pa-budget-2019

Read all of the Capital-Star’s budget week coverage in one place

BY: - June 29, 2019

With the final votes out of the way, and the ink from Gov. Tom Wolf’s pen drying on the finished documents, another Pennsylvania budget season is in the books. And since it’s the Capital-Star’s first-ever budget season, we thought it would be useful to have all our coverage from this very busy week in one […]

Wolf signs $34 billion budget full of bipartisan wins, but missing progressive priorities

BY: - June 28, 2019

The agreement came after a week of smooth sailing, punctuated by a few surprise blowups and mishaps. Most lawmakers agreed the on-time budget was a sign of a functioning, albeit divided, government.

Pat Albright repurposes a sign to protest the elimination of General Assistance. (Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes)

Cash assistance for disabled Pennsylvanians will be eliminated, as Wolf says he will sign budget bill

BY: - June 28, 2019

The legislation was amended by House Republicans during the budget process to also reauthorize and expand a key Philadelphia hospital assessment that delivers millions in revenue and expires June 30.

COMMENTARY
Pat Albright repurposes a sign to protest the elimination of General Assistance. (Photo by Sarah Anne Hughes)

The Top 5 Tweets that sum up our very weird #PaBudget Week | Friday Morning Coffee

BY: - June 28, 2019

Pictures speak way more than 1,000 words.

Pa. budget on its way to Gov. Wolf after education bill dispute temporarily derails process

BY: - June 28, 2019

Negotiations between the Senate and House over the concerns are set to restart Friday morning. A measure to reconsider the bill was already filed by the Democrats.

Keeping ‘the lights on’: Pennsylvania’s libraries poised to get first state funding boost in a decade

BY: - June 28, 2019

Libraries across the state are still reeling from deep cuts they sustained in 2003, when the General Assembly slashed the library subsidy. Many libraries reduced their hours or programs to trim costs.

Pa. state Senate votes to send $34 billion budget to Gov. Tom Wolf

BY: - June 27, 2019

Leadership in both chambers expects to finish the entire budget Thursday evening or Friday.

How one bill could fund voting machines, change Pennsylvania’s elections, and tick off Democrats

BY: - June 27, 2019

The measure includes some provisions most politicos agree are a long time coming, but also features some controversial changes that Democrats are comparing to voter suppression.

Top Republican on Senate chaos: ‘Today we saw what happens when rules aren’t followed’

BY: - June 26, 2019

"This is the worst day in the Senate that I’ve been here," one top Republican said.

COMMENTARY

‘A very serious vote:’ A few scenes from Day 2 of Budget Week | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - June 26, 2019

First rule of minimum wage club, don't talk about the minimum wage.

Here’s what Pennsylvania’s public education advocates think of this year’s budget plan

BY: - June 26, 2019

A $34 billion budget plan approved by the state House Tuesday boosts basic education spending by $160 million, but public school advocates say Pennsylvania’s school districts need even more to cover ever-increasing expenses.

Pennsylvania’s rainy day fund, explained: Why a $250 million deposit is getting so much attention

BY: - June 26, 2019

As part of this year’s budget, lawmakers are getting ready to do something unusual: make a deposit into Pennsylvania’s rainy day fund. On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled state House passed a budget spending bill that puts $250 million into an emergency savings account. The move was backed by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, who consistently said any […]