gridlock HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania government will set a modern state record for gridlock when Gov. Tom Wolf sends lawmakers a new spending plan and warns them that they must fix the deficit and fully fund schools, or force schools to close and local taxes to increase... - AP

Budget battle all too surreal Every state tries to emphasize what makes it unique but, in this case, Pennsylvania should try to keep it quiet. Today, for the first time ever, a Pennsylvania governor will make his annual budget address for the next fiscal year while the state does not have a budget for the current year.... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

Wolf to unveil new Pennsylvania budget proposal today Proposals to merge state departments, talk of financial deficits and a renewed call for new taxes to fund education and other state programs are among the details local legislators and others expect to hear from Gov. Tom Wolf this morning. The Democrat will unveil a roughly $32 billion budget proposal for fiscal... - Erie Times-News

No budget yet, Wolf still to unveil spending plan for next year HARRISBURG - Gov. Wolf on Tuesday will unveil his proposed budget for the next fiscal year, even though he and the Republican-controlled legislature remain mired in a stubborn stalemate over a spending plan for this one. In introducing his plan in a speech to a joint session of the legislature,... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Despite 2016 budget not yet being passed, Gov. Tom Wolf is focusing on 2017 budget WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Tom Wolf will hold a news conference Tuesday to discuss his budget proposal — for 2017. As required by the administrative code, which says the governor has to deliver an annual budget by the end of the first full week of February, Wolf will discuss next year’s budget some 224 days after his first... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

Gov. Tom Wolf faces test with new state budget Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will unveil his second spending plan today with the 2015-16 state budget proposal still under construction - leading the state into uncharted territory. The York County businessman promised a fresh start for Pennsylvania in his first budget proposal. He spoke about how he was going to win support from... - Reading Eagle

Letter from Gov. Wolf: We have a choice to make We have a very tough set of choices to make with this year’s budget. Our commonwealth is in crisis. To the people of Pennsylvania: We have a very tough set of choices to make with this year’s budget. Our commonwealth is in crisis, and we stand at a crossroad.... - York Daily

Questions grow in Pennsylvania's confusing budget situation HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania lawmakers returned to the Capitol on Monday with growing questions over the state government's increasingly confusing budget situation, and with no answers on how they will solve it... - AP

Stalled Pa. budget casts shadow over Wolf's new plan HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Wolf’s new budget assumes he and Republicans can agree on a spending plan for the current year, finally reaching an elusive compromise that packages long- stalled conservative aims to offset the political damage of tax increases. It’s a big assumption, and skeptical lawmakers say too many pieces of... - Sharon Herald

Eichelberger: Pa. Gov. Wolf spending 'potentially illegal' HARRISBURG — Members of a joint Senate panel on Monday grilled Treasury Department officials about why the state will release money to pay agency bills when the Legislature hasn't approved final spending numbers as required by the state constitution. Several senators said doing so tips the “balance of power” toward... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Wolf outliines choice as budget talk looms HARRISBURG — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said Pennsylvanians face stark choices to deal with a fiscal crisis on the eve of his second state budget address. Mr. Wolf said the budget he will propose today will meet the state’s “rightful share of the responsibility” to fund public schools and... - Scranton Times

What is expected in Gov. Tom Wolf's new budget Here are four things we know will be in Gov. Tom Wolf's second budget proposal. 1. Increased funding for public education. TODAY'S SPONSOR: The Democrat called for a $200 million increase to basic education subsidies. Wolf said the new investment is in addition to the $377 million... - Reading Eagle

February 8 Baer: It's Pennsylvania budget time (again): Can you say, 'Yay'? YOU KNOW WHY they didn't want to do a budget presentation last Tuesday, right? It was Groundhog Day. Too fitting for Harrisburg: same stuff, over and over again. So it's this Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, which is also appropriate: the day before a season of ashes and sacrifice.... - Philadelphia Daily News

The Rundown: Gov. Wolf introduces his second budget this week Wolf to unveil his second budget. On Tuesday, Gov. Tom Wolf is slated to introduce a new state budget for the next fiscal year. Of course, he has still yet to see the full adoption of the budget for the current fiscal year. After months of wrangling with GOP lawmakers, Wolf... - Reading Eagle

Wolf indicates no priorities change in next budget request February 8, 2016 Indications are that Gov. Tom Wolf’s next budget request – due Tuesday – will have at least one thing in common with the first proposal, which is still in limbo. more »» - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Time for Gov. Wolf to issue a new budget plan without the first one settled HARRISBURG - This time last year, talk in the Capitol swirled around how newly elected Gov. Wolf's first budget was going to be bold and controversial. It was to be an early test of whether the mild-mannered Democratic governor with the polished business resume and the famously unpredictable... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Pa. budget impasse burden for counties HARRISBURG — Even for state aid recipients included in the partial $23 billion state budget, the pain of going six months in 2015 without aid due to the ongoing budget stalemate is still being felt. The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania demonstrated that last... - Pottsville Republican and Evening Herald

Questions grow in Pennsylvania's confusing budget situation HARRISBURG, Pa. Pennsylvania lawmakers are returning to the Capitol with growing questions over the state government's increasingly confusing budget situation. Senate Democratic leader Jay Costa told a Pennsylvania Cable Network interviewer Monday that it's unclear how lawmakers will move forward... - AP

'Erosion of trust' in government as budget impasse hits day 223 At the beginning of a new state budget season, Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican Legislature remain entrenched in their positions negotiating the last one. It’s an ideological standoff with no end in sight. And on day 223 of the stalemate, compromise appears as elusive as it did in July with each... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

February 7 Wolf to float new budget plan amid fight over current one Gov. Tom Wolf is scheduled to release his 2016-17 budget proposal for the fiscal year that begins July 1... - AP

Wolf calls for an ‘honest budget,’ tax increase Eleven weary months later, Gov. Tom Wolf is about to deliver a second budget proposal that he says will narrowly focus on boosting school funding while raising taxes to pay for automatic cost increases. “There are no other issues,” Mr. Wolf said last week during an... - Pittsburgh Post- Gazette

For his 2nd budget, Gov. Wolf needs to hit the 'reset' button: Dennis Roddy Gov. Tom Wolf has a tricky gig in the theater of politics this week, brazenly unveiling a second budget while the first remains frozen in political amber. Dennis Roddy.jpegDennis Roddy (PennLive file) Even in the best of climates, a budget speech has a certain aroma of... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's budget proposes merging some state agencies to save money The budget proposal Gov. Tom Wolf will present Tuesday will include two mergers intended to save money and improve the service of related missions. Mr. Wolf said Friday that he would renew his call to merge the Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole into a single agency.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

State Rep. Mike Turzai: Gov. Wolf’s spending plans sap too much money from your pocket Three fiscally responsible budgets for 2015-16 were placed on the governor’s desk, none requiring increases in personal income tax or sales tax. Each budget funded public education at record levels. Further, each fully funded every core state government function including human services and... - Wilkes-Barre Times Leader

February 5 Bracing for the budget: Pennsylvanians wonder if we're headed for Wolf War II? A recent Franklin & Marshall College poll carried what might be alarming news for Pennsylvania's elected officials at the start of an election year. Respondents, battered by scandal and unending budget gridlock, said by more than a 3:1 ratio that the state is headed in the wrong direction.... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Wolf's budget proposes merging some state agencies to save money HARRISBURG -- Gov. Tom Wolf said today that the state budget he proposes Tuesday will include two mergers intended to save money and improve the service of related missions. Mr. Wolf will renew his call to merge the Department of Corrections and the Board of Probation and Parole into a single agency. A bill to combine the... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Gov. Wolf Previews Part Of His Budget For Next Year During Phila. Visit PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The current year’s Pennsylvania budget is still incomplete. But in Mantua Thursday, Governor Wolf announced plans to boost funding for early childhood education. Speaking at the West Philadelphia Community Center in Mantua, Governor Wolf... - KYW News Radio 1060

Wolf to seek another boost for pre-kindergarten programs HARRISBURG, Pa. Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says he wants a $60 million boost to state- subsidized pre-kindergarten programs in Pennsylvania next year... - AP

Berks commissioners grow weary of state budget impasse Reading, PA With the 2015 state budget proposal still unfinished, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is scheduled to unveil his next state spending plan on Tuesday to a Republican-controlled Legislature that remains soundly opposed to the new revenue he requests. And Berks County leaders are growing restless sitting on the sidelines.... - Reading Eagle

Students, faculty to rally Monday for more state higher-education funding About 50 students and faculty from Millersville University will journey by bus to Harrisburg on Monday for a rally at the Capitol to push for increased state higher education funding. They will be joined by hundreds of their peers from the other 13 universities in the State System of Higher Education.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal

February 4 Gov. Wolf pushes spending on early childhood ed Standing in front of a toy kitchen in a Mantua preschool classroom, Gov. Wolf said Thursday he wants to spend $60 million more on early childhood education in 2017. Wolf made the announcement alongside Mayor Kenney, whose ambitious education agenda includes a push for universal prekindergarten that would... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Wanna wager on Wolf's taxes? Wanna bet? If you're a good guesser you could pick up some quick cash by guessing what Gov. Wolf's new state budget proposal would mean in tax increases to the average family of four. The conservative Commonwealth Foundation is running an online contest, "Guess the Wolf Tax," with whoever comes closet winning a $250 Visa gift... - Philadelphia Daily News

February 3 Baer: A new look at our (very) average state AS GOV. WOLF prepares to go back to the well (or the pit) of the legislature with a new (?) budget plan, it seems a good time to take an independent look at the state of our state. You know Wolf's view: education crisis, fiscal crisis, need new taxes to avoid a "train-wreck" crisis.... - Philadelphia Daily News

Wolf: Give schools $200 million more in 2016-17 Gov. Wolf said Tuesday that he will propose boosting funding for public education by $200 million when he unveils his budget next week for the new fiscal year. The problem: he and the Republican-controlled legislature have yet to reach agreement on education spending - or even a final budget, for that matter -... - Philadelphia Inquirer

Gov. Wolf wants $200M more for public schools HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says he'll ask the Republican-controlled Legislature for another $200 million for public schools next year, while he still fights for more money in this year's budget... - AP

Wolf asking for $577 million more for schools but some say that's not enough Gov. Tom Wolf apparently is a believer in not accepting "no" for an answer especially when it comes to education funding. He announced on Tuesday that he is standing by his demand for a bigger increase in basic education funding in the still-unfinished 2015-16 budget... - Harrisburg Patriot-News

Rep. Bryan Cutler to hold town hall to review Wolf’s next budget address Lancaster County’s highest-ranking Republican state lawmaker will hold a town hall event this month in Paradise Township. State Rep. Bryan Cutler, of Peach Bottom, will answer questions about what’s happening in Harrisburg and Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget address for the 2016-17 fiscal year, which is scheduled for Feb. 9.... - Lancaster Intelligencer Journal