Conservative Thoughts on the 2017-2018 Pennsylvania Budget

           Last month, the 2017-2018 budget for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was approved by the Republican-majority General Assembly and signed into law by the liberal Democratic Governor.  The budget, which was the result of compromise between divided branches of government, contains mixed results from a conservative perspective, as expected.

The $37 billion budget, which was approved on time, includes an increase in spending over the rate of inflation, when all spending is added together, despite statements and reports to the contrary that did not include all spending.  It includes more spending on education and school safety, as well as increased funding for scholarships for non-public schools.    

The budget was approved without any tax increases, except for an increase in hospital assessments.  Governor Tom Wolfe was forced by the legislature to abandon his annual demand for an additional tax on natural gas extraction. 

There was still no privatization of alcohol, which would increase revenues significantly, or pension reform, which would reduce expenditures dramatically.