In recent weeks, the General Assembly has been working on the 2022-23 state budget. Details will be released once the spending plan is finalized. Despite a projected surplus for the current fiscal year, budget deficits are expected in the near future: $1.9 billion in 2023-24, $2 billion in 2024-25, $1.8 billion in 2025-26, and $1.7 billion in 2026-27. These numbers could increase if there is a prolonged recession.
Strengthening the state’s Rainy Day Fund and reducing debt this cycle will help Pennsylvania manage these anticipated challenges and avoid tax increases.
Education funding remains a significant issue in the state budget discussions. Some key points include:
– Total spending on Pennsylvania public schools from all sources was over $33.6 billion as of the 2020-21 academic year—a 32% increase since 2013.
– State spending alone accounts for $13.32 billion of that amount and has increased by 40% since 2013, despite a 7% decrease in school district enrollment during that period.
– Per-student spending for district schools is at $19,919—ranking Pennsylvania eighth in total per-student funding, which is nearly $4,000 more than the national average.
– School districts had reserve funds totaling $5.29 billion as of 2020-21, up from $4.8 billion the previous year and a 32.7% increase since 2013.
– Nearly half of Pennsylvania’s school districts have reserve funds exceeding 20% of their spending.
– Public schools still have $5.46 billion in unspent federal pandemic aid.
Despite significant spending on public education, student performance lags with “78 percent of Pennsylvania eighth-grade students not proficient in math and 47 percent not proficient in language arts.” A report by the state’s Independent Fiscal Office found “little or no correlation between current expenditures per student and the share of students that score proficient or above on standardized tests.”
House Bill 711 encouraging online filing of campaign finance reports passed unanimously this week in the House. The bill aims to promote transparency and accountability by encouraging candidates and political action committees to file electronically.
The House also approved House Bill 2527 to expand “Good Samaritan” protections for new opioid overdose reversal drugs pending FDA approval.
As Independence Day approaches, residents are reminded to use fireworks safely and considerately.
PennDOT driver license service centers will be closed on July 2 and July 4; however, services remain available online.
On July 4th, a Fish for Free day will allow anyone to fish legally without a license across Pennsylvania waterways.
