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Senate Appropriations Committee Report(all tables and graphics can be viewed online) May Revenue Collections Dip Slightly But Fiscal Year Performance Still StrongGeneral Fund revenue collections in May were $14.9 million below the estimate for the month. However, General Fund tax revenues were $39.4 million higher than the monthly estimate. Non-tax revenue was $54.3 million below the estimate. General Fund revenue collections for the fiscal year-to-date are $813.3 million ahead of estimate. Early in May, a daily revenue report showed a negative $33.4 million Personal Income Tax (PIT) amount resulting from the correction of a “double-posting error” made in April. Additionally, the Official Revenue Estimate for May included $46.3 million related to gaming expansion revenues that were received earlier in the year. As a result of these two items, May revenue collections needed to overcome $79.7 million in “give-backs” just to meet the monthly estimate, and monthly revenue collections would have exceeded the estimate but for these items. May 2019 General Fund Revenue vs. Monthly Estimate:
Fiscal Year 2018-19 vs. the Official Revenue Estimate To-Date:
Fiscal Year 2018-19 vs. Fiscal Year 2017-18:
Motor License Fund:
Early Childhood Education FundingUnder the Department of Education, there are two grant programs that support pre-kindergarten early education learning: Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance. Pre-K Counts provides high-quality pre-kindergarten services to at-risk three- and four-year olds at no cost to families. Children living in families earning up to 300% of poverty, or a family of four earning approximately $75,000 annually, are eligible to apply. Pre-K Counts is offered in school districts, Keystone STARS 3 and 4 child care programs, Head Start programs and licensed nursery schools. During the current year, 21,381 children are enrolled in full-day Pre-K Counts programs, and 1,709 children are enrolled in half-day Pre-K Counts programs. The Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program provides state funding to Head Start programs that serve three- and four-year olds living in low-income families based on federal poverty guidelines. The programs provide comprehensive education, health, nutrition and parent involvement services. During the current year, 6,039 children are provided services through the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. The Commonwealth first appropriated $15 million in funding for Head Start Supplemental Assistance during the 2004-2005 fiscal year. Since that time, the Head Start Supplemental Assistance appropriation has grown by 295% to $59.2 million. The Pre-K Counts program was first funded during the 2007-08 fiscal year at $75 million. Since that time, the Pre-K Counts appropriation has grown by 156% to $192.3 million. The Governor’s proposed budget includes $232.3 million for Pre-K Counts, a $40 million, or 20.8%, increase over the current year and $69.2 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance, a $10 million, or 16.9%, increase over the current year. It is estimated that the proposed funding level will provide 27,670 children with Pre-K Counts services and 7,000 children with Head Start Supplemental Assistance services. Pennsylvania ABLE Program – Assets Continue to GrowThe Pennsylvania Office of the State Treasurer reports that the Commonwealth’s ABLE Savings Program has realized $16.7 million in assets as of May 2019. The ABLE Program has seen more than $5 million in growth since the beginning of the year. The Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act created a tax-free option to assist individuals with disabilities and their families to plan for future expenses. Similar to college savings accounts, ABLE accounts allow individuals with qualifying disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses. ABLE savings accounts are not considered as part of the income eligibility determinations for Medical Assistance and other programs that serve individuals with disabilities. These accounts can be used for a variety of disability-related expenses such as health care, housing and transportation. The program was launched in April 2017, and there are currently more than 2,300 individual accounts open. To learn more about Pennsylvania’s ABLE Program or to open an ABLE account, visit www.paable.gov. |
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