Senate Committee OKs $27.6 Billion General Fund Budget Proposal

Senate Republicans released a General Fund spreadsheet this afternoon showing the changes they made to the Governor's budget request when they reported their budget package out of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
            Overall the Senate Republican budget package totals $27.65 billion, more than the Governor's $27.14 billion. 

            The proposal restores about $500 million in funding cuts proposed by Gov. Corbett and make an additional $165 million in cuts of their own.  As expected, the major areas of restoration include:

-- $245 million in funding for higher education-- $147 million for state-related universities, $83 million for state-owned universities, $15 million for PHEAA;

-- $50 million for cash-strapped school districts;

-- $14 million in early childhood education;

-- $168 million in mental health and retardation services;

-- $18 million to the Keystone Conservation Fund.
            Budget Secretary Charles Zogby has already said the state cannot afford the Senate plan, noting mandated cost increases over the next two years will add more than $1 billion about projected revenue growth.

            A final vote on the Senate GOP package is expected as early as Wednesday.

NewsClips:
$27.6 Billion Budget On Its Way To Senate Floor

College Leaders Agreed To Level Tuition For Budget Restorations

Senate GOP's Budget Bill Advances To Floor

 Senate Panel OKs Plan To Restore Some Education Funds

            Here are the major changes from the Governor's FY 2012-13 budget request:

Department of Agriculture

-- Agricultural Research - $787,000

-- Hardwoods Research & Promotion - $270,000

-- Conservation District Fund - No Change

-- Transfer to Nutrient Management Fund - No Change

Department of Community & Economic Development

-- Transfer to Commonwealth Financing Authority - $ 9 million additional

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

-- No changes from Governor's recommendations

-- Overall cut from FY 2011-12 levels by $2.5 million

State System Of Higher Education
-- Funds for the PA Center for Environmental Education and the McKeever Environmental Center were not restored

Department of Environmental Protection

-- No changes from Governor's recommendations

-- Transfer to Conservation District Fund - same $2.8 million as Governor recommended

-- Overall cut from FY 2011-12 levels by $10.5 million

Senate

-- $4.3 million increase (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)

House

-- $7.6 million increase (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)

State Legislative Support Agencies

-- $7.1 million increase (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)