State Budget and Tax Policy

August Revenues Come in $7 Million Above Estimate

September 1, 2010

Through the first two months of 2010-11, General Fund revenues are $6 million, or 0.2%, over estimate.

Details on $212 Million in 2010-11 Budget Cuts

September 1, 2010

The Rendell administration on Tuesday laid out where it plans to cut $212 million from the 2010-11 state budget. That, along with a projected $70 million in revenue from a yet-to-be-enacted Marcellus Shale gas severance tax, will bridge a revenue shortfall.

How to Structure a Severance Tax that is Fair to Pennsylvanians

August 30, 2010

As Pennsylvania lawmakers debate the contours of a severance tax on natural gas extracted from the Marcellus Shale formation, PBPC has put forth a series of recommendations, including assessing a reasonable tax rate, limiting loopholes and restoring local government's authority to assess property taxes on oil and gas interests.

New State Budget Cuts Proposed as FMAP Funding Falls Short

August 11, 2010

A day after Congress approved an extension of FMAP funds and an education jobs fund, Governor Ed Rendell announced more budget cuts are on the way in Pennsylvania.

Congress Passes Additional FMAP, Teacher Funding

August 10, 2010

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 247-161 on Tuesday to provide $26 billion in additional federal assistance to the states. For Pennsylvania, that means $600 million in additional FMAP funds and $388 million in funding to keep teachers in the classroom.

July Tax Collections Point to Sluggish Improvement in State Revenue Situation

August 3, 2010

With collections in for the first month of the new fiscal year, the Commonwealth took in $42 million, or 2.6%, more than it did a year ago, in July 2009.

What Does Federal FMAP Funding Mean for Pennsylvanians?

July 8, 2010

The 2010-11 state budget relies on $850 million in enhanced federal FMAP funding for public health and human services that is in jeopardy. View Congressional district fact sheets detailing the impact of FMAP and the critical health services it funds on the lives of Pennsylvanians.

Missed Opportunities: An Analysis of 2010-11 Budget

July 8, 2010

Lawmakers avoided a prolonged fight over spending and taxes, but they also missed an opportunity to raise recurring revenue to put Pennsylvania on surer fiscal footing. PBPC has a full analysis of the 2010-11 budget plan signed into law on July 6.