pa-budget-2020

COMMENTARY

Rebel GOP group calls on moderate Repubs in Pa., battleground states to vote Biden | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 28, 2020

The Lincoln Project is targeting voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. They're encouraging GOP voters to back Joe Biden in November.

COMMENTARY

The 5(ish) Tweets that sum up a most unusual budget season | Wednesday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 27, 2020

Working into the night on Tuesday, the Legislature advanced a $25 billion budget that will provide five months' worth of funding to help see the state cope with the economic devastation dealt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pa. state House passes stopgap budget measure in close vote, sending it to Senate

BY: and - May 26, 2020

Like in an old western standoff, masked lawmakers stared each down across the half-empty benches of the Pennsylvania House floor Tuesday evening, as the chamber voted on a temporary, $25 billion budget that aims to buy the state time to triage the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

COMMENTARY

Report: Smaller states with lower caseloads got a larger share of federal cash to fight COVID-19 | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 26, 2020

A new study details the uneven way CARES Act funding was allocated. Pennsylvania received the 7th-lowest share, per case, nationwide.

With a bottom line rocked by COVID-19, Pa. lawmakers set to pass stop-gap budget this week

BY: - May 25, 2020

The temporary measure is due to the uncertain revenues from the COVID-19 pandemic, which have already zapped at least $2.3 billion from state’s coffers.

COMMENTARY

Looking to fill a COVID-19 budget hole, backers push for video gambling in bars, restaurants | Friday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 22, 2020

Cash-starved bar and restaurant owners say video gambling will save them. Will state lawmakers try their luck this budget season?

COMMENTARY

The Pa. primary is June 2. These are the issues older voters need to keep in mind | Ray E. Landis

BY: - May 15, 2020

Pennsylvania’s delayed primary election is now rapidly approaching, but like almost everything else in our lives, COVID-19 has changed how candidates and voters are interacting.

COMMENTARY

Hit hard by COVID-19, Wolf, lawmakers can’t forget older residents in budget talks | Ray E. Landis

BY: - May 6, 2020

We cannot jeopardize the health and welfare of our vulnerable older population in their time of need. Programs need to be shored up in the budget.

Pa. faces $2B budget deficit as COVID-19 delays taxes, throttles business

BY: - May 1, 2020

Two months out from the deadline to pass a new state budget, Pennsylvania now faces a $2.2 billion deficit amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

COMMENTARY

Will plummeting retail sales deal another blow to Pa.’s bottom line? | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - April 16, 2020

Good Thursday Morning, Fellow Seekers.  Already facing a grim spring from the public health toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pennsylvania’s budget picture got a bit more bleak on Wednesday with the news that retail sales were down sharply in March, dealing a blow to sales tax collections. Retail sales dropped 8.7 percent last month, according […]

Pa.’s 2020 budget could be up to $1.8 billion short because of COVID-19 business closings

BY: - April 8, 2020

Pennsylvania could lose as much as $4 billion in tax revenues over the next 15 months due to the coronavirus-related economic shutdowns.

Amid COVID-19 downturn, Pa. Treasurer Torsella extends state a $2B credit line

BY: - April 2, 2020

Originally authorized to run through April 12, the credit line will expire June 2, with the interest rate capped at 2 percent.