Governor Corbett's Budget Proposal
Governor Tom Corbett gives his budget proposal to a joint session of the House and Senate on the House floor at the Capitol. 02/05/2013 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com
(Photo by Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com)
avoids tax increases and delivers less pain than his previous two spending proposals.
This year, few areas are truly designated as losers. Some programs fared better than others, but this is a budget with more money for more areas than Corbett has proposed previously. Corbett's plan would raise state spending by 2.4 percent.
Call it a by-product of an improved economy or an eye toward re-election.
PennLive's staff writers have pored through the governor's spending plan examining its impact on everything from public schools to state parks.
Here's a quick look at the areas that fared better and worse in the budget, with links to stories for more details on what the governor's plans mean to you.
THE WINNERS
School districts get an additional $90 million in aid, a 1.7 percent increase. Special education aid is flat.
Tax cuts and tax credit programs remain part of the governor's focus, but some reforms won't kick in until next year.
: There is more money for seniors, those with disabilities, and people with mental illness. But there's no commitment to expanding Medicaid as some had desired.
The budget would provide for another 290 state troopers. Something to watch: more than 1,200 troopers can retire at the end of June.
State prisons get an additional $57 million in aid. The administration is closing two prisons to curb costs.
They get a bit more money, nearly $1 million more. Park advocates would like more, but in tight times, the park system is a winner.
: A slight bump in funding is nonetheless welcome here, supporters say.
BREAKING EVEN
Upside: no increases in income or sales taxes. But lifting the cap on the oil company franchise tax - a key element in the plan to raise more money for road repairs - could lead to higher gas prices.
The governor has put forth a much-desired plan to pour new money for roads and bridges. An open question: Will motorists face higher prices at the pump?
: Higher education gets flat funding in Corbett's budget, easing fears of more cuts. The governor is hoping college presidents limit tuition increases.
Workers would get raises but face tough choices in pension changes.
: Farmland preservation and fairs get a boost, but food marketing and research programs take a hit.
: Flat funding for libraries, which is something of a disappointment to library officials who have endured cuts in recent years.
The struggling city doesn't get any extra help in the governor's budget. Aid for fire protection is flat at $2.5 million.
The state Senate and state House of Representatives receive no extra funding.
THE
LOSERS
There's less money for conservation districts, which teach good management strategies for water conservation and other areas.
Managers:
They would have to work more hours under Corbett's spending plan.
Revenue employees
: More than 170 workers in the state Department of Revenue could lose jobs with the
.
Liquor store workers
: The governor wants to
, and is trying to get support for the idea by using money to aid public schools. The union for state store workers pledges a vigorous fight, and some lawmakers are skeptical of the plan.
Reporting by Jan Murphy, Charles Thompson, Donald Gilliland, David Wenner, John Luciew, Ivey DeJesus, Sue Gleiter, Jeff Frantz and Nick Malawskey.
(This post has been updated from an earlier version to include budget details on the environment and the Legislature.)