Gov. Tom Wolf announced late Friday he will let the newest Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 1589 (Causer-R- Cameron)-- become law Sunday without his signature closing the book on the FY 2015-16 state General Fund budget.
“Over the past several days, I have worked with Republicans and Democrats in the legislature to finalize the 2015-2016 budget. I will let the fiscal code become law without my signature, and I look forward to working with the legislature in the coming weeks to address our challenges and meet the needs of distressed school districts so that they will remain solvent,” said Gov. Wolf.
“As we enter 2016-2017, I look forward to coming together to reach a long-term solution to fix our deficit and to fund education at all levels. I remain adamant that we must take additional steps to restore the cuts from the previous administration.
“We still have a long way to go to restore the cuts to education at all levels, Pre-K through higher education.
“I am eager to get to work immediately with Republican and Democratic leaders to discuss a responsible 2016-2017 budget that is balanced, fixes the deficit, continues to make important investments in education and prevents Pennsylvania from going over a fiscal cliff that will have serious implications for our long-term future.”
The bill includes provisions to authorize a transfer from the PA Racehorse Development Fund, a $15 million reduction in funding for the Environmental Stewardship (Growing Greener) Fund, takes $12 million from CFA’s High Performance Buildings Program and transfers it to fund a new program to expand access to natural gas infrastructure, earmarks existing DCNR funding for the operation of Washington Crossing Historical Park and directs funding to sewer and drinking water projects for specific legislators.
The bill does NOT contain the provisions delaying the development of a Pennsylvania plan to meet the Clean Power Climate Plan rule or killing DEP’s final conventional oil and gas drilling regulations.
A House Fiscal Note and summary of the bill is available.
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