Senate Appropriations Committee members raised concerns about the level of spending in Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget, inefficiencies in state government, and the potential consequences of irresponsible budgeting during today’s budget hearings. [Read More]
Senate Appropriations Committee members used today’s budget hearings with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and presidents of several universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) to highlight the negative impacts of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s energy policies, and ways to strengthen post‑secondary educational institutions. [Read More]
Serious concerns were raised about PennDOT’s questionable management of public transit and infrastructure projects during a budget hearing with the Senate Appropriations Committee today, with lawmakers pressing the agency not only on project oversight but also on the growth of funding held in certain accounts and the lack of transparency surrounding how those dollars are being spent. [Read More]
Growing prison costs, and the economic benefits of eliminating the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in Pennsylvania and improvements to the state’s permitting process were discussed during budget hearings with the Department of Corrections, the Pennsylvania Parole Board, and the Department of Environmental Protection today. [Read More]
Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee raised concerns about the growing cost of Medicaid and other entitlement programs and how to identify and eliminate fraud during a budget hearing today with the Department of Human Services. [Read More]
The cost of security upgrades for Gov. Shapiro’s private residence and his use of the State Police and other taxpayer-funded resources were scrutinized by members of the Senate Appropriations Committee during budget hearings with the Department of General Services and the Pennsylvania State Police today. [Read More]
A joint public hearing of the Senate Education Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee reviewed the Total Experience Learning Program today, which leads students in experience-based learning activities and trains teachers in new methods to improve student outcomes. [Read More]
NOVEMBER 2023 Highlights Total General Fund tax revenues were $118.6 million, or 3.9%, above the monthly estimate. Total General Fund revenue collections for the first four months of the fiscal year are short of estimate by $47.5 million, or 0.4%. Personal income tax exceeded estimate for the month of October by $35.6 million, or 2.8%, but remains below estimate on the fiscal year by $77 million, or 1.5%. Consumer spending remains stagnant, as sales and use tax collections failed to meet estimate for the fourth consecutive month in the fiscal year. [Read More]
September 2023 Highlights General Fund revenue collections of $2.9 billion in August were below the monthly estimate by $27.1 million, or 0.9%. For the 2023-24 Fiscal Year to date, total General Fund revenues are $27.2 million, or 0.5%, lower than the Official Revenue Estimate through the month of August. New collective bargaining agreements with the […] [Read More]
August 2023 Highlights Total General Fund revenues were $185.3 million, or 6.9%, higher than last year at this time. General Fund tax revenue was $129.1 million, or 4.9%, more than last year. Corporate net income tax collections were $31.3 million, or 20.8%, higher than July 2022 collections. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Revenues Off to a Good […] [Read More]
