Monday, February 11, 2013
School district officials say they’re happy about the increased funding, but they’re also “concerned” that the boost is tied to one-time revenue generated from the possible sale of the state liquor stores.
At first glance, the $637,000 boost in state funding to the Chartiers Valley School District for next year seems promising. But while school district officials say they’re happy about the increase in Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal, they’re also “concerned” that the boost in funding might not be sustainable. School officials are questioning whether the funding increase could be tied to one-time revenue generated from the possible sale of the state liquor stores. Chartiers Valley Superintendent Brian White Jr. said in a written statement emailed to Patch on Friday that the budget does not adequately solve long-term funding gaps. “We are pleased that the proposal does not cut education,” White said. “We are concerned that the revenues …
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013-14 budget ties sale of state liquor system to a $1 billion grant for school safety, early education programs, individualized learning and science/math programs.
Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2013-14 budget, which he presented Feb. 5, contains an interesting cocktail that mixes the sale of the state's liquor system with funding of a public schools grant. Under his proposal, $1 billion obtained by the proposed privatization of the state's liquor sales would be used to create the Passport for Learning Block Grant that would focus on school safety; enhanced early education programs; individualized learning; and science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses and programs. The $1 billion in revenue to fund that grant will come from the three- to four-year process of selling the Liquor Control Board: $575 million from the wholesale license process, $224 million from the Wine and Spirits retail …
The governor is proposing to spend $200,000 to help communities gather economic evidence about how the closure of a base would impact their area. The money could help the 911th Airlift Wing make its case to remain open.
Buried deep inside Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal released this week is a small line item to help communities gather economic evidence about how the closure of a base would impact their area. The $200,000 is just a drop in the bucket of the $28.4 billion budget, but it could go a long way to protecting the 911th Airlift Wing in Moon Township–and other bases across the state–from being shuttered by the federal government. Steve Kratz, a spokesman for the Department of Community and Economic Development, said that funding would provide additional staff for a committee tasked with gathering evidence about the economic impact of these military bases. “That’s going to allow the committee to hire an additional staffer and provide additional…
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Democrats voice concerns while Republicans lend support for Gov. Tom Corbett's 2013-14 budget.
Western Pennsylvania Democrats had some harsh words for Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2013-14 state budget, which he presented Tuesday, while state Republican Party Chairman Rob Gleason called the governor's plan a "balanced and responsible budget that reinvests in Pennsylvania." “The plan presented by the governor is disappointing,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa, D-Forest Hills. “It was long on politics but short on solutions.” State Rep. Erin Molchany, a newly elected Democrat serving South Hills communities said the governor’s "Band-Aid budget does little to make up for the hurt this state has felt from his deep cuts." State Rep. Robert Matzie, a Democrat representing the Sewickley area, said: “New Jersey has Chris Christie as …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The governor has raised funding in some areas but at least some opponents don't feel the budget addresses important issues.
Gov. Tom Corbett delivered highlights of his proposed 2013-14 budget in a speech before the state Legislature on Tuesday morning. The $28.4 billion state budget plan, a 2.4 percent increase over this year, includes no general tax increases. In one of the most controversial areas, Corbett recommended against expanding Medicaid, as provided for under the Affordable Health Care Act. Corbett plans to ask the federal government for flexibililty to let Pennsylvania customize the health insurance program for its needs or have the state reject the Medicaid expansion. Under the act, also known as Obamacare, Medicaid could expand to cover people earning up to 133 percent of the poverty level and provide coverage for upwards of 600,000 uninsured …
Thursday, February 9, 2012
What does your state legislator think of Gov. Tom Corbett's 2012-13 budget proposal? Find out here.
Gov. Tom Corbett released his 2012-13 state budget that immediately drew either applause or gnashing of teeth depending on which side of the aisle legislators reside. The governor released his $27.14 billion budget proposal Tuesday that would keep spending in line with last year’s budget that slashed a billion dollars from public education and welfare programs. However, public universities such as Pitt and Penn State face even larger reductions in funding from the state this year. The budget does not include any tax or fee increases, but also does not address transportation issues that include crumbling infrastructure and mass transit funding problems. Corbett, a Republican who was elected in 2010, is unlikely to have much trouble pushing …
Monday, April 4, 2011
Local legislators react to the state budget proposal and negotiations.
State legislators have spent the past month discussing Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget proposal and Democrats are continuing to question his priorities while Republicans are considering restoring some funding to higher education. As expected, education funding is the hottest topic after Corbett proposed cutting more than $500 million from basic education for local school districts and slashing state-fund higher education in half. Corbett has said the cuts are essential to balancing his $27.3 billion budget. The state legislators who represent people living in the Chartiers Valley area all agree that education funding is driving the current budget negotiations. State Sen. Wayne Fontana, D-Brookline, said reducing spending is understandable, but …
40.392815
-80.01872
State Sen. Wayne Fontana
930 Brookline Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA
/articles/education-funding-driving-budget-debate
1795609
/locations/4067666
40.407623
-80.086452
State Rep. Nick Kotik
115 E Main St, Carnegie, PA
/articles/education-funding-driving-budget-debate
1795601
/locations/4067667
40.505318
-80.207389
State Rep. Mark Mustio
1009 Beaver Grade Rd Ste 220, Moon Township, PA
/articles/education-funding-driving-budget-debate
1795603
/locations/4067668
40.381426
-80.044285
State Sen. John Pippy
650 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA
/articles/education-funding-driving-budget-debate
1857832
/locations/4067669
40.37627
-80.03721
State Sen. Matt Smith
319 Castle Shannon Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA
/articles/education-funding-driving-budget-debate
1795605
/locations/4067670
Joseph
1:47 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
I've been involved. I've seen the beast first hand. The only way to change it is to become a part of the special interest groups or run for office to diffuse the special interest groups (good luck winning an election without the support of special interest groups). more ›