Pennsylvania ended the fiscal year in the plus column. Revenues for June were 8.3 percent, or $246.1 million above estimates. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue says the numbers were boosted by higher collections for sales, personal income, corporation and inheritance taxes. They offset declines in realty transfer and other general fund taxes, such as cigarettes, […]
The $27.15-billion dollar, no-tax increase budget trims state spending by more than a billion dollars. It passed the legislature with zero Democratic support Wednesday night, but Governor Tom Corbett waited until all of the supporting bills were in place before finally putting pen to paper late Thursday night. The administration reports that 66-line items were eliminated, 226-line […]
Tuition will be going up for students attending Pennsylvania’s 14 state owned universities. The Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education has approved the increase to help make up part of the gap left by the state budget. In-state students will pay an additional 7.5% for tuition, or $218 per semester and 50% more […]
According to AAA forecasts for the holiday weekend, not quite as many people will travel this year as last. AAA is projecting a 2.5% to 2.7% decline in the number of travelers overall. Automobile travel is expected to be down about 3%, while air travel will be up about 9%. However, 84% of those making trips over […]
Governor Tom Corbett calls a local property tax reform bill crucial for this budget season. Specifically, he supports the removal of exceptions that allow school districts to raise property taxes above the Act 1 inflationary index, without voter approval. “I believe that if [school districts] are going to go beyond the rate of inflation than […]
A $27.15- billion dollar state spending plan has now passed both chambers of the legislature, with zero Democratic support. Wednesday night’s House vote was 109 – 92. Two Republicans joined all House Democrats in opposition to the bill. House Republican Appropriations chair Bill Adolph (R-Delaware) says it represents about a 4% reduction in general spending. […]
The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is reaffirming its opposition to Sunday hunting, following a resolution adopted by state game officials on Tuesday. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners adopted a resolution to support Sunday hunting, by a 4 to 3 vote with one commissioner abstaining. The resolution urges the General Assembly to repeal the ban, […]
The new fiscal year begins on Friday, but Pennsylvania may still have its first on-time budget in eight years. The State Senate voted along party lines (30 to 20) to pass a GOP-backed $27.15-billion dollar spending plan Tuesday evening. “This year marks a return to a state budget paid for with state revenues,” says Senate Republican […]
Law abiding gun owners’ rights to self defense just got stronger in Pennsylvania. Governor Tom Corbett signed the expanded “Castle Doctrine” privately on Tuesday. “It codifies existing law… it codifies the self defense law under common law,” Corbett said in response to questions at an unrelated news conference. “If you believe that your home is […]
A new web-based program aimed at bullying is ready for the new school year– free of charge. “The Bullying Academy” was being introduced this week at the International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Philadelphia . It’s a project of the Students in the Know Foundation. Executive Director Tommy Walser says the program goes […]