State Budget Process Begins

Gov. Tom Wolf on Tuesday unveiled his fourth budget proposal, which calls for $33 billion in spending, about $1 billion more than the current year. Some of my colleagues and I are concerned about the overall price tag, but are pleased it does not contain any broad-based sales or income tax increases.

The governor is asking for additional investments in education, workforce development, and career and technical education, and to continue addressing the opioid epidemic.

Hearings on the budget proposal are slated to begin the week of Feb. 20.  The governor’s budget proposal is comparable to an opening offer in a months-long negotiation process.  The House and Senate now will work together to identify ways to improve the governor’s original proposal before approving a final budget bill.

More information about the proposal is available at PaHouseGOP.com.