Passage of 2013-14 Pennsylvania State Budget

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a 2013-14 state budget this week.  The $28.4 billion budget increases spending by $719 million, or 2.6 percent, over the previous budget.  On the plus side, this budget does not raise any taxes.  However, there are many shortcomings for essential programs and services in this plan which is the main reason why I voted against the measure.  These shortcomings are on top of the drastic cuts so many programs have already faced in previous budgets under this administration. 

Over the last few months, I have heard from hundreds of my constituents about what programs are important to them.  Although the Senate Democrats’ voices were heard with a lot of funding restored for these key services and programs, there were also many losers in this year’s 2013-14 budget.  I believe this spending plan does not do enough for financially strapped schools and individuals who need assistance, nor does it stimulate job creation initiatives. 

Every child is entitled to a good education.  We must provide students with the tools and knowledge at an early age to set these young individuals up for a successful and bright future.  Unfortunately, the 2013-14 spending plan does little for students and schools.  Although the budget increases the allocation to basic education by more than $122 million, over the past two years, the governor has cut nearly $1 billion from education spending. 

The Accountability Block Grant, which provides support for pre-kindergarten, class size reduction, and tutoring remains flat funded at $100 million for the 2013-14 fiscal year.  To put this amount into perspective, the block grant allocation in 2010-11 was over $254 million.  Even more alarming is that the dozens of school districts across the state that are considered “distressed” will not be seeing an earmark of extra funding in this spending plan.  How can we turn our backs on these economically hard-hit school districts that have already faced deep cuts and are barely surviving?

Institutions of higher education ($1.2 billion), community colleges ($212 million) and grants to students ($344 million) will see flat level funding under the 2013-14 budget. 

Other areas of the budget that maintain or saw increased funding included:

·         Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - $16.3 million

·         Council on the Arts - $886,000

·         State Food Purchase Program - $17.4 million

·         Farmers Market Food Coupons - $2 million

·         Public Library Subsidy - $53.5 million

·         Library Services for the Visually Impaired and Disabled - $2.56 million

·         Services for Children with Special Needs - $1.5 million

·         Children’s Health Insurance - $9.4 million increase

·         Long Term Care under Medical Assistance - $67.6 million increase

·         Autism Intervention Services - $2.5 million increase

·         Child Care Services - $14.3 million increase

·         Services to Persons with Disabilities - $26 million increase

·         Department of Public Welfare budget - $333 million increase

Some areas of concern under the 2013-14 spending plan include:

·         State Parks - $20 million cut

·         State Forests - $5 million cut

·         Home and Community Based Services under Medical Assistance - $40.6 million cut

·         Community Based Intellectual Disabilities Services - $305,000 cut

One of the greatest apprehensions I have under this budget is the insufficient funding for proven job-creation initiatives and economic development programs such as tax credits.  The Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, which ensures Pennsylvania companies and entrepreneurs have all of the tools they need to build globally competitive technology companies in our state will once again receive flat level funding.  More alarming is that the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which administers stimulus packages and invests in Pennsylvania’s economic growth was actually cut by more than $7.5 million under this budget. 

Furthermore, the only significant job training program supported by Governor Corbett, Keystone Works, will be seeing a reduction in its allocation by $1.5 million.  With Pennsylvania’s unemployment at 7.6 percent, our state can’t afford to not invest additional funding to proven successful initiatives.  

The 2013-14 state budget is not fiscally responsible and has misguided priorities.  The spending plan takes away from the human needs, inadequately invests in public education and lacks opportunities to invest in the working class while at the same time failing to close corporate tax loopholes or appropriately taxing drilling in the Marcellus Shale.  Instead, this administration wasted valuable time advocating for pet projects like giving Pennsylvanians access to more booze.  The budget does not address or meet the needs of so many of our residents and once again moves our state in the wrong direction.