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Senate to Examine Spending Proposed by Governor
Proposed $25.4 Billion Package
Includes 4.77% Growth in Outlays
HARRISBURG -- The
state Senate will thoroughly examine Governor Ed Rendell's proposed $25.4
billion general fund budget for fiscal year 2006-07 over the next several
months, according to Senate Majority Leader David J. Brightbill.
The budget unveiled by the
Governor during a joint session of the General Assembly today includes a real
year-over-year increase of $1.16 billion (4.77 percent) in spending with about
half of the increase ($512 million) targeted to the Department of Education.
“We will thoroughly study the
Governor's proposals,” Senator Brightbill said. “Because the Governor is
proposing significant increases in spending which could potentially affect many
families across the Commonwealth, this budget will require extensive and
comprehensive review to determine whether the Governor's proposals are feasible
and fiscally responsible.”
Although the Governor has in
the past claimed that his budget proposals fall within the common-sense spending
controls spelled out in the Taxpayer Fairness Act, this year's budget clearly
does not. According to calculations by the Senate Republican Appropriations
office, the TFA would allow for increased spending of about $842 million -- a
growth rate of 3.47 percent over last year's $24.27 billion budget.
Under Governor Rendell's FY
06-07 spending proposal, basic education and special education would see
increases in state funding to the tune of an additional $224.6 million (5
percent) for basic education -- a total of $4.7 billion -- and an additional $38
million (4 percent) for special education -- a total of $991 million. He also
proposes adding $50 million to the Accountability Block Grant program, which
would increase to $250 million.
Funding for dual enrollment,
an initiative of Senate Republicans, which allows more students to receive
college credits while in high school, is proposed to increase by $2 million for
a total of $7 million in FY 2006-07.
The proposed budget also
includes a 5 percent increase ($8.4 million) for community colleges for a total
of $264.7 million. Overall, direct funding for the State System of Higher
Education would increase by $17.9 million (4.5 percent) to a total of $465.4
million. The budget includes an additional $18 million in state funding for
increases in PHEAA grants.
“Many of these proposals,
taken at face value, have merit,” said Senator Brightbill. “But the Legislature
has a responsibility to the people of the Commonwealth to ensure that taxpayers'
money is spent prudently. One troubling aspect of the Governor's budget is the
increase in debt service. It's an increase of nearly 20 percent, to a total of
about $853 million -- and that's something that will be looked at closely as we
review this budget.”
The Senate Appropriations
Committee will review the Governor's proposals in depth during its annual series
of budget hearings. The budget hearings are set for the weeks of February 27
and March 6.
AUDIO & VIDEO CLIPS:
Senate
Republicans Respond to Governor's Budget Address
BACKGROUND:
Governor's Major Budget Cuts from 2005-06 Budget
(PDF file)
Rendell
06-07 Budget Proposal vs. Taxpayer Fairness Act (PDF file)
Text of Governor's 2/8/06 Budget Address
Governor's Proposed Budget
Senate
Appropriations Committee 2006-07 Budget Hearings
Schedule
Senate Majority Whip Jeff Piccola (R-15)
speaks to reporters in the Capitol rotunda following the governor's
annual budget address on Feb. 8.
Sen. Pat Vance (R-31) answers media
questions outside the Senate chamber following the governor's annual
budget address on Feb. 8.
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