This is news! Pennsylvania will have a budget on time for the first time in years! The new budget will be $28 BILLION dollars.
Overall spending was increased less than 1% and no increase in sales tax or state income tax. Guess Harrisburg finally got the message!
Pennsylvania is expecting to receive $2.7 billion in federal economic stimulus money. Without this money further cuts and tax increases would be necessary.
Spending was increased for healthcare and education.
Agriculture, conservation & natural resources, labor and industry, environmental protection, libraries, the governor’s office, state parks and state health care centers had their budgets cut between 6.9% – 11.7%.
The new fiscal year starts tomorrow, July 1st.