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    House Republicans Speak Out on the Budget Process

House Republican Budget goals and successes
>> New and increased taxes were not part of the budget thanks to House Republicans standing firm.
>> Cut $1 billion from Governor Rendell’s original $29 billion spending proposal.  

2010-11 Budget Overview

$28.04 billion in total General Fund spending
>> $207.2 million increase over 2009-10
>> .74% growth rate

The $28.04 billion budget includes both state dollars and federal stimulus funds.
>> State dollars: $25.29 billion
>> Stimulus funds: $2.75 billion
(Stimulus assumes $850 million in FMAP funds will be approved by Congress)

How It's Being Balanced
 Since the 2009-10 fiscal year is ending with a $1.2 billion shortfall, the following funds were used to balance this 2010-11 spending plan:
>> General Fund Revenue: $26.53 billion
>> Federal Stimulus Funds: $2.75 billion
>> Marcellus Shale Land Leases: $180 million
>> Various fund balance transfers: $35 million
>> Recovery of Tax Refund Errors: $35 million

Cost savings were also realized through the following measures, which also served as a means to balance this budget:
>> Additional use of P-Cards: $10 million
>> Reduced Tax Refund Reserves: $250 million
(These two measures were set forth by House GOP Reps. John Bear (R-Lancaster) and Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland) )

 By the numbers (as proposed)
General Fund - State Appropriations
(as presented as of 9 a.m. on June 30)


2010-11 PA State Budget

Basic Education Funding proposals


PA Basic Education Funding Formula

Overview of Education Funding Details

PreK -12 Education

•   Basic Education: This budget would provide a $5.12 billion in state dollars and $654.7 million in federal ARRA dollars for a total of $5.77 Billion to the state’s 500 school districts. This represents a $250 million increase over last year.

•   Special Education: State funds would remain at the FY 2009-10 appropriated levels of $1.03 billion.

•   Special Education for Approved Private Schools: Special Education funding for individuals with serious disabilities will total $98 million – equal to the 2009-10 budget.

•   Accountability Block Grants: Funding for these grants would be set at $259.5 million, which gives schools flexibility to fund areas of need. This represents a $12 million reduction from 2009-10.

•   Science In Motion: This award-winning program, which provides science education technology to schools through a partnership with colleges and universities will receive $1.6 million in this budget. This represents a $300,000 reduction from 2009-10.

•   Services to Non-Public Schools: A total of $115 million will be provided to non-public schools, which includes $27 million for textbooks and materials. This would represent a $953,000 reduction from 2009-10.

•   Pre-K Counts: Funding for this early-childhood initiative supporting eligible families – family of four making $66,000 or less – is set at $85.24 million. This is $1.17 million reduction from 2009-10.

•   Head Start Assistance: This program, which provides early-childhood education support to low-income families (family of four making $22,000 or less) is being provided with $38.4 million in this budget. This is $1.1 million less than 2009-10.

•   Public Libraries: Pennsylvania public libraries would receive $54.5 million under this proposal, representing a $5.5 million decrease from 2009-10.

•   Science: It’s Elementary: This program, which supports science education initiatives in elementary schools, will receive about $6.9 million. This represents a $6.7 million reduction from 2009-10.

Higher Education

•   Community Colleges: State dollars for these schools remain at the FY 2009-10 total of $235.7 million. This total includes $21.5 million in ARRA funds.
o   Another $46.4 million will be provided for Community Colleges capital funds.

•   State-Related Universities: The state’s four state-related universities (PSU, PITT, Temple and Lincoln) will receive the following:
o   PSU: $333.9 million (Includes $15.8 million in ARRA)
o   PITT: $168 million (Includes $7.5 million in ARRA)
o   Temple: $172.7 million (Includes $7.8 million in ARRA)
o   Lincoln: $13.8 million (Includes $159,000 in ARRA)

•   Non-State Related Universities and Colleges: All non-state related schools, which are non preferred appropriations, will not receive any funding in this budget.
o   The veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania is an exception to this, as it will receive $29.75 million.
o   The University of Pennsylvania would also receive $248,000 for its Center for Infectious Disease.   

•   State System of Higher Education: The state’s 14 universities will receive a total of $503.4 million.  This includes $38.2 million in ARRA funds.

•   PHEAA: This budget plan provides $438.7 million for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. This represents a $16 million reduction from 2009-10.
o   PHEAA’s grant program for students will see a $15.3 million reduction. Total funding for this line is set at $388.3 million.


Information on State Pension Reform Measures

Chairmans Report - June 14 2010 -