The 2021-22 #PABudget supports core government services, makes historic investments in education, and prioritizes our most vulnerable citizens - all while saving for our future.
Securing Pennsylvania's Fiscal Future
•
House Republicans are committed to fiscal restraint so we can prevent future tax increases. All in, factoring in offline spending through federal CARES Act funds and American Rescue Plan funds, our year-over-year growth is just 2.6%.
•
This budget will deposit over $2.52 billion into the Rainy Day Fund, growing the fund total to a historic $2.76 billion.
•
Language is included in the fiscal code to prevent the Department of Human Services from creating new programs that are
not expressly authorized or funded by the General Assembly. Continued cost overruns at DHS have placed pressure on our budget and it needs to stop.
>>
Pennsylvania House Republican Leaders Comment on Fiscally Responsible State Spending Plan
Standing Up for Taxpayers by Rejecting Gov. Wolf's Burdensome Tax Increases
• Since taking office in 2015, Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed increasing taxes with each of his budget proposals, including a proposed $7 billion Personal Income Tax increase this year. The 2021-22 budget includes
no new taxes and no new fees.
Responsible Management of Federal Dollars
• This budget preserves over $5 billion of federal relief funds to be used in future budgets. It's important to remember how federal dollars have been allocated in recent history - after the 2008 recession, the Rendell administration eagerly spent the money right away and significantly grew the size of state government with that funding. When Gov. Corbett took office, he was left with an enormous $4 billion deficit and had to cut spending after the federal funding was depleted. Now that Pennsylvania is in a similar situation, House Republicans are ensuring that federal funding is responsibly allocated over the long-term.
Supporting Educational Opportunities at All Levels
•
The 2021-22 budget continues House Republican efforts to support educational opportunities for children throughout Pennsylvania, whether they attend a traditional public school, a public charter school or a private/parochial school. This budget sets a record high investment of $13.55 billion for PreK-12 education.
•
To support children who have suffered educational losses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we are allocating $350 million in federal relief funds for learning loss, summer enrichment and after school programs.
•
House Republicans realize that students and families should have choice when it comes to education. That is why this budget increases the Educational Improvement Tax Credit to $225 million, an additional $40 million or 22% increase.
•
The 2021-22 budget supports the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) system redesign by allocating $50 million in federal relief funds to support integration.
Protecting Pennsylvania's Most Vulnerable Citizens
•
Recognizing the ongoing costs related to COVID-19 mitigation, this budget allocates $282 million in federal relief funds to help nursing homes, assisted living and personal care homes with costs related to personal protective equipment (PPE), staff testing and other pandemic related costs.
•
This budget includes money to take care of those with intellectual disabilities, allowing services for an additional 832 people living with intellectual disabilities.
•
A new dedicated funding source is established to provide $9.3 million in Tobacco Settlement Fund dollars annually for pediatric cancer research.
Investing in Infrastructure and Jobs
• To support critical road and bridge projects, and to make up for pandemic-related losses in revenue in the Motor License Fund, this budget allocates $279 million in federal relief funds for transportation infrastructure.
•
We continue our support to agriculture, Pennsylvania's #1 industry, by maintaining funding for key operational and research needs, in addition to increasing the PA State Food Purchase Program with an additional $3 million.
•
We allocate $44 million of federal relief funds for career and technical schools to ensure that students can learn the skills needed for the jobs that are available today.
•
This budget eliminates the costly overtime regulations that Gov. Wolf forced upon our small businesses.
Protecting Our Families and Communities
•
This budget will allow the Pennsylvania State Police to train two new cadet classes, which will add up to an additional 180 troopers to protect communities throughout the state. Additionally,
$30 million is allocated for violence intervention and prevention.
•
Recognizing the need to return to stability and wellness for Pennsylvanians, we set aside $372 million of federal relief funds to be used for ongoing pandemic response.
•
$5 million in federal funds are allocated to the Emergency Medical Services Operating Fund to support our first responders.
Details
General Fund Financial Statement
Final Tracking Run
Federal Appropriations - Pandemic-Related Funding
Education Spending History - A 10 Year Look
Basic Education Funding by District