Governor Tom Corbett announced nearly $157 million in state spending freezes today. They vary by department and program, but most agencies are facing a reduction of about 3%.
As we have written here, the combination of state budget cuts and the end of Recovery Act funding have translated into a wave of layoffs and property tax increases throughout Pennsylvania. This surely won’t help.
In a statement, the Governor said that if the state’s revenue picture improves in the months ahead, these funds could be unfrozen. Midway through the 2011-12 fiscal year, the state has a revenue gap of $487 million.
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center has a quick rundown of the budgetary freezes by department and agency, with a link to a full listing of all freezes. We’ll have more analysis of this and the state’s revenue picture later in the week.
Governor Tom Corbett announced nearly $157 million in state spending freezes today. They vary by department and program, but most agencies are facing a reduction of about 3%.
As we have written here, the combination of state budget cuts and the end of Recovery Act funding have translated into a wave of layoffs and property tax increases throughout Pennsylvania. This surely won’t help.
In a statement, the Governor said that if the state’s revenue picture improves in the months ahead, these funds could be unfrozen. Midway through the 2011-12 fiscal year, the state has a revenue gap of $487 million.
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center has a quick rundown of the budgetary freezes by department and agency, with a link to a full listing of all freezes. We’ll have more analysis of this and the state’s revenue picture later in the week.