Corbett to freeze spending, projects shortfall
Corbett to freeze spending, projects shortfall
Posted: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:24 pm
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett's top budget adviser on Tuesday warned that Pennsylvania's tax collections will continue to suffer from economic weakness and said he is developing a plan to freeze some state spending to ease a shortfall that he expects will reach at least $500 million by the end of the fiscal year in six months.
Budget Secretary Charles Zogby would not give details about the kind or amount of spending that could be frozen, but said he expects Corbett, a Republican, to act by the end of December on a set of options given to him by Zogby.
He also warned of another painful budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year beginning July 1 in which Corbett would balance spending without raising taxes. But the state will have to find a way to pay for a projected $1 billion in growing health care, pension and debt costs, Zogby said.
"We want to make very clear that these are very difficult times, with very difficult choices in front of us," Zogby told reporters in a traditional mid-year budget briefing in the Capitol.
Zogby said while many thought the current budget was difficult to balance, he said that "in many respects, 2012-13 is going to be an even more difficult challenge."
The current $27.2 billion budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year made deep cuts to education aid, held the line on human services costs despite rising demand for services, and did not raise taxes to cope with a drop in state revenues and the loss of federal stimulus money. It cut spending by 3 percent, lowered business taxes and carried $1 billion over into the new fiscal year.
Other than saying that tax increases are not under consideration, Zogby would not reveal what the Corbett administration will propose in the governor's February budget plan for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
Through Nov. 30, collections for the state's main bank account, called the general fund, totaled $9.4 billion, which was $345.3 million, or 3.6 percent, below estimate, according to the state Department of Revenue.
9 comments:
Here we go again.
Do you smell more State education cuts?
Do Gov. Corbett, Sen. Casey, Sen Toomey, and Rep. Fitzpatrick know your opinion of how they are performing? Washington is gridlocked and Harrisburg is unresponsive.
Governor Corbett
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284
Senator Casey
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Toll Free: (866) 802-2833
Fax: (202) 228-0604
Senator Toomey
502 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Fax: (202) 228-0284
Representative Fitzpatrick
District Office
1717 Langhorne Newtown Rd. Suite 400
Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone: (215) 579-8102
Fax: (215) 579-8109
Washington Office
1224 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4276
Fax: (202) 225-9511
Did anyone see the footage of Fitzy cutting off debate in the House? He's just another political tool.
In a moment of political theater, Democrats tried to get the House to consider the two-month extension of the payroll tax cut as the chamber convened for a ceremonial session at which no formal business was scheduled. But acting speaker Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., adjourned the chamber and walked out.
"Mr. Speaker, you're walking out. You're walking away just as so many Republicans have walked away from middle-class taxpayers" and others, Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 House Democrat, shouted to an empty chair where the House presiding officer sits.
http://www.wtnh.com/dpps/news/politics/congress/holiday-showdown-over-payroll-tax-tests-obama-gop-nt11-jgr_4018970
Here's some video of Fitz walking away from his constituents
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/21/boehners-office-cuts-off-c-span-cameras-as-gop-takes-beating/
Thanks Mikey Fitz for raising the taxes of 160 MILLION Americans including about 50 MILLION SENIORS!!!!!! Take your toys and go home you typical fraudulent tool!!!
i hope that was a joke list of candidates.
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/fitzpatrick-in-national-spotlight-over-payroll-tax/article_067f2fc1-7d9f-5926-837b-e520df28e612.html
LOL! Fitz is really being roasted over at the Courier Times
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