Governor Tom Wolf delivered a short budget address in early February unveiling a plan that included additional funding for schools, social services, jobs training, and pension obligations, largely through the imposition of a Marcellus Shale natural gas severance tax. His proposal would also increase revenues through additional income tax collections and reduced spending on human services by raising the minimum wage from $7.25 to $12 an hour. As would be expected in an election year, the speech had strong bipartisan undertones, and Governor Wolf did not call for any new broad-based tax increases.
Since then, the state’s Senate and House Appropriations Committees have been holding budget hearings with state department officials and interested parties, and will continue to do so into March. Upon completing the hearings, state legislators will return to Session to begin budget negotiations in anticipation of the June 30 budget deadline.
Since then, the state’s Senate and House Appropriations Committees have been holding budget hearings with state department officials and interested parties, and will continue to do so into March. Upon completing the hearings, state legislators will return to Session to begin budget negotiations in anticipation of the June 30 budget deadline.
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