Budget Analyses

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center produces a variety of reports, policy briefs, and other publications on state budget and tax policy, health care policy, education policy, poverty and public welfare, the economy, and several related issues. Below is an archive of all PBPC publications to date.

Browse by Issue: You can also browse PBPC publications by the following issue areas:

Tax and Budget | Education | Health and Family Security | PA Economy | Democracy

Once Upon a Time: An Analysis of the 2014-15 General Assembly Approved Budget

July 18, 2014

Once Upon a Time: An Analysis of the 2014-15 General Assembly Approved Budget

The $29.0 billion 2014-15 state General Fund budget enacted earlier this month fails to confront Pennsylvania’s serious revenue problems. Lawmakers pretended that the half billion dollar revenue shortfall in 2013-14 did not exist and “balanced” the 2014-15 budget with one-time transfers, accounting tricks, and phantom revenues.

Analysis: How Do House Budget Cuts Affect Your School District?

June 27, 2014

The budget approved by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on June 25 made significant changes to the Governor’s proposed allocations to school districts and charter schools. The House budget eliminates a $241 increase to school districts and charter schools offered in the Governor’s Ready to Learn Block Grant, replacing it with a $70 million basis education increase, which is a 71% reduction from the Governor’s original proposed increase. This analysis compares each school district’s Ready to Learn allocation with that proposed by the House.

Analysis: Final State Budget Fails to Make Up Lost Ground

July 9, 2013

The Pennsylvania Legislature has approved and the Governor has signed a 2013-14 state budget that spends $28.376 billion. Read PBPC's full analysis.

Tax Code Analysis: Plan Takes Step to Close Delaware Loophole

July 9, 2013

The plan maintains the capital stock and franchise tax, which was set to expire in 2014, for two more years and takes steps to close the Delaware loophole.

School Code Bill Sets Education Funding 'Formula'

July 2, 2013

The School Code establishes a new basic education funding “formula” with a base distribution, and 12 new supplemental criteria targeted to very specific school districts based on aid ratio, enrollment or other unique factors.

2013-14 Budget Analysis: Modest Increases in Governor's Plan Rely on Uncertain Funding Sources

Updated: February 20, 2013

Governor Tom Corbett proposed a 2013-14 budget of $28.4 billion — up $400 million, or 1%, from the budget in place when he took office in January 2011. Read PBPC's detailed analysis of the proposal.

A Look at Education Funding in Governor's 2013-14 Budget

February 11, 2013

The Governor’s 2013-14 budget provides a small increase to the basic education subsidy, but overall funding for K-12 classrooms and higher education would remain well below 2010-11 levels.

Final 2012-13 Budget Analysis: Failing to Invest in a Stronger Pa. Economy

July 13, 2012

The General Assembly has enacted a 2012-13 state budget that restores some of the cuts proposed by Governor Tom Corbett but remains below budgeted 2008-09 levels, despite four years of recession-driven increases in demand for services.

Still No Accountability with Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers for Private and Religious School Tuition | Stephen Herzenberg and Rachel Tabachnick
Who Pays for Property Tax Elimination (We All Do) | Mark Price
PA School District Fact Sheets | Mark Price
Need a Data-Driven Break From The Election? Let's Talk Education Funding... | Mark Price
How Low Will They Go? | Marc Stier
Why Do Rural Legislators Vote For Voucher Programs That Deliver No Benefits To Their Counties? | Stephen Herzenberg
What Would an Adequate Pennsylvania Budget Look Like This Year? | Marc Stier

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