Senate Approves $27 Billion State Budget for FY 2007-08

Cuts $344 million from Governor’s request, protects vital programs

The state Senate yesterday approved a general fund budget for fiscal year 2007-08 that slices $344 million in spending requested by the Governor, while restoring funding that he reduced or eliminated for vital community, agricultural and human services programs, according to Senator Pat Browne, R-16th District

The $27 billion budget detailed in House Bill 1286 includes a modest 2.69 percent increase ($709 million) in spending over the current fiscal year without the seven new or increased taxes proposed by the Governor.

HB 1286 meets four objectives set by Senate Republicans for the budget: that it considers spending over a two-year period; that it keeps spending within limits; that it includes no new taxes; and, that it be passed on time.

“This is a common sense budget that provides funding for essential programs and services without increasing taxes,” Senator Browne said.

HB 1286, as amended by the Senate Appropriations Committee – which Senator Browne serves on as a member – restores $105.7 million in funding that Governor Rendell slashed from a variety of programs and services in his proposed budget.

“The Governor reduced or eliminated funding for many important programs that provide services to thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We have taken steps to ensure that those programs and services are adequately funded,” Senator Browne said.

HB 1286 includes a 3.5 percent increase ($166.6 million) for basic education subsidies for a proposed total of $4.95 billion in FY 07-08. Special Education funding would increase by $29.4 million (3 percent) for a proposed total of just over $1 billion in FY 07-08.

State System of Higher Education universities will see a 3.5 percent ($16.4 million) increase for a proposed total of $483.9 million. Community colleges would see a $9.2 million (3.5 percent) increase to $273.8 million, while Pennsylvania’s state-related universities would receive an additional 2 percent each: Penn State, $5.1 million ($263.5 million total); University of Pittsburgh, $3.2 million ($164.3 million total); Temple University, $3.3 million ($172.4 million total); and, Lincoln University, $270,000 ($13.7 million total).

Contact:

Matt Moyer
(610) 821-8468