From:

Stone,Sophie

Senttime:

06/10/201505:25:29PM

To:

Stone,Sophie

Subject:

Capitolwire:LegislativeRepublicanscouldgoitaloneonthebudgetifagreementwithWolfremainselusive.

Capitolwire:LegislativeRepublicanscouldgoitaloneonthebudgetifagreement
withWolfremainselusive.
OntheupsidemaybeonlyforlawmakerstheGeneralAssemblycouldtakeabreak,evenifitsonlytemporary,inearlyJuly.
ByChrisComisac
BureauChief
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June10)-Whilebipartisanbudgetdiscussionscontinuebetweenthegovernorandlegislativeleaders,thetimecouldbe
rapidlyapproachingwhenlegislativeRepublicanleadersstrikeoutontheirownandconstructabudget.
GOPleadersintheHouseandSenatearedeterminedtohaveastatebudgetonGov.TomWolfsdeskbytheendofthemonth,evenif
thatmeanstheydonthaveanagreementwiththegovernor.
Membersweretoldweforeseeascenariothatwegetthebudgetdoneontime,HouseGOPspokesmanSteveMiskinsaid
Wednesday.Wereanticipatingadeal,butabalancedandresponsiblebudgetwillbeonthegovernorsdeskonJune30.
Miskinsaidtheresnoparticulardrop-deaddateafterwhichlegislativeRepublicanswilldotheirownbudget.
However,henotedataminimum,theGOPwouldneedthreedaystogetaGeneralAppropriationsbilltoWolfsdesk:thatincludestime
forafinalHousevoteontheG.A.vehicle,HouseBill1192,andthreedaysofconsiderationintheSenate.Miskinaddedabitmoretime
wouldbeneedediftheSenateamendsthebill.
Wecangetsomethingpassedinthreedays,sotheHousewilltaketheleadonthat,saidDrewCrompton,chiefofstaffandlegal
counseltoSenatePresidentProTemJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson.
Itspossibletherecouldbesignificantmovementinbudgetnegotiationswiththegovernorduringthenexttwo-plusweeks,butthe
governorstillappearstobecommittedtogettingnothingshortofthebudgetheproposed.
ThestatusquoisunacceptableandthepeopleofPennsylvaniaaretiredofHarrisburgpoliticiansdoingthesamethingoverandover,
saidWolfspokesmanJeffSheridaninanemailwhenaskedaboutthepotentialforabudgetdealaswellastheadministrationsreaction
totheGOPpossiblygoingitaloneonthebudget.
Gov.WolfhasthreesimpleprioritiestomovePennsylvaniaforward:fundschoolswithacommonsenseseverancetaxeliminatethe
structuraldeficitwithoutgimmicksandreducepropertytaxesformiddle-classfamiliesandseniors,Sheridansaid.Gov.Wolfwillnot
acceptanythingless.
Rightnow,thegovernorsposition,atleastfromtheperspectiveoflegislativeRepublicans,hasimpededprogresstowardanagreement,
evenafterseveralmeetingsbetweenlegislativeleadersandWolf.
"Wearestillinpreliminarystatus,"saidCrompton,whodescribeditas"discussionsabouthavingmorediscussions."
"We'velockedhornsonsomeofthosepreliminarymatters,"includingagreementonthedeficit,costtocarry,andspendnumber.
"Theseissueswehavenotresolved."
"Someinthegovernor'sofficestillneedtocomebacktoplanetEarth,"saidMiskinregardingthestatusofbudgetnegotiations.
AndwhileneitherHouseRepublicansnorSenateRepublicanshavebeenadvisedbytheirleadershowtoscheduletheirsummerplans,
ifabudgetbillisonthegovernorsdeskbyJune30,someportionofthefirsttwoweeksofJulycouldbeagoodtimetoschedulea
getaway.
ThatsbecausebyJune30assuggestedbylegislativeRepublicans-eitherabudgetdealisreachedwiththegovernor,oraGOPconstructedandpassedbudgetwillbeonWolfsdesk.
Underthefirstscenario,lawmakerssimplytaketheirnormalsummerlegislativebreakfollowingthepassageofanewbudget.Underthe
secondscenario,thegovernorwillhave10daystoreviewthebudgetpresentedtohim,withthepotentialforhimtousealltendaysfor
thatreview.
Eitherway,muchofthefirsttwoweeksofJulydontlooktoobadforapotentialvacation...whichmightonlybeapositivefor
Pennsylvaniasstatelawmakers.

-30-

SophieStone|PressAssistant
OfficeofCommunications|OfficeoftheGovernor
308MainCapitolBuilding|Harrisburg,PA17120
Email:

|Office:

From:

Stone,Sophie

Senttime:

07/01/201508:52:49AM

To:

Stone,Sophie

Subject:

Governor'sOfficePressClips-July1,2015

Budget:Commentary

Times-Tribune:Editorial:GOPbudgetposturing
http://thetimes-tr bune.com/opinion/gop-budget-posturing-1.1906086

Herald-Standard:SteveHerzenberg:Gov.Wolf'sbudgetwouldbenefitFayetteCounty
http://www.heraldstandard.com/opinion/letters to the editor/gov-wolf-s-budget-would-benefit-fayette-county/article 425c36ce-e9bd-5d2a-a31aba7b5f854cf9.html

YorkDispatch:Op-Ed:LoweringstateCorporateNetIncomeTaxistherightmove
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/viewpoints/ci 28404180/op-ed-lowering-state-corporate-net-income-tax

BeaverCountyTimes:Severallocallegislatorsshareharshremarksaboutbudget
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local news/several-local-legislators-share-harsh-remarks-about-budget/article a96f1794-1e9f-11e5-9252fb7bf53282dc.html/?REFER-MI=News

Tribune-Democrat:Editorial:Lackofstatebudgetisdisappointing
http://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/editorial-lack-of-state-budget-is-disappointing/article_05ecd254-1e96-11e5-be9b-2fd8ca2f45f1.html

Budget:Veto

AP:WolfseekstorestarttalksaftervetoingGOPsbudgetbill
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20150701/wolf-seeks-to-restart-talks-after-vetoing-gops-budget-bill

AP:PennsylvaniagovernorvetoesentireRepublicanbudgetbill
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150630_ap_5ad038859fbb4ed28c38ee2339fcfaec.html#pyQoot0DYP7E5uPz.99

PAIndependent:Wolfsveto,opposingmandatesleavePennsylvaniawithoutbudget
http://paindependent.com/2015/07/wolf-budget-veto/

PatriotNews:Thedefinitionofinsanity?Justanotherdaytheofficeforthe#PaBudgetdebate:Analysis
http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/06/liquor_privatization_pension_r.html#incart_river


PatriotNews:WolfhitsbudgetresetbuttonmuchtoGOP'sdisappointment
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/wolf hits budget reset button.html

PatriotNews:Gov.TomWolfvetoesGOP-passedbudgetbill,bringingbudgetnegotiatorsbacktothetable
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/gov tom wolf vetoes gop-passed.html

PatriotNews:Gov.TomWolfvetoesRepublicanbudgetproposal.Nowwhat?
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/gov tom wolf vetoes republican.html#incart river

PatriotNews:'ThisistheGovernor'sshutdown,'GOPspokesmansaysafterWolfveto:WednesdayMorningCoffee
http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/07/the four videos that explain w.html

MorningCall:DemocraticGov.TomWolfvetoesRepublicans'budget
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-wolf-legislature-budget-veto-0630-20150630-story.html#page=1

Tribune-Review:PennsylvaniaSenatepasses$30.1BGOPbudgetGov.Wolfvetolikely
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8658506-74/state-budget-bill#ixzz3edpUv7IV

PittsburghPost-Gazette:'Thisbudgetissimplynotbalanced':Gov.WolfvetoesRepublicanspendingplan
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/30/Pennsylvania-governor-to-veto-GOP-s-budget-bill/stories/201506300295

PhiladelphiaInquirer:WolfvetoesentireGOPbudget,says'mathdoesn'twork'
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150701 Pa

GOP sends its budget to Gov

Wolf.html#HpTk2TE2MPrGw84J.99

Times-Tribune:WolfquicklyvetoesGOPbudgetplan
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/wolf-quickly-vetoes-gop-budget-plan-1.1906130

ReadingEagle:Analysis:WithWolf'sveto,budgetstalematecouldlastweeks,orlonger
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/analysis-pennsylvania-state-budget-stalemate-could-last-weeks-or-longer#sthash.alvWuUTu.dpuf

WITF:Gov.WolfVetoesGOP'sEntireBudgetBill
http://wesa.fm/post/gov-wolf-vetoes-gops-entire-budget-bill

PhiladelphiaMagazine:WolfVetoesGOPBudget
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/07/01/wolf-vetoes-gop-budget/


PLSReporter:Gov.WolftovetoentireGOP-craftedbudget,callsproposalamess
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/811/Gov-Wolf-to-veto-entire-GOP-crafted-budget-calls-proposal-%E2%80%9Camess%E2%80%9D.aspx

PLSReporter:Whatdoesavetosay?
http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/810/What-does-a-veto-say.aspx

WBRE:VIDEO:GovernorTomWolfVetoesGOP-PassedBudgetBill
http://www.pahomepage.com/story/d/story/governor-tom-wolf-vetoes-gop-passed-budget-bill/34754/Yf0v-QnjvEitMNUWuucVdw

WNEP:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesEntireBudget
http://wnep.com/2015/06/30/governor-wolf-vetoes-entire-budget/

KDKA:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesEntireRepublicanBudgetBill,LiquorLegislationUpInTheAir
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/06/30/governor-wolf-vetoes-entire-republican-budget-bill/

ABC27:VIDEO:GovernorWolfvetoesbudgetpassedbyRepublican-ledlegislature
http://abc27.com/2015/06/30/governor-wolf-vetoes-budget-passed-by-republican-led-legislature/

FOX43:VIDEO:Gov.Wolfvetoesbudgetbill
http://fox43.com/2015/06/30/gov-wolf-vetoes-budget-bill/

WGAL:VIDEO:GovernorvetoesRepublicanbudget
http://www.wgal.com/news/governor-vetoes-republican-budget/33899212

WTAJ:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesBudget
http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/governor-wolf-vetoes-budget/23544/7 ezbOUl4Emg88Vq7U10ww

KYW:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesEntirePa.Budget
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/06/30/pa-senate-sends-budget-to-governor/

LiquorPrivatization,Pensions

PatriotNews:Whatliquorprivatizationwoulddoandnotdoforconsumers
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/what liquor privatization woul.html


PatriotNews:Housesendshistoricliquorprivatizationbilltogovernortosign
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/house sends historic liquor pr.html

Tribune-Review:Inhistoricvote,Pa.Senateapprovesbillsellingstateliquorstores
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8659362-74/liquor-state-wine#axzz3eUZhKQf3

AP:PennsylvaniaSenateapprovesbudget,liquorprivatizationbills
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/30/Liquor-bill-passes-Senate-amid-budget-deadline-day-flurry-1/stories/201506300259

PatriotNews:PennsylvaniaLegislaturesendspublicpensionreformtoGov.TomWolf
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/pensions pennsylvania.html

ReadingEagle:Berkslawmakerssoundoffonbudget,liquorandpensions
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-lawmakers-sound-off-on-budget-liquor-and-pensions#sthash.MePk3SuH.dpuf

Education:FundingFormula

ReadingEagle:ReadingSchoolDistrictemergesasbigwinnerinnewfundingformula
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-school-district-emerges-as-big-winner-in-new-funding-formula#.VZKpPBtVhBd

ReadingEagle:Editorial:Legislatureshouldfollowequitablesubsidyproposal
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-legislature-should-follow-equitable-subsidy-proposal#.VZKwVBtVhBd

DelcoDailyTimes:Editorial:Stateneedstopushfairschoolfunding
http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20150629/editorial-state-needs-to-push-fair-school-funding

Newsworks:MakingsenseofPa.schoolfunding:budgets,formulasandstalemates
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/83615-making-sense-of-pa-school-funding-budgets-formulas-and-stalemates

PhiladelphiaTribune:Phila.teachersproteststateschoolfunding
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/phila-teachers-protest-state-school-funding/article 8643e614-b976-577d-a23e-8711cfce9121.html

Tribune-Democrat:Analysis:Areaschoolsmayseeshrinkingfundsasnewformulagainsmomentumtobecomelaw
http://www.tr bdem.com/news/latest news/analysis-area-schools-may-see-shrinking-funds-as-new-formula/article 53728acc-1fa5-11e5-b4ad9f97b3063491.html

Education:DistrictBudgets

PAIndependent:CityhasnoideahowPhiladelphiaschoolsspenditstaxes
http://paindependent.com/2015/06/city-has-no-idea-how-philadelphia-schools-spend-its-taxes/

PhiladelphiaInquirer:SRCadoptsbudget,butquestionsremain
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20150701_SRC_adopts_budget__but_questions_remain.html

PhiladelphiaDailyNews:SRCadopts$2.8billionbudget,butwithacaveat
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150701_SRC_adopts__2_8_billion_budget__but_with_a_caveat.html#A3wRUz2bYgRHjsEO.99

NewCastleNews:NewCastlebudgetbalancehingesonstatefunds
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/new-castle-budget-balance-hinges-on-state-funds/article_4a415ad2-2280-50b7-b3e8aaf9d48517b9.html

Education:HigherEd

PittsburghPost-Gazette:StateSystemexpectingenrollmentdecline
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/06/30/State-System-extends-line-of-credit-to-Cheyney-University/stories/201506300256

SeveranceTax,Fracking

TimesLeader:Editorial:Pipelineproposalsleavearealandownersfeelinguncertain,isolated
http://timesleader.com/opinion/editorial/371148/our-opinion-pipeline-proposals-leave-area-landowners-feeling-uncertain-isolated

PoconoRecord:Editorial:Publicdeservesmoreinformationondrilling-relatedhealthcomplaints
http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20150629/OPINION/150629438/101041/OPINION

PatriotNews:Pa.lawmakersmovetoblocknewrulesonoilandgasdrilling
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/pa_lawmakers_amend_fiscal_code.html

PatriotNews:HouseRepublicanstokeepamendmentblockingnewrulesfordrilling,evenafterveto
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/house_republicans_to_keep_amen.html#incart_river


Tribune-Review:DavidConti:Addingitup
http://blog.triblive.com/flowback/2015/06/29/adding-it-up/

Tribune-Review:HalliburtonclosingIndianaCountyoffice
http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8660057-74/gas-halliburton-office#axzz3eZo2231q

BeaverCountyTimes:LTE:MarcellusShaleCoalitionopposesWolfplan
http://www.timesonline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/marcellus-shale-coalition-opposes-wolf-plan/article_6cefcc50-1e72-11e5-b9da5b1a1d126970.html/?REFER-MI=Opinion

MunicipalPensions

PhiladelphiaInquirer:Wolf:ReformPa.'slocalpensionplansorwe'llcutoffstateaid
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/Wolf-Immediate-reform-for-Pas-3240-local-pensions.html

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Stateauditorgeneraldeliversmunicipalpensionrecommendations
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/06/30/State-auditor-general-delivers-municipal-pension-recommendations/stories/201506300268

Times-Tr bune:Governortaskforcecallsfortighteningcontrolofunderfundedpensionfunds
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/governor-task-force-calls-for-tightening-control-of-underfunded-pension-funds-1.1905900

AP:Pennsylvania'sauditorrecommendsmunicipalpensionreforms
http://www.centredaily.com/2015/06/30/4816710 pennsylvanias-auditor-recommends.html?rh=1

DepartmentNews

PatriotNews:Withnomoneyfordrugrehab,'somepeoplejustdisappear'
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/drug rehabilitation money shor.html#incart river

ReadingEagle:Op-EdbySec.RussellRedding:Agindustriesmuststartnowtoclosethecomingworkforcegap
http://readingeagle.com/berks-country/article/ag-industires-must-start-now-to-close-the-coming-workforce-gap#sthash.PSVb0zW3.dpuf

ForConstructionPros:PR:PennsylvaniaDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentSecretaryToursCurrySupply
http://www.forconstructionpros.com/press release/12088570/pennsylvania-department-of-community-and-economic-development-secretary-

tours-curry-supply

BillSignings

PhiladelphiaInquirer:Newbillwouldmodifybackgroundchecks
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150701 New bill would modify background checks.html

TimesLeader:WolfsignsbillforMoonLaketransfertoDCNR
http://timesleader.com/top-stories/371347/wolf-signs-bill-for-moon-lake-transfer-to-dcnr

PhiladelphiaInquirer:BilloncyberbullyingsenttoWolf
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150701 Bill on cyber bullying sent to Wolf.html#eocs2HVBhAAgfHgc.99

PhiladelphiaMagazine:YourPhoneBillIsAbouttoGoUp
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/06/30/pa-phone-bills-increase-911-calls/#b2V1Sv6dKO966TSR.99

Same-SexMarriageRuling

Roxborough-ManayunkPatch:Gov.WolfChangesFacebookProfilePhotoToCelebrateGayMarriage
http://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/gov-wolf-changes-facebook-profile-photo-celebrate-gay-marriage

DeathPenalty

YorkDailyRecord:Editorial:Deathpenaltymoratoriummakessense
http://www.ydr.com/opinion/ci 28402104/death-penalty-moratorium-makes-sense-ydr-opinion

MedicalMarijuana

LNP:Researchersreviewmedicalmarijuanastudies,sayNotsofast
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/researchers-review-medical-marijuana-studies-say-not-so-fast/article 48be47d0-1f2b-11e5-bcaa9770ad10d24a.html

PatriotNews:Pa.medicalmarijuanaleaderdoubtsthereissecretdeal

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/sb 3 folmer leach baker reed.html#incart river

PatriotNews:Marsicomedicalmarijuanabillwouldn'tgrowgovernment
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/folmer leach sb 3.html

AGKane

Tribune-Review:EmployeewhowrotelettersupportingKathleenKanegot$11,000raise
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8659218-74/story#ixzz3eaGyfaSz

PittsburghPost-Gazette:EmployeedefendedAttorneyGeneralKane,gotpromotion
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/07/01/AG-employee-who-defended-Kane-got-a-raise/stories/201507010072

LetterstotheEditor

ChambersburgPublicOpinion:Cleanenergyjobs
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/opinion/ci 28406109/letter-clean-energy-jobs

PatriotNews:CommonwealthFoundation:Student-basedformulabestforPennsylvania'spublicschoolchildren
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/education funding in pennsylva.html#incart 2box opinion

Tribune-Review:CommonwealthFoundation:Redoingeducationfunding
http://triblive.com/opinion/letters/8612203-74/funding-education-harmless#axzz3eden4Jq9

YorkDailyRecord:Wolfoffbaseonnursinghomefunding
http://www.ydr.com/letters/ci 28406522/wolf-off-base-nursing-home-funding-letter

SunburyDailyItem:Saynotogastax
http://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/say-no-to-gas-tax/article 317fef1e-1f68-11e5-9dfd-c388c0d4abf6.html

Capitolwire:WolfvetoesstatebudgetafterflurryoflegislativeactivityonTuesday.
ByChrisComisac
BureauChief
Capitolwire

HARRISBURG(June30)MakingthesameargumentshisadministrationhassincelegislativeRepublicansunveiledtheirbudgetplan
lastweek,Gov.TomWolfTuesdayeveningsaidhewouldvetotheentirestatebudgetbillsenttohimafewhoursearlierbytheGeneral
Assembly.
ItswhatIfearedItdoesnotwork,saidWolf,arguingtheGOP-developedbillisbuiltongimmicks,smoke-and-mirrorsandkicking
thecandowntheroad.
Thegovernor,listingwhyhewouldvetothebill,saidthebudgetbillsmathdoesntwork,anditdoesntincludeenougheducation
funding,aseverancetaxonnaturalgasorpropertytaxrelief.
Thevetowouldrepresentthefirstfullbudgetvetosince,atleast,theadventofthemodernLegislatureinPennsylvania.
HesaidheextendedaninvitationtolegislativeleadersforameetingonWednesdayat2p.m.duringwhichhehopestobeginanew
conversation.
OnMarch3,Wolfsaidofhisbudgetproposal:Today,Ilaidoutmyplan,andImgoingtofightforit.Irecognizethatsomeofyouwont
agreewithallorpartsofit,andIrecognizethatweregoingtohavearobustconversation.Thatshowourdemocracyworks.Butifyou
dontagreewithmyideas,hereismyrequest:pleasecomewithyourownideas.
OnTuesday,whenurginganaffirmativevotetosendaRepublican-developedstatebudgettothegovernor,SenateMajorityLeaderJake
Corman,paraphrasingWolf,said,Thegovernorchallengedus,onhisbudgetaddressday,thatifyoudontlikethis[his]plan,okay,
thenwhat?
Afairchallengeitsanabsolutelyfairchallengefromthegovernorsothisisthenwhat,saidCormanaboutHouseBill1192,the
GeneralAppropriationsbilleventuallyapprovedbytheSenateTuesday,onavoteof30-19,andsenttoWolf.
Withplentyoftimetospare,theGeneralAssemblysenttothegovernorsdesktheGeneralAppropriationsbillanditsimplementing
legislation,whichproposestospendnearly$30.2billioninthefiscalyearthatstartsJuly1.
TheGAbillwonapprovalatapproximately5:23p.m.,whiletheFiscalCode,whichimplementsthespendingproposedwithintheGAbill,
wasapprovedonconcurrenceintheSenateat7:43p.m.
TheGOP-controlledLegislature,withlittle-to-noassistancefromGeneralAssemblyDemocrats,senttothegovernorthosebills,aswell
asliquorprivatizationlegislation,anEducationCodebill,apensionbillandthepreferredappropriationsbillsthatfundvariousstate
governmentoperations(SenateBills814through818).
Toreadaboutthelegislativeeffortsthatgottheliquorprivatizationandpensionbillstothegovernor,CLICKHERE,andformoreabout
theEducationCode,CLICKHERE.
Stillawaitingvotesarethenon-preferredappropriationsbillsthatfundPennsylvaniasstate-relateduniversitiesandtheUniversityof
PennsylvaniaVeterinaryCollege.
TheSenatedebatedthroughoutthedayregardingtheGeneralAppropriationsandFiscalCodebills,eventuallyvotingalongpartylines30-19-onbothtosendthosebillstothegovernor.
SenateAppropriationsCommitteeMajorityChairmanPatBrowne,R-Lehigh,saidPennsylvaniaisastateatacrossroadsandthatits
economicpotentialisoftenpassedoverduetoanti-competitivetaxesandpublicfiscalpolicies.
Brownesaidthegovernorsbudgetwouldrequiremoretaxes,increasingthetaxburdenonPennsylvaniascitizensandbusinesses,
and,ultimatelynotproducetheeconomicopportunitiesthegovernorpromises,andinsteadhampereconomicgrowth.
HesaidHB1192addressesthestates$1.25billionstructuraldeficitwithoutraisingtaxes,andstillprovidesincreasedfundingforahost
ofvitalprogramsandservices,including$200millionforbasicandhighereducation.
BrownesaidHB1192isabletoaccomplishthatthroughreasonablebudgetpracticesandpolicieswhichareacceptedandwidely
utilizedtomanagebudgetaryrevenueandexpendituresthatmeetexpectationsoffiduciariesandtaxpayers."
Browne,anaccountantbytrade,explainedfurther:Thesepoliciesincludeprudentcashmanagement,usingunencumberedand
unappropriatedendingbalancesinvariousfundstomeetourcurrentobligations,lapsingunappropriatedandunexpendedfundsfrom
priorfiscalyears,utilizingcapitalizedinterestsandcapitalassetdebtrefinancingtoaccommodatecurrent-yearprojectedexpenditures,
quantifyingandrealizingvalueintheprivatesectoroftheCommonwealthsvaluableandunencumberedlong-termassets,replacing
Commonwealthfundswitheligiblefederalfundstosatisfyjointstateandfederalprogramobligations,adoptingreasonablechangesin
cashandaccrualbasesexpenditurerecognitionpolicies,strengtheningcaseloadandactuarialrateestimatesinhealthcareandlongtermcareprograms,truing-upestimatesofcostsforemployeesalariesandbenefitsandreducingprojectedneedingeneral
administrationandITservices.
Allofthesepractices,alloftheseprocedures-evenforpublicjurisdictionswithcompetitiverevenueportfoliosrelativetoours-are
absolutelypreferableandmustbechosenbeforedecisionsaremadetotakeonadditionalinvestmentriskduetohigherprivatesector
costsandtaxes.

Foralessjargonyinterpretation,CLICKHEREandtoreadaboutthebudgetseducationproposals,CLICKHERE.
SenateDemocratsdistilledBrownesstatementstomean,intheirownwords,theGOPplanisbuiltongimmicksandnon-recurring
revenues,failstospendenoughmoneyanddoesntaddresstheissueofpropertytaxreform.Thosecriticismsweresimilartothose
theyofferedwhentheGOPunveileditsbudgetlatelastweekandonSundayeveningintheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.
ThebudgetpackagethatislikelytobepushedthroughtodayisnotarealbudgetIthinkweallknowthat,saidSen.RobTeplitz,DDauphin.Itsnotrealbecauseitsbasedontricksandideology.Itsalsonotrealbecausethereisntapersoninthisbuildingwho
actuallybelievesitsgoingtobeenactedintolaw.Weallknowwearegoingthroughthetheatricsofpassingabudgetthatwillbe
passedlargelyalongpartisanlines,onlytoberejectedbythegovernor.
Sen.JudySchwank,D-Berks,saiditsdisappointingthebudgetproposaldoesntdoanythingtoloweroreliminatepropertytaxes.
TheyretiredofwaitingandImtiredofwaitingaswell,saidSchwankofherconstituentswhowanttoseepropertytaxrelief.
SeveralDemocratssaidnotraisingtaxesforincreasededucationspendingresultsinpropertytaxincreasesbyschooldistricts.
Propertytaxreform,whichdoesntneedtobepassedinconjunctionwiththestatebudget,hasbeenthesubjectofdiscussionformany
years,buteffortsweregivenaboostwhenWolfofferedhisownplan.Inadditiontothegovernorsplan,HouseRepublicans(CLICK
HEREtoreadaboutacomparisonoftheWolfandHouseGOPplan)andSenateDemocratshaveofferedseparateproposals.The
HouseGOPplanwasapprovedinMayandhasbeenintheSenateawaitingaction.
SenatePresidentProTemJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson,saiditseasytovotenoonabudgetandgohome,andsaidthegovernorshould
signtheplan.Wolf,laterTuesdaynight,didntlistentothatadvice,deliveringhisvetototheLegislature.
Ongoinghome,bothchambersagreedbyresolutionthatwhentheyadjournJune30theywouldreturnlaterintheyear:TheHouse,on
August25,andtheSenate,onSeptember21.
Ofcourse,ifadealcanbereachedbetweenthegovernorandRepublicanleaders,thechamberscouldreturnsooner.
Wolfsaidhehopedthetwochamberswouldreturnsoonerratherthanlater.RepublicanleadersmightnotbetoowillingtograntWolf's
wish.
-30-

Capitolwire:LegislaturepassesEducationCodebill,Wolfvetoesit.
ByChristenSmith
StaffReporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June30)RepublicansapprovedanEducationCodebillTuesdaythatGov.TomWolfpromptlyvetoedperhaps
representingthegovernor'sbiggestdisappointmentsofarthisbudgetseason.
Thelegislation,HouseBill762,containstheauthorizinglanguagenecessarytodistribute$10.9billioninpubliceducationsubsidies
containedwithinthestate'sannualbudgetbill.TheGOP-craftedplanbumpsspendingby$370million,including$100millionforbasic
education,$30millionearlyeducationand$20millionforspecialeducation.
Unfortunately,it'schumpchangetoWolf.
"ThisbudgetiswhatIfeared,"hetoldaroomfullofreportersTuesdayevening,lessthanhouraftertheGeneralAssemblysentthelast
budget-relatedbilltohisdesk."Thisisabudgetthatactuallydoesn'twork.Itsimplydoesn'twork.Themathdoesn'twork.It'snot
balanced.Itdoesn'tinvestinthechallengesthatPennsylvanian'sfaceandweallknowPennsylvaniafaces,especiallywhenitcomesto
education."
DuringhisMarch3budgetaddressontheHousefloor,thenewly-electedDemocraticgovernoraskedthelargestRepublicanmajorityin
sixdecadestosupporthisfour-yearplantoboosteducationspendingby$2billionontopofthe$1billioninexpenditureshe
proposesfortheupcomingfiscalyearaloneessentiallyrestoringtheRendell-eraspendingpoliciesthatwereaffordedwiththeinflux
oflong-extinctfederalstimulusmoney,andincreasingthestate'sshareofeducationfundingfrom35percentto50percent.
Andhewantedtouseaprojected$1billioninrevenuegeneratedfroma5-percentMarcellusShaleseverancetaxtodoit.
ItwasaplanthatbymanyaccountswasdeadonarrivalwithLegislativeRepublicans,whorejectedanytaxincreasesand
insteadfocusedtheireffortsonliquorprivatizationandpensionreform.TheHouseonJune1calledupthegovernorstaxrevenue
proposal,whichwasdefeatedunanimouslyinthechamberCLICKHEREtoreadmoreaboutthat.
But,aslateaslastweek,Wolfappearedtoholdouthopeforhishistoriceducationinvestmentproposals$400millionforbasic
education,$120millionforearlyeducationand$100millionforspecialeducationevenasRepublicanleaderscautionedagainstsuch

optimism,committingonlytoanincreaseineducationfunding.
AnydoubtthatWolfwouldn'tgethiswaywassquashedFridaywhenHouseandSenateleadersannouncedajointbudgetagreement
thatcarvedoutroughly25percentofthefundingthegovernorrequestedthreemonthsearlier,aswellasaPlanConbondstrategythat
wouldinfuseroughly$5.4billionintoschooldistrictsandsavethestate$300millioninFY2015-16.
TheWolfadministrationhaswrittenoffthestrategyassmokeandmirrors,whileSenateMajorityLeaderJayCosta,D-Allegheny,said
hiscaucuswouldbeopentoaPlanConbondthatwasn'ttiedtothebudget.
ThedetailsoftheborrowingstrategyappearinHB762,whichincludesthecreationofaPlanConAdvisoryCommitteetoreviewand
makerecommendationsregardingthestate'sschoolconstructionprojectreimbursementprogrambyFebruary1,2016.
Meanwhile,LegislativeRepublicansslippednotone,buttwofundingformulasintothebill:thespecialeducationfundingformulaenacted
in2014throughtheFiscalCodeandthebasiceducationfundingformulaannouncedearlierthismonththelatterofwhich,Wolfand
LegislativeDemocratsinsisted,hadnobusinessbeingimplementeduntilFY2016-17.
Republicansignoredthatrequest,too,sayingtherewasnogoodreasontowaitonenactingthewidely-supportedandhighly-anticipated
formulaforanotheryear.
Anotherlast-yearholdoverfromtheFiscalCodewoundupintheEducationCodebill,too:$1.2milliontocreatearuralregional
communitycollegeinthenorthwesterncornerofthestatealalastsession'sSenateBill1000,sponsoredbySenatePresidentPro
TemporeJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson.
AbillcodifyingformerGov.TomCorbett'sReadytoSucceedscholarshipprogramwasalsosenttoWolf'sdeskTuesdayamidthe
budgethubbub.Lastyear,lawmakersslippeditintotheFiscalCodeuntilthelegislation,SenateBill329,waspassedintolaw.
DespitelambastingfromHouseandSenateDemocrats,RepublicansintheHouseandSenatepassedthebillonvotesof107-88and
30-19,respectively,alittlemorethanthreehoursbeforethemidnightdeadline.
-30-

Capitolwire:Legislaturemakeshistoryputtingliquor,pensionbillsonWolf'sdesk.
ByKevinZwickandChrisComisac
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June30)TheRepublican-controlledLegislaturemadehistoryTuesdaywiththeapprovaloflegislationthatwould
overhaulmajorfacetsofstategovernment.
TheGeneralAssemblypassedlegislationtoeliminatethePennsylvaniaLiquorControlBoard'spoweroverpricingandproductsof
wineandspirits,andaseparatebilltomovenewlyhiredstateworkersintoadefinedcontributionhybridretirementplan.
Removingstategovernmentfromwineandliquorsaleshasevadedgovernorsfordecades.Govs.TomCorbett,TomRidge,Dick
ThornburghandMiltonShapp,whoalltriedbutfailedtoendtheProhibition-eraliquorsystem,wouldhaverelishedGov.TomWolf's
position.Corbettalsotriedtooverhaulthepensionsystemduringhisfinalyearinoffice.
Instead,Wolf'svetopenawaits,atleastthat'sthehopeofsomeDemocraticlawmakerswhoopposedthebills.Wolftoldreporters
Tuesdayeveninghewillreviewthelegislationbutwouldn'tsaywhetherhewouldvetothebills.
Wolfdoesn'tsupportprivatizingthestatestoresystem,partiallyduetothelossofafewthousandjobs,manyofwhichareunion.
HesupportsmodernizationreformstothesystemkeepingthestateinchargethatarealsobackedbylegislativeDemocrats.
ThisisanhistoricpieceoflegislationthatwillfinallybringPennsylvaniaintothe21stcentury,saidSenatePresidentProTemJoe
Scarnati,R-Jefferson,duringfloordebateaheadoftheSenate'sapprovalofanagreed-toamendedversionofTurzai'splan.Itgives
thepeopleofPennsylvaniawhattheywant.Itgetsthestateoutoftheliquorbusinessonceandforall.
Pasteffortstoremovestatecontroloverwineandhardliquorwerescuttledbyastrangefellowshipoforganizedlabor,social
conservatives,urbanandrurallawmakers,drunk-drivingawarenessgroups.Inrecentyears,sinceRepublicansregainedtheHouse
in2010,Rep.MikeTurzai,R-Allegheny,nowtheHouseSpeaker,hasbeenthetorchbearerfortheliquorpush,eventuallyleadinghis
chambertopassaliquorproposalin2013.
HouseRepublicans,bolsteredbyyoungerconservativeswhodidn'tnecessarilybuyintopastarguments,revealedcracksinthe
coalitionandthatoddfellowshiphasfailedastheargumentstoprivatizetrumpcallstocontrolbooze.
WeworryonthesamesenseaboutprotectingyoungpeoplefromgettingboozeandwetalkabouttheneedforLCBtoenforcethis,
yetthey'retheexactsameboardthatistryingtomaximizesales,saidRep.JimChristiana,R-Beaver.Itisaconflictofinterest.
Thelegislationwouldleadtotheeventualclosingofstate-runliquorstoresasprivateretaillicensees,includinghotels,restaurants,

beerdistributorsanddelis,buyexpandedpermitstosellwineandhardliquor.Itwouldalsoleasethewholesaleoperationfor10
years,withthePLCBcollectingfeesfromprivatewholesalersbasedonhowmuchtheyspendayear.
Thisbillwillcostus4,000jobs.Revenuelossinthemillions.Priceswillgoup,selectionwillgodown,saidHouseDemocratic
LeaderFrankDermody,D-Allegheny.Whatisthereasonwewouldsellwhatisanasset?
LegislativeDemocratsandsomeRepublicansobjectedoverthelossofbetween3,500and4,700statestorejobs.Othersobjected
totheproliferationofalcohol,particularlyaroundcollegecampusesandcities.
Inadditiontoanuisancelocation,we'regonnaaddawholebunchofliquorstores,saidSenateDemocraticWhipTonyWilliams,
D-Philadelphia.We'llhaveliquoroutofcontrol.
AsimilarsentimentwasechoedintheHousebyRep.GeneDiGirolamo,R-Bucks,oneofthefewRepublicansagainstprivatization,
whohasstrongunionbackingandisanadvocatefordrugtreatment.
Iguaranteeit,ourcollegecampuseswillbeaprimetarget,hesaid.Ourcities,inthecityofPhiladelphia,Pittsburgh,andmanyof
ourothercities,anywheretheycanmakethemostprofitfromthesaleofalcoholthat'swherethey'regoingtoputthem.
It'snotwhatIwanttoseePennsylvaniaturninto,headded.
Andatleastonelawmakersaidhedoesn'tmindthecurrentsystem.
Idon'tthinkit'ssuchabigdealnowtogototwoplaces,saidHouseLiquorControlCommitteeDemocraticChairmanPaulCosta,
D-Allegheny,referringtogoingtoastatestoreforliquorandwine,andabeerdistributorforbeer.
Thelegislation,HouseBill466,passedtheSenate27-22andlaterintheHouse113-82.
Analterationofthestatepublicpensions-anotquiteashistoricbutstilldifficulteffortwaslikewiseaccomplishedbythe
Republican-controlledGeneralAssemblyonTuesday.
TheHousefirst,ona106-89vote(11RepublicansjoinedtheDemocratsopposingthebill),andthentheSenateearlyTuesday
evening,ona29-20vote(aparty-line,otherthananovotebySen.StewartGreenleaf,R-Montgomery),approvedSenateBill1,
legislationthatwouldcreateahybriddefinedcontribution/definedbenefitplanintowhichmostnewlyhiredstateandpublicschool
employeeswouldbeenrolled,aswellasmakeapairofchangestohowbenefitsarecalculated,prospectively,forcurrent
employees.
IfsignedintolawbyWolfanuncertainprospectSB1wouldrepresentthefirsttimea401k-typeplanhasbeenimplementedfor
stateandpublicschoolemployees(newones),andararealterationofcurrentemployeesbenefitcalculations.CLICKHEREforthe
detailsaboutthebill.
HouseandSenateRepublicanssaidtheimportanceofSenateBill1sefforttoshiftsomeoftheriskofthestatespublicpensions
fromPennsylvaniastaxpayerstostateandpublicschoolemployeesisessential.
Sayingthehistoricalandrecentdebateaboutpensionreformcanbealotlikearollercoasterwithtalksrangingfromenhancing
benefitstorestrictsystemcostgrowth,andpassionsoftenpushingthosecommentstohyperboleHouseMajorityLeaderDave
Reed,R-Indiana,toldtheHouse:SenateBill1isaproposalthatwillallowustokeepourcommitmenttoourretirees,itsa
proposalthatwillallowourcurrentemployeestokeepthebenefitstructuretheysignedupfor,itsaproposalthatwillstabilizethe
systemfornewemployeesgoingforward,itsaproposalthatwillminimizetheriskforthetaxpayersinthelongtermitstimeto
voteforSenateBill1,itstimetogetoffthisrollercoasterrideandmovethisstateforward.
HouseandSenateDemocratsattackedthebillonahostofissues,butmostfocusedonafewprimaryareas:thelackofimmediate
savings,potentialcourtchallengesandothercostsofswitchingthebenefitplans,thelimitedimpactontheunfundedliability,the
impactonfuturehiresandtheirabilitytosupportthemselvesintheirretirement.
ItsourviewthatthereareresponsiblepensionreformmeasureandirresponsiblepensionreformmeasuresIwouldputSenate
Bill1inthelattercategory,saidSenateMinorityLeaderJayCosta,D-Allegheny,aboutSB1duringanearlyTuesdayevening
meetingoftheSenateRulesCommitteethatultimatelyreportedthebilltotheSenatefloor,onaparty-line11-6vote.
Costasaidaresponsiblemeasureshouldnotaggravatethepensionsystemsunfundedliabilityorimpairthecontractsofcurrent
employees,twothingsheclaimedaredonebySB1.Healsosaidagoodpensionplanwouldprovidethestateandschooldistricts
withpensionpaymentrelief,aswellasensureretirementsecurityforparticipantsinthepensionsystemstwothingshesaidSB1
doesnotdo.
Fairnessisoftenintheeyesofthebeholder,saidRep.WarrenKampf,R-Chester,respondingtocriticisms,similartothose
expressedbyCosta,intheHouse.Andintodaysworlditseemstomethatahybridplanwhichisproperlycrafted,isactually
betterforouremployeesofallkinds.
Kampf,whowastappedbyHouseGOPleaderstoleadhiscaucusfloordebateregardingthelegislation,saiddefinedbenefitplans,
suchastheonescurrentlyprovidedbythestate,shorter-termemployeesareatadisadvantage,whilethoseemployeeswhowork
forextendedperiodsrealizehigherlevelsofretirementbenefits.

Thatsnotfair,butthatshowdefinedbenefitplansoftenaretheyrebackloadedsothelong-termemployee,the30-or35-year
employee,istheonewhosignificantlybenefits,saidKampf,notingthatcurrentemploymenttrendspointtomostworkersnot
stayingwithonejoblongenoughtotrulybenefitfromthestatescurrentretirementbenefitdesign.Hesaidstateworkers,nationally,
staywiththeirjobanaverageofsevenyears.
Cashbalanceplansarebetterforfuturehiresthantheplanwecurrentlyhaveforsomeonethatsinthe[pension]systemfor10or
15or20years,arguedKampf.Headdedthatevenlonger-termemployeeswouldenduphaving50-to60-percentreplacement
income,andwhentheirSocialSecuritybenefitsareaddedwhichhesaidwouldofferanother25-percentor30-percent
replacementincomewouldputthemrightintherangewheretheyneedtobeforretirement.
KampfalsosoughttodispelsomeoftheDemocratsotherarguments,notingtheunfundedliabilitysituationoft-mentionedby
DemocraticspeakersisduetohowtheStateEmployeesRetirementSystemassumedthehybridplanscosttothestate,which
theactuarialnotecriticizedasunderstated,leadingtoanapparentbuterroneous-increaseintheunfundedliability.Andwith
regardtosavings,whilelittle-to-nothinginthenearterm,foranyreform[proposal],especiallyforasystemofthissize,takestime
toimplementitdoesntmeanitsnotworthdoingit.
Thisisnotthedoomsdaywarnedbyothers,saidKampf.
-30-

From:

Stone,Sophie

Senttime:

07/01/201508:52:49AM

To:

Stone,Sophie

Subject:

Governor'sOfficePressClips-July1,2015

Budget:Commentary

Times-Tribune:Editorial:GOPbudgetposturing
http://thetimes-tr bune.com/opinion/gop-budget-posturing-1.1906086

Herald-Standard:SteveHerzenberg:Gov.Wolf'sbudgetwouldbenefitFayetteCounty
http://www.heraldstandard.com/opinion/letters to the editor/gov-wolf-s-budget-would-benefit-fayette-county/article 425c36ce-e9bd-5d2a-a31aba7b5f854cf9.html

YorkDispatch:Op-Ed:LoweringstateCorporateNetIncomeTaxistherightmove
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/viewpoints/ci 28404180/op-ed-lowering-state-corporate-net-income-tax

BeaverCountyTimes:Severallocallegislatorsshareharshremarksaboutbudget
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local news/several-local-legislators-share-harsh-remarks-about-budget/article a96f1794-1e9f-11e5-9252fb7bf53282dc.html/?REFER-MI=News

Tribune-Democrat:Editorial:Lackofstatebudgetisdisappointing
http://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/editorial-lack-of-state-budget-is-disappointing/article_05ecd254-1e96-11e5-be9b-2fd8ca2f45f1.html

Budget:Veto

AP:WolfseekstorestarttalksaftervetoingGOPsbudgetbill
http://www.delcotimes.com/general-news/20150701/wolf-seeks-to-restart-talks-after-vetoing-gops-budget-bill

AP:PennsylvaniagovernorvetoesentireRepublicanbudgetbill
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150630_ap_5ad038859fbb4ed28c38ee2339fcfaec.html#pyQoot0DYP7E5uPz.99

PAIndependent:Wolfsveto,opposingmandatesleavePennsylvaniawithoutbudget
http://paindependent.com/2015/07/wolf-budget-veto/

PatriotNews:Thedefinitionofinsanity?Justanotherdaytheofficeforthe#PaBudgetdebate:Analysis
http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/06/liquor_privatization_pension_r.html#incart_river


PatriotNews:WolfhitsbudgetresetbuttonmuchtoGOP'sdisappointment
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/wolf hits budget reset button.html

PatriotNews:Gov.TomWolfvetoesGOP-passedbudgetbill,bringingbudgetnegotiatorsbacktothetable
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/gov tom wolf vetoes gop-passed.html

PatriotNews:Gov.TomWolfvetoesRepublicanbudgetproposal.Nowwhat?
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/gov tom wolf vetoes republican.html#incart river

PatriotNews:'ThisistheGovernor'sshutdown,'GOPspokesmansaysafterWolfveto:WednesdayMorningCoffee
http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/07/the four videos that explain w.html

MorningCall:DemocraticGov.TomWolfvetoesRepublicans'budget
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-wolf-legislature-budget-veto-0630-20150630-story.html#page=1

Tribune-Review:PennsylvaniaSenatepasses$30.1BGOPbudgetGov.Wolfvetolikely
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8658506-74/state-budget-bill#ixzz3edpUv7IV

PittsburghPost-Gazette:'Thisbudgetissimplynotbalanced':Gov.WolfvetoesRepublicanspendingplan
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/30/Pennsylvania-governor-to-veto-GOP-s-budget-bill/stories/201506300295

PhiladelphiaInquirer:WolfvetoesentireGOPbudget,says'mathdoesn'twork'
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150701 Pa

GOP sends its budget to Gov

Wolf.html#HpTk2TE2MPrGw84J.99

Times-Tribune:WolfquicklyvetoesGOPbudgetplan
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/wolf-quickly-vetoes-gop-budget-plan-1.1906130

ReadingEagle:Analysis:WithWolf'sveto,budgetstalematecouldlastweeks,orlonger
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/analysis-pennsylvania-state-budget-stalemate-could-last-weeks-or-longer#sthash.alvWuUTu.dpuf

WITF:Gov.WolfVetoesGOP'sEntireBudgetBill
http://wesa.fm/post/gov-wolf-vetoes-gops-entire-budget-bill

PhiladelphiaMagazine:WolfVetoesGOPBudget
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/07/01/wolf-vetoes-gop-budget/


PLSReporter:Gov.WolftovetoentireGOP-craftedbudget,callsproposalamess
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/811/Gov-Wolf-to-veto-entire-GOP-crafted-budget-calls-proposal-%E2%80%9Camess%E2%80%9D.aspx

PLSReporter:Whatdoesavetosay?
http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/810/What-does-a-veto-say.aspx

WBRE:VIDEO:GovernorTomWolfVetoesGOP-PassedBudgetBill
http://www.pahomepage.com/story/d/story/governor-tom-wolf-vetoes-gop-passed-budget-bill/34754/Yf0v-QnjvEitMNUWuucVdw

WNEP:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesEntireBudget
http://wnep.com/2015/06/30/governor-wolf-vetoes-entire-budget/

KDKA:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesEntireRepublicanBudgetBill,LiquorLegislationUpInTheAir
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/06/30/governor-wolf-vetoes-entire-republican-budget-bill/

ABC27:VIDEO:GovernorWolfvetoesbudgetpassedbyRepublican-ledlegislature
http://abc27.com/2015/06/30/governor-wolf-vetoes-budget-passed-by-republican-led-legislature/

FOX43:VIDEO:Gov.Wolfvetoesbudgetbill
http://fox43.com/2015/06/30/gov-wolf-vetoes-budget-bill/

WGAL:VIDEO:GovernorvetoesRepublicanbudget
http://www.wgal.com/news/governor-vetoes-republican-budget/33899212

WTAJ:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesBudget
http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/governor-wolf-vetoes-budget/23544/7 ezbOUl4Emg88Vq7U10ww

KYW:VIDEO:GovernorWolfVetoesEntirePa.Budget
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/06/30/pa-senate-sends-budget-to-governor/

LiquorPrivatization,Pensions

PatriotNews:Whatliquorprivatizationwoulddoandnotdoforconsumers
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/what liquor privatization woul.html


PatriotNews:Housesendshistoricliquorprivatizationbilltogovernortosign
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/house sends historic liquor pr.html

Tribune-Review:Inhistoricvote,Pa.Senateapprovesbillsellingstateliquorstores
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8659362-74/liquor-state-wine#axzz3eUZhKQf3

AP:PennsylvaniaSenateapprovesbudget,liquorprivatizationbills
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/30/Liquor-bill-passes-Senate-amid-budget-deadline-day-flurry-1/stories/201506300259

PatriotNews:PennsylvaniaLegislaturesendspublicpensionreformtoGov.TomWolf
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/pensions pennsylvania.html

ReadingEagle:Berkslawmakerssoundoffonbudget,liquorandpensions
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/berks-lawmakers-sound-off-on-budget-liquor-and-pensions#sthash.MePk3SuH.dpuf

Education:FundingFormula

ReadingEagle:ReadingSchoolDistrictemergesasbigwinnerinnewfundingformula
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-school-district-emerges-as-big-winner-in-new-funding-formula#.VZKpPBtVhBd

ReadingEagle:Editorial:Legislatureshouldfollowequitablesubsidyproposal
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/editorial-legislature-should-follow-equitable-subsidy-proposal#.VZKwVBtVhBd

DelcoDailyTimes:Editorial:Stateneedstopushfairschoolfunding
http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20150629/editorial-state-needs-to-push-fair-school-funding

Newsworks:MakingsenseofPa.schoolfunding:budgets,formulasandstalemates
http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/item/83615-making-sense-of-pa-school-funding-budgets-formulas-and-stalemates

PhiladelphiaTribune:Phila.teachersproteststateschoolfunding
http://www.phillytrib.com/news/phila-teachers-protest-state-school-funding/article 8643e614-b976-577d-a23e-8711cfce9121.html

Tribune-Democrat:Analysis:Areaschoolsmayseeshrinkingfundsasnewformulagainsmomentumtobecomelaw
http://www.tr bdem.com/news/latest news/analysis-area-schools-may-see-shrinking-funds-as-new-formula/article 53728acc-1fa5-11e5-b4ad9f97b3063491.html

Education:DistrictBudgets

PAIndependent:CityhasnoideahowPhiladelphiaschoolsspenditstaxes
http://paindependent.com/2015/06/city-has-no-idea-how-philadelphia-schools-spend-its-taxes/

PhiladelphiaInquirer:SRCadoptsbudget,butquestionsremain
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20150701_SRC_adopts_budget__but_questions_remain.html

PhiladelphiaDailyNews:SRCadopts$2.8billionbudget,butwithacaveat
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150701_SRC_adopts__2_8_billion_budget__but_with_a_caveat.html#A3wRUz2bYgRHjsEO.99

NewCastleNews:NewCastlebudgetbalancehingesonstatefunds
http://www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_news/new-castle-budget-balance-hinges-on-state-funds/article_4a415ad2-2280-50b7-b3e8aaf9d48517b9.html

Education:HigherEd

PittsburghPost-Gazette:StateSystemexpectingenrollmentdecline
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2015/06/30/State-System-extends-line-of-credit-to-Cheyney-University/stories/201506300256

SeveranceTax,Fracking

TimesLeader:Editorial:Pipelineproposalsleavearealandownersfeelinguncertain,isolated
http://timesleader.com/opinion/editorial/371148/our-opinion-pipeline-proposals-leave-area-landowners-feeling-uncertain-isolated

PoconoRecord:Editorial:Publicdeservesmoreinformationondrilling-relatedhealthcomplaints
http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20150629/OPINION/150629438/101041/OPINION

PatriotNews:Pa.lawmakersmovetoblocknewrulesonoilandgasdrilling
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/pa_lawmakers_amend_fiscal_code.html

PatriotNews:HouseRepublicanstokeepamendmentblockingnewrulesfordrilling,evenafterveto
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/house_republicans_to_keep_amen.html#incart_river


Tribune-Review:DavidConti:Addingitup
http://blog.triblive.com/flowback/2015/06/29/adding-it-up/

Tribune-Review:HalliburtonclosingIndianaCountyoffice
http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8660057-74/gas-halliburton-office#axzz3eZo2231q

BeaverCountyTimes:LTE:MarcellusShaleCoalitionopposesWolfplan
http://www.timesonline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/marcellus-shale-coalition-opposes-wolf-plan/article_6cefcc50-1e72-11e5-b9da5b1a1d126970.html/?REFER-MI=Opinion

MunicipalPensions

PhiladelphiaInquirer:Wolf:ReformPa.'slocalpensionplansorwe'llcutoffstateaid
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-phillydeals/Wolf-Immediate-reform-for-Pas-3240-local-pensions.html

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Stateauditorgeneraldeliversmunicipalpensionrecommendations
http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2015/06/30/State-auditor-general-delivers-municipal-pension-recommendations/stories/201506300268

Times-Tr bune:Governortaskforcecallsfortighteningcontrolofunderfundedpensionfunds
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/governor-task-force-calls-for-tightening-control-of-underfunded-pension-funds-1.1905900

AP:Pennsylvania'sauditorrecommendsmunicipalpensionreforms
http://www.centredaily.com/2015/06/30/4816710 pennsylvanias-auditor-recommends.html?rh=1

DepartmentNews

PatriotNews:Withnomoneyfordrugrehab,'somepeoplejustdisappear'
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/drug rehabilitation money shor.html#incart river

ReadingEagle:Op-EdbySec.RussellRedding:Agindustriesmuststartnowtoclosethecomingworkforcegap
http://readingeagle.com/berks-country/article/ag-industires-must-start-now-to-close-the-coming-workforce-gap#sthash.PSVb0zW3.dpuf

ForConstructionPros:PR:PennsylvaniaDepartmentofCommunityandEconomicDevelopmentSecretaryToursCurrySupply
http://www.forconstructionpros.com/press release/12088570/pennsylvania-department-of-community-and-economic-development-secretary-

tours-curry-supply

BillSignings

PhiladelphiaInquirer:Newbillwouldmodifybackgroundchecks
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150701 New bill would modify background checks.html

TimesLeader:WolfsignsbillforMoonLaketransfertoDCNR
http://timesleader.com/top-stories/371347/wolf-signs-bill-for-moon-lake-transfer-to-dcnr

PhiladelphiaInquirer:BilloncyberbullyingsenttoWolf
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150701 Bill on cyber bullying sent to Wolf.html#eocs2HVBhAAgfHgc.99

PhiladelphiaMagazine:YourPhoneBillIsAbouttoGoUp
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/06/30/pa-phone-bills-increase-911-calls/#b2V1Sv6dKO966TSR.99

Same-SexMarriageRuling

Roxborough-ManayunkPatch:Gov.WolfChangesFacebookProfilePhotoToCelebrateGayMarriage
http://patch.com/pennsylvania/roxborough/gov-wolf-changes-facebook-profile-photo-celebrate-gay-marriage

DeathPenalty

YorkDailyRecord:Editorial:Deathpenaltymoratoriummakessense
http://www.ydr.com/opinion/ci 28402104/death-penalty-moratorium-makes-sense-ydr-opinion

MedicalMarijuana

LNP:Researchersreviewmedicalmarijuanastudies,sayNotsofast
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/researchers-review-medical-marijuana-studies-say-not-so-fast/article 48be47d0-1f2b-11e5-bcaa9770ad10d24a.html

PatriotNews:Pa.medicalmarijuanaleaderdoubtsthereissecretdeal

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/sb 3 folmer leach baker reed.html#incart river

PatriotNews:Marsicomedicalmarijuanabillwouldn'tgrowgovernment
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/folmer leach sb 3.html

AGKane

Tribune-Review:EmployeewhowrotelettersupportingKathleenKanegot$11,000raise
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8659218-74/story#ixzz3eaGyfaSz

PittsburghPost-Gazette:EmployeedefendedAttorneyGeneralKane,gotpromotion
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/07/01/AG-employee-who-defended-Kane-got-a-raise/stories/201507010072

LetterstotheEditor

ChambersburgPublicOpinion:Cleanenergyjobs
http://www.publicopiniononline.com/opinion/ci 28406109/letter-clean-energy-jobs

PatriotNews:CommonwealthFoundation:Student-basedformulabestforPennsylvania'spublicschoolchildren
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/education funding in pennsylva.html#incart 2box opinion

Tribune-Review:CommonwealthFoundation:Redoingeducationfunding
http://triblive.com/opinion/letters/8612203-74/funding-education-harmless#axzz3eden4Jq9

YorkDailyRecord:Wolfoffbaseonnursinghomefunding
http://www.ydr.com/letters/ci 28406522/wolf-off-base-nursing-home-funding-letter

SunburyDailyItem:Saynotogastax
http://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/say-no-to-gas-tax/article 317fef1e-1f68-11e5-9dfd-c388c0d4abf6.html

Capitolwire:WolfvetoesstatebudgetafterflurryoflegislativeactivityonTuesday.
ByChrisComisac
BureauChief
Capitolwire

HARRISBURG(June30)MakingthesameargumentshisadministrationhassincelegislativeRepublicansunveiledtheirbudgetplan
lastweek,Gov.TomWolfTuesdayeveningsaidhewouldvetotheentirestatebudgetbillsenttohimafewhoursearlierbytheGeneral
Assembly.
ItswhatIfearedItdoesnotwork,saidWolf,arguingtheGOP-developedbillisbuiltongimmicks,smoke-and-mirrorsandkicking
thecandowntheroad.
Thegovernor,listingwhyhewouldvetothebill,saidthebudgetbillsmathdoesntwork,anditdoesntincludeenougheducation
funding,aseverancetaxonnaturalgasorpropertytaxrelief.
Thevetowouldrepresentthefirstfullbudgetvetosince,atleast,theadventofthemodernLegislatureinPennsylvania.
HesaidheextendedaninvitationtolegislativeleadersforameetingonWednesdayat2p.m.duringwhichhehopestobeginanew
conversation.
OnMarch3,Wolfsaidofhisbudgetproposal:Today,Ilaidoutmyplan,andImgoingtofightforit.Irecognizethatsomeofyouwont
agreewithallorpartsofit,andIrecognizethatweregoingtohavearobustconversation.Thatshowourdemocracyworks.Butifyou
dontagreewithmyideas,hereismyrequest:pleasecomewithyourownideas.
OnTuesday,whenurginganaffirmativevotetosendaRepublican-developedstatebudgettothegovernor,SenateMajorityLeaderJake
Corman,paraphrasingWolf,said,Thegovernorchallengedus,onhisbudgetaddressday,thatifyoudontlikethis[his]plan,okay,
thenwhat?
Afairchallengeitsanabsolutelyfairchallengefromthegovernorsothisisthenwhat,saidCormanaboutHouseBill1192,the
GeneralAppropriationsbilleventuallyapprovedbytheSenateTuesday,onavoteof30-19,andsenttoWolf.
Withplentyoftimetospare,theGeneralAssemblysenttothegovernorsdesktheGeneralAppropriationsbillanditsimplementing
legislation,whichproposestospendnearly$30.2billioninthefiscalyearthatstartsJuly1.
TheGAbillwonapprovalatapproximately5:23p.m.,whiletheFiscalCode,whichimplementsthespendingproposedwithintheGAbill,
wasapprovedonconcurrenceintheSenateat7:43p.m.
TheGOP-controlledLegislature,withlittle-to-noassistancefromGeneralAssemblyDemocrats,senttothegovernorthosebills,aswell
asliquorprivatizationlegislation,anEducationCodebill,apensionbillandthepreferredappropriationsbillsthatfundvariousstate
governmentoperations(SenateBills814through818).
Toreadaboutthelegislativeeffortsthatgottheliquorprivatizationandpensionbillstothegovernor,CLICKHERE,andformoreabout
theEducationCode,CLICKHERE.
Stillawaitingvotesarethenon-preferredappropriationsbillsthatfundPennsylvaniasstate-relateduniversitiesandtheUniversityof
PennsylvaniaVeterinaryCollege.
TheSenatedebatedthroughoutthedayregardingtheGeneralAppropriationsandFiscalCodebills,eventuallyvotingalongpartylines30-19-onbothtosendthosebillstothegovernor.
SenateAppropriationsCommitteeMajorityChairmanPatBrowne,R-Lehigh,saidPennsylvaniaisastateatacrossroadsandthatits
economicpotentialisoftenpassedoverduetoanti-competitivetaxesandpublicfiscalpolicies.
Brownesaidthegovernorsbudgetwouldrequiremoretaxes,increasingthetaxburdenonPennsylvaniascitizensandbusinesses,
and,ultimatelynotproducetheeconomicopportunitiesthegovernorpromises,andinsteadhampereconomicgrowth.
HesaidHB1192addressesthestates$1.25billionstructuraldeficitwithoutraisingtaxes,andstillprovidesincreasedfundingforahost
ofvitalprogramsandservices,including$200millionforbasicandhighereducation.
BrownesaidHB1192isabletoaccomplishthatthroughreasonablebudgetpracticesandpolicieswhichareacceptedandwidely
utilizedtomanagebudgetaryrevenueandexpendituresthatmeetexpectationsoffiduciariesandtaxpayers."
Browne,anaccountantbytrade,explainedfurther:Thesepoliciesincludeprudentcashmanagement,usingunencumberedand
unappropriatedendingbalancesinvariousfundstomeetourcurrentobligations,lapsingunappropriatedandunexpendedfundsfrom
priorfiscalyears,utilizingcapitalizedinterestsandcapitalassetdebtrefinancingtoaccommodatecurrent-yearprojectedexpenditures,
quantifyingandrealizingvalueintheprivatesectoroftheCommonwealthsvaluableandunencumberedlong-termassets,replacing
Commonwealthfundswitheligiblefederalfundstosatisfyjointstateandfederalprogramobligations,adoptingreasonablechangesin
cashandaccrualbasesexpenditurerecognitionpolicies,strengtheningcaseloadandactuarialrateestimatesinhealthcareandlongtermcareprograms,truing-upestimatesofcostsforemployeesalariesandbenefitsandreducingprojectedneedingeneral
administrationandITservices.
Allofthesepractices,alloftheseprocedures-evenforpublicjurisdictionswithcompetitiverevenueportfoliosrelativetoours-are
absolutelypreferableandmustbechosenbeforedecisionsaremadetotakeonadditionalinvestmentriskduetohigherprivatesector
costsandtaxes.

Foralessjargonyinterpretation,CLICKHEREandtoreadaboutthebudgetseducationproposals,CLICKHERE.
SenateDemocratsdistilledBrownesstatementstomean,intheirownwords,theGOPplanisbuiltongimmicksandnon-recurring
revenues,failstospendenoughmoneyanddoesntaddresstheissueofpropertytaxreform.Thosecriticismsweresimilartothose
theyofferedwhentheGOPunveileditsbudgetlatelastweekandonSundayeveningintheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.
ThebudgetpackagethatislikelytobepushedthroughtodayisnotarealbudgetIthinkweallknowthat,saidSen.RobTeplitz,DDauphin.Itsnotrealbecauseitsbasedontricksandideology.Itsalsonotrealbecausethereisntapersoninthisbuildingwho
actuallybelievesitsgoingtobeenactedintolaw.Weallknowwearegoingthroughthetheatricsofpassingabudgetthatwillbe
passedlargelyalongpartisanlines,onlytoberejectedbythegovernor.
Sen.JudySchwank,D-Berks,saiditsdisappointingthebudgetproposaldoesntdoanythingtoloweroreliminatepropertytaxes.
TheyretiredofwaitingandImtiredofwaitingaswell,saidSchwankofherconstituentswhowanttoseepropertytaxrelief.
SeveralDemocratssaidnotraisingtaxesforincreasededucationspendingresultsinpropertytaxincreasesbyschooldistricts.
Propertytaxreform,whichdoesntneedtobepassedinconjunctionwiththestatebudget,hasbeenthesubjectofdiscussionformany
years,buteffortsweregivenaboostwhenWolfofferedhisownplan.Inadditiontothegovernorsplan,HouseRepublicans(CLICK
HEREtoreadaboutacomparisonoftheWolfandHouseGOPplan)andSenateDemocratshaveofferedseparateproposals.The
HouseGOPplanwasapprovedinMayandhasbeenintheSenateawaitingaction.
SenatePresidentProTemJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson,saiditseasytovotenoonabudgetandgohome,andsaidthegovernorshould
signtheplan.Wolf,laterTuesdaynight,didntlistentothatadvice,deliveringhisvetototheLegislature.
Ongoinghome,bothchambersagreedbyresolutionthatwhentheyadjournJune30theywouldreturnlaterintheyear:TheHouse,on
August25,andtheSenate,onSeptember21.
Ofcourse,ifadealcanbereachedbetweenthegovernorandRepublicanleaders,thechamberscouldreturnsooner.
Wolfsaidhehopedthetwochamberswouldreturnsoonerratherthanlater.RepublicanleadersmightnotbetoowillingtograntWolf's
wish.
-30-

Capitolwire:LegislaturepassesEducationCodebill,Wolfvetoesit.
ByChristenSmith
StaffReporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June30)RepublicansapprovedanEducationCodebillTuesdaythatGov.TomWolfpromptlyvetoedperhaps
representingthegovernor'sbiggestdisappointmentsofarthisbudgetseason.
Thelegislation,HouseBill762,containstheauthorizinglanguagenecessarytodistribute$10.9billioninpubliceducationsubsidies
containedwithinthestate'sannualbudgetbill.TheGOP-craftedplanbumpsspendingby$370million,including$100millionforbasic
education,$30millionearlyeducationand$20millionforspecialeducation.
Unfortunately,it'schumpchangetoWolf.
"ThisbudgetiswhatIfeared,"hetoldaroomfullofreportersTuesdayevening,lessthanhouraftertheGeneralAssemblysentthelast
budget-relatedbilltohisdesk."Thisisabudgetthatactuallydoesn'twork.Itsimplydoesn'twork.Themathdoesn'twork.It'snot
balanced.Itdoesn'tinvestinthechallengesthatPennsylvanian'sfaceandweallknowPennsylvaniafaces,especiallywhenitcomesto
education."
DuringhisMarch3budgetaddressontheHousefloor,thenewly-electedDemocraticgovernoraskedthelargestRepublicanmajorityin
sixdecadestosupporthisfour-yearplantoboosteducationspendingby$2billionontopofthe$1billioninexpenditureshe
proposesfortheupcomingfiscalyearaloneessentiallyrestoringtheRendell-eraspendingpoliciesthatwereaffordedwiththeinflux
oflong-extinctfederalstimulusmoney,andincreasingthestate'sshareofeducationfundingfrom35percentto50percent.
Andhewantedtouseaprojected$1billioninrevenuegeneratedfroma5-percentMarcellusShaleseverancetaxtodoit.
ItwasaplanthatbymanyaccountswasdeadonarrivalwithLegislativeRepublicans,whorejectedanytaxincreasesand
insteadfocusedtheireffortsonliquorprivatizationandpensionreform.TheHouseonJune1calledupthegovernorstaxrevenue
proposal,whichwasdefeatedunanimouslyinthechamberCLICKHEREtoreadmoreaboutthat.
But,aslateaslastweek,Wolfappearedtoholdouthopeforhishistoriceducationinvestmentproposals$400millionforbasic
education,$120millionforearlyeducationand$100millionforspecialeducationevenasRepublicanleaderscautionedagainstsuch

optimism,committingonlytoanincreaseineducationfunding.
AnydoubtthatWolfwouldn'tgethiswaywassquashedFridaywhenHouseandSenateleadersannouncedajointbudgetagreement
thatcarvedoutroughly25percentofthefundingthegovernorrequestedthreemonthsearlier,aswellasaPlanConbondstrategythat
wouldinfuseroughly$5.4billionintoschooldistrictsandsavethestate$300millioninFY2015-16.
TheWolfadministrationhaswrittenoffthestrategyassmokeandmirrors,whileSenateMajorityLeaderJayCosta,D-Allegheny,said
hiscaucuswouldbeopentoaPlanConbondthatwasn'ttiedtothebudget.
ThedetailsoftheborrowingstrategyappearinHB762,whichincludesthecreationofaPlanConAdvisoryCommitteetoreviewand
makerecommendationsregardingthestate'sschoolconstructionprojectreimbursementprogrambyFebruary1,2016.
Meanwhile,LegislativeRepublicansslippednotone,buttwofundingformulasintothebill:thespecialeducationfundingformulaenacted
in2014throughtheFiscalCodeandthebasiceducationfundingformulaannouncedearlierthismonththelatterofwhich,Wolfand
LegislativeDemocratsinsisted,hadnobusinessbeingimplementeduntilFY2016-17.
Republicansignoredthatrequest,too,sayingtherewasnogoodreasontowaitonenactingthewidely-supportedandhighly-anticipated
formulaforanotheryear.
Anotherlast-yearholdoverfromtheFiscalCodewoundupintheEducationCodebill,too:$1.2milliontocreatearuralregional
communitycollegeinthenorthwesterncornerofthestatealalastsession'sSenateBill1000,sponsoredbySenatePresidentPro
TemporeJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson.
AbillcodifyingformerGov.TomCorbett'sReadytoSucceedscholarshipprogramwasalsosenttoWolf'sdeskTuesdayamidthe
budgethubbub.Lastyear,lawmakersslippeditintotheFiscalCodeuntilthelegislation,SenateBill329,waspassedintolaw.
DespitelambastingfromHouseandSenateDemocrats,RepublicansintheHouseandSenatepassedthebillonvotesof107-88and
30-19,respectively,alittlemorethanthreehoursbeforethemidnightdeadline.
-30-

Capitolwire:Legislaturemakeshistoryputtingliquor,pensionbillsonWolf'sdesk.
ByKevinZwickandChrisComisac
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June30)TheRepublican-controlledLegislaturemadehistoryTuesdaywiththeapprovaloflegislationthatwould
overhaulmajorfacetsofstategovernment.
TheGeneralAssemblypassedlegislationtoeliminatethePennsylvaniaLiquorControlBoard'spoweroverpricingandproductsof
wineandspirits,andaseparatebilltomovenewlyhiredstateworkersintoadefinedcontributionhybridretirementplan.
Removingstategovernmentfromwineandliquorsaleshasevadedgovernorsfordecades.Govs.TomCorbett,TomRidge,Dick
ThornburghandMiltonShapp,whoalltriedbutfailedtoendtheProhibition-eraliquorsystem,wouldhaverelishedGov.TomWolf's
position.Corbettalsotriedtooverhaulthepensionsystemduringhisfinalyearinoffice.
Instead,Wolf'svetopenawaits,atleastthat'sthehopeofsomeDemocraticlawmakerswhoopposedthebills.Wolftoldreporters
Tuesdayeveninghewillreviewthelegislationbutwouldn'tsaywhetherhewouldvetothebills.
Wolfdoesn'tsupportprivatizingthestatestoresystem,partiallyduetothelossofafewthousandjobs,manyofwhichareunion.
HesupportsmodernizationreformstothesystemkeepingthestateinchargethatarealsobackedbylegislativeDemocrats.
ThisisanhistoricpieceoflegislationthatwillfinallybringPennsylvaniaintothe21stcentury,saidSenatePresidentProTemJoe
Scarnati,R-Jefferson,duringfloordebateaheadoftheSenate'sapprovalofanagreed-toamendedversionofTurzai'splan.Itgives
thepeopleofPennsylvaniawhattheywant.Itgetsthestateoutoftheliquorbusinessonceandforall.
Pasteffortstoremovestatecontroloverwineandhardliquorwerescuttledbyastrangefellowshipoforganizedlabor,social
conservatives,urbanandrurallawmakers,drunk-drivingawarenessgroups.Inrecentyears,sinceRepublicansregainedtheHouse
in2010,Rep.MikeTurzai,R-Allegheny,nowtheHouseSpeaker,hasbeenthetorchbearerfortheliquorpush,eventuallyleadinghis
chambertopassaliquorproposalin2013.
HouseRepublicans,bolsteredbyyoungerconservativeswhodidn'tnecessarilybuyintopastarguments,revealedcracksinthe
coalitionandthatoddfellowshiphasfailedastheargumentstoprivatizetrumpcallstocontrolbooze.
WeworryonthesamesenseaboutprotectingyoungpeoplefromgettingboozeandwetalkabouttheneedforLCBtoenforcethis,
yetthey'retheexactsameboardthatistryingtomaximizesales,saidRep.JimChristiana,R-Beaver.Itisaconflictofinterest.
Thelegislationwouldleadtotheeventualclosingofstate-runliquorstoresasprivateretaillicensees,includinghotels,restaurants,

beerdistributorsanddelis,buyexpandedpermitstosellwineandhardliquor.Itwouldalsoleasethewholesaleoperationfor10
years,withthePLCBcollectingfeesfromprivatewholesalersbasedonhowmuchtheyspendayear.
Thisbillwillcostus4,000jobs.Revenuelossinthemillions.Priceswillgoup,selectionwillgodown,saidHouseDemocratic
LeaderFrankDermody,D-Allegheny.Whatisthereasonwewouldsellwhatisanasset?
LegislativeDemocratsandsomeRepublicansobjectedoverthelossofbetween3,500and4,700statestorejobs.Othersobjected
totheproliferationofalcohol,particularlyaroundcollegecampusesandcities.
Inadditiontoanuisancelocation,we'regonnaaddawholebunchofliquorstores,saidSenateDemocraticWhipTonyWilliams,
D-Philadelphia.We'llhaveliquoroutofcontrol.
AsimilarsentimentwasechoedintheHousebyRep.GeneDiGirolamo,R-Bucks,oneofthefewRepublicansagainstprivatization,
whohasstrongunionbackingandisanadvocatefordrugtreatment.
Iguaranteeit,ourcollegecampuseswillbeaprimetarget,hesaid.Ourcities,inthecityofPhiladelphia,Pittsburgh,andmanyof
ourothercities,anywheretheycanmakethemostprofitfromthesaleofalcoholthat'swherethey'regoingtoputthem.
It'snotwhatIwanttoseePennsylvaniaturninto,headded.
Andatleastonelawmakersaidhedoesn'tmindthecurrentsystem.
Idon'tthinkit'ssuchabigdealnowtogototwoplaces,saidHouseLiquorControlCommitteeDemocraticChairmanPaulCosta,
D-Allegheny,referringtogoingtoastatestoreforliquorandwine,andabeerdistributorforbeer.
Thelegislation,HouseBill466,passedtheSenate27-22andlaterintheHouse113-82.
Analterationofthestatepublicpensions-anotquiteashistoricbutstilldifficulteffortwaslikewiseaccomplishedbythe
Republican-controlledGeneralAssemblyonTuesday.
TheHousefirst,ona106-89vote(11RepublicansjoinedtheDemocratsopposingthebill),andthentheSenateearlyTuesday
evening,ona29-20vote(aparty-line,otherthananovotebySen.StewartGreenleaf,R-Montgomery),approvedSenateBill1,
legislationthatwouldcreateahybriddefinedcontribution/definedbenefitplanintowhichmostnewlyhiredstateandpublicschool
employeeswouldbeenrolled,aswellasmakeapairofchangestohowbenefitsarecalculated,prospectively,forcurrent
employees.
IfsignedintolawbyWolfanuncertainprospectSB1wouldrepresentthefirsttimea401k-typeplanhasbeenimplementedfor
stateandpublicschoolemployees(newones),andararealterationofcurrentemployeesbenefitcalculations.CLICKHEREforthe
detailsaboutthebill.
HouseandSenateRepublicanssaidtheimportanceofSenateBill1sefforttoshiftsomeoftheriskofthestatespublicpensions
fromPennsylvaniastaxpayerstostateandpublicschoolemployeesisessential.
Sayingthehistoricalandrecentdebateaboutpensionreformcanbealotlikearollercoasterwithtalksrangingfromenhancing
benefitstorestrictsystemcostgrowth,andpassionsoftenpushingthosecommentstohyperboleHouseMajorityLeaderDave
Reed,R-Indiana,toldtheHouse:SenateBill1isaproposalthatwillallowustokeepourcommitmenttoourretirees,itsa
proposalthatwillallowourcurrentemployeestokeepthebenefitstructuretheysignedupfor,itsaproposalthatwillstabilizethe
systemfornewemployeesgoingforward,itsaproposalthatwillminimizetheriskforthetaxpayersinthelongtermitstimeto
voteforSenateBill1,itstimetogetoffthisrollercoasterrideandmovethisstateforward.
HouseandSenateDemocratsattackedthebillonahostofissues,butmostfocusedonafewprimaryareas:thelackofimmediate
savings,potentialcourtchallengesandothercostsofswitchingthebenefitplans,thelimitedimpactontheunfundedliability,the
impactonfuturehiresandtheirabilitytosupportthemselvesintheirretirement.
ItsourviewthatthereareresponsiblepensionreformmeasureandirresponsiblepensionreformmeasuresIwouldputSenate
Bill1inthelattercategory,saidSenateMinorityLeaderJayCosta,D-Allegheny,aboutSB1duringanearlyTuesdayevening
meetingoftheSenateRulesCommitteethatultimatelyreportedthebilltotheSenatefloor,onaparty-line11-6vote.
Costasaidaresponsiblemeasureshouldnotaggravatethepensionsystemsunfundedliabilityorimpairthecontractsofcurrent
employees,twothingsheclaimedaredonebySB1.Healsosaidagoodpensionplanwouldprovidethestateandschooldistricts
withpensionpaymentrelief,aswellasensureretirementsecurityforparticipantsinthepensionsystemstwothingshesaidSB1
doesnotdo.
Fairnessisoftenintheeyesofthebeholder,saidRep.WarrenKampf,R-Chester,respondingtocriticisms,similartothose
expressedbyCosta,intheHouse.Andintodaysworlditseemstomethatahybridplanwhichisproperlycrafted,isactually
betterforouremployeesofallkinds.
Kampf,whowastappedbyHouseGOPleaderstoleadhiscaucusfloordebateregardingthelegislation,saiddefinedbenefitplans,
suchastheonescurrentlyprovidedbythestate,shorter-termemployeesareatadisadvantage,whilethoseemployeeswhowork
forextendedperiodsrealizehigherlevelsofretirementbenefits.

Thatsnotfair,butthatshowdefinedbenefitplansoftenaretheyrebackloadedsothelong-termemployee,the30-or35-year
employee,istheonewhosignificantlybenefits,saidKampf,notingthatcurrentemploymenttrendspointtomostworkersnot
stayingwithonejoblongenoughtotrulybenefitfromthestatescurrentretirementbenefitdesign.Hesaidstateworkers,nationally,
staywiththeirjobanaverageofsevenyears.
Cashbalanceplansarebetterforfuturehiresthantheplanwecurrentlyhaveforsomeonethatsinthe[pension]systemfor10or
15or20years,arguedKampf.Headdedthatevenlonger-termemployeeswouldenduphaving50-to60-percentreplacement
income,andwhentheirSocialSecuritybenefitsareaddedwhichhesaidwouldofferanother25-percentor30-percent
replacementincomewouldputthemrightintherangewheretheyneedtobeforretirement.
KampfalsosoughttodispelsomeoftheDemocratsotherarguments,notingtheunfundedliabilitysituationoft-mentionedby
DemocraticspeakersisduetohowtheStateEmployeesRetirementSystemassumedthehybridplanscosttothestate,which
theactuarialnotecriticizedasunderstated,leadingtoanapparentbuterroneous-increaseintheunfundedliability.Andwith
regardtosavings,whilelittle-to-nothinginthenearterm,foranyreform[proposal],especiallyforasystemofthissize,takestime
toimplementitdoesntmeanitsnotworthdoingit.
Thisisnotthedoomsdaywarnedbyothers,saidKampf.
-30-

From:

Stone,Sophie

Senttime:

06/27/201509:55:08AM

To:

Stone,Sophie

Subject:

Governor'sOfficePressClips-June27,2015

TopClips
TimesLeader:FrancesWolf:Investinstatesschoolchildrenwithplanthatrestoresequitybetweenrichandpoordistricts
http://www.timesleader.com/news/opinion columns/154261983/THEIR-VIEW-Invest-in-states-school-children
LNP:FrancesWolf:TimeisnowtoinvestinPa.schoolchildren
http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/time-is-now-to-invest-in-pa-schoolchildren/article_d0c8fc9e-1c18-11e5-85c2df6d7baa728e.html

Budget

AP:PennsylvaniabudgetworkcontinuesWolfthreatensveto
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/breaking-news/index.ssf/2015/06/pennsylvania budget work conti.html

PhiladelphiaInquirer:WolftovetoGOPbudgetplan
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/20150627 GOP budget ignores Wolf s priorities.html

PatriotNews:WolfvowstovetoGOP-craftedbudgetthatfailstoaddresshispriorities
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/wolf_vows_to_veto_gop-crafted.html

PatriotNews:HouseandSenateRepublicanslauncha"majority-approved"budget,withoutagreementfromGov.TomWolf
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/house and senate republicans l.html

PittsburghPost-Gazette:RepublicanPennsylvaniabudgetproposaladvances
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/26/State-GOP-leaders-draft-budget-without-governor-sinput/stories/201506260297
PLSReporter:GOPsbudgetplanrevealedGov.Wolfvowsveto
http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/797/GOP%E2%80%99s-budget-plan-revealed-Gov-Wolfvows-veto.aspx

Tribune-Review:GOPlawmakerstosendWolftheir$30.1BbudgetbyTuesday
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8634086-74/story#axzz3eAemX2X2

MorningCall:WolfvowstovetoRepublicanlawmakers'$30.1billionbudget
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pa-legislature-budget-pension-0626-20150626-story.html
FOX43:VIDEO:WolfthreatenstovetolatestRepublicanbudgetproposal
http://fox43.com/2015/06/26/wolf-threatens-to-veto-latest-republican-budget-proposal/
ABC27:VIDEO:Budgetdeadlinenears,butaplanisonitsway
http://abc27.com/2015/06/26/budget-deadline-nears-but-a-plan-is-on-its-way/

PatriotNews:Corman:GOPbudgetreflectsvoters'desirefornotaxhikes
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/corman_gop_budget_reflects_vot.html#incart_river

PittsburghPost-Gazette:"Ididn'tsayIwoulddefinitelyveto"
http://earlyreturns.post-gazette.com/home/early-returns-posts/6567-i-didn-t-say-i-would-definitely-veto

WTAE:VIDEO:Wolfdicussesbudget,privatizingliqoursales

http://www.wtae.com/news/wolf-dicusses-budget-privatizing-liqour-sales/33776364
DailyItem:Op-EdbyRep.Vitali:Gov.Wolf'senergyinvestmentinitiative
http://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/gov-wolf-s-energy-investment-initiative/article fc6b0a40-1c3b-11e5-ad04-a3a59ed3ce58.html
DoylestownIntelligencer:Op-EdbyEdRendell:TableissetforbigchangesinPennsylvania
http://www.theintell.com/opinion/table-is-set-for-big-changes-in-pennsylvania/article_ca24d8e4-328f-5862-83c5-1a4016f45bac.html

Express-Times:Op-Ed:TellPa.legislatorstorememberlibrariesinbudgettalks
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/06/tell pa legislators to remembe.html#incart river
CitizensVoice:Nonprofitsnervousaboutbudgetimpasse
http://citizensvoice.com/news/nonprofits-nervous-about-budget-impasse-1.1904372
WTAJ:VIDEO:WhoLosesIfaBudgetIsn'tPassed?
http://www.wearecentralpa.com/story/d/story/who-loses-if-a-budget-isnt-passed/23749/B3t-0vEFQUWiR1rEaaiS2w

Education

PatriotNews:Whatnewfundingformulawouldmeanforyourschooldistrict
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/what new funding formula would.html

Times-Tribune:Op-Ed:Ensureformula,funds
http://thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/ensure-formula-funds-1.1903816

PatriotNews:Op-EdbySen.ScottWagner:Pa.doesn'tneedtospendmoreonschools,itneedstospendmorewisely
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/pa doesnt need to spend more o.html#incart river

YorkDailyRecord:Op-EdRep.StanSaylor:Gov.WolfwantshighertaxestoboostPhillyschools
http://www.ydr.com/letters/ci_28387485/rep-stan-saylor-gov-wolf-wants-higher-taxes

SeveranceTax

BeaverCountyTimes:Wolf'sproposeddrillingtaxstaunchlyopposedbymostBeaverCountylegislators
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local news/wolfe-s-proposed-drilling-tax-staunchly-opposed-by-most-beaver/article bff6f2761c0f-11e5-966f-bfb64e0ad553.html
TimesLeader:DougMcLinko:ProposednaturalgastaxwouldbesetbackforPennsylvania
http://www.timesleader.com/news/opinion columns/154300973/THEIR-VIEW-Wolfs-tax-will-spoil-energy-boom

Pensions

PLSReporter:DetailsofHousepensionplanemerge
http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/795/Details-of-House-pension-plan-emerge.aspx

PropertyTaxes

PLSReporter:Propertytaxreformremainsabrightspotamongbudget-relatednegotiations
http://www.theplsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/796/Property-tax-reform-remains-a-bright-spot-amongbudget-related-negotiations.aspx

ReadingEagle:About200peopleattendmeetinginPottstownonendingschoolpropertytaxes
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/about-200-people-attend-meeting-in-pottstown-on-ending-school-property-taxes

PottstownMercury:VocalcrowdinPottstownpushespropertytaxelimination
http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20150625/vocal-crowd-demands-property-tax-elimination-in-pennsylvania

Same-SexMarriageRuling

AP:Wolfapplaudssame-sexmarriageruling,callsonlawmakerstoexpandanti-discriminationlaw
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/70cc0917af4f4a45a40ad5f996d23f58/PA--Gay-Marriage-Wolf

ABC27:Gov.Wolfhailsgaymarriageruling,callsfornon-discriminationlaw
http://abc27.com/2015/06/26/gov-wolf-hails-gay-marriage-ruling-calls-for-non-discrimination-law/

PatriotNews:Gov.TomWolfhailsU.S.SupremeCourtrulingvalidatingsame-sexmarriage
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/gov_tom_wolf_hails_us_supreme.html?
hootPostID=502be007d18dd60e0d1fe1d1150233cd#incart river
PittsburghPost-Gazette:GaysstilllackfullcivilrightsprotectioninPennsylvania
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/27/Gays-still-lack-full-civil-rights-protection-in-Pennsylvania/stories/201506270034

PatriotNews:Aftermarriageequality,here'swhatPennsylvanianeedsnext
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/after_gay_marriage_whats_next.html#incart_river

MorningCall:Same-sexcouplesgivenrighttomarry
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-yes-pa-supreme-court-gay-marriage-decision-20150626-story.html

PhiladelphiaInquirer:Gayactivistshailhighcourt'smarriageruling
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20150627_Gay_activists_hail_high_court_s_marriage_ruling.html#taX32VBO5ecvVRI5.99

PatriotNews:RulingishailedbyPa.legislatorswhohavebeenpushingforsame-sexequality
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/ruling is hailed by pa legisla.html#incart river

Tribune-Review:SupremeCourtrulesinfavorofgaymarriage
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8626458-74/court-marriage-sex#ixzz3eC8ScKxw

PatriotNews:Pennsylvania'ssame-sexmarriageopponentsaredisappointedanddiscouraged,butvowtheirfightisn'tover
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/06/pennsylvanias same-sex marriag.html#incart 2box midstate index.ssf

ACARuling

MorningCall:382,000PennsylvanianscankeepObamacaresubsidies
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-obamacare-supreme-court-subsidies-20150625-story.html

BeaverCountyTimes:SupremeCourtrulingmeanshealthinsurancesubsidiessafefornearly350,000Pennsylvanians
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/supreme-court-ruling-means-health-insurance-subsidies-safe-fornearly/article_054a7db2-1b6a-11e5-9d42-9fb58a2866a6.html/?REFER-MI=News

ErieTimes-News:ObamacaredecisionsavesmoneyformanyErieCountyresidents
http://www.goerie.com/obamacare-decision-saves-money-for-many-erie-county-residents#

DoylestownIntelligencer:Editorial:Areasonedrulingonhealthcarelaw
http://www.theintell.com/opinion/a-reasoned-ruling-on-health-care-law/article_ee896430-43e5-57d4-94fe-68e326ca93b6.html

PhiladelphiaInquirer:InCongress,rulingreactionreflectspartisandivide
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/309971041.html#xtwYJgsWiHdORQtM.99

Tribune-Democrat:OfficialssplitonSupremeCourt'srulingonObama'shealthcarelaw
http://www.tribdem.com/news/officials-split-on-supreme-court-s-ruling-on-obama-s/article_0b95d812-1bb3-11e5-8186-

fb29809e85c5.html

DepartmentNews

Tribune-Democrat:KathyManderinospeaksatannualJARIluncheon
http://www.tribdem.com/news/local_news/kathy-manderino-speaks-at-annual-jari-luncheon/article_35eec366-1bb4-11e5-916077d62dd0f1b5.html

PatriotNews:SenateconfirmsTimothyReese'snominationasstatetreasurer
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/senate confirms timothy reeses.html

BradfordEra:Bradfordschooldistrictwinsstateliteracyaward
http://www.bradfordera.com/news/article_dd0e595e-1ba5-11e5-aece-b734a25b4276.html
PittsburghPost-Gazette:Stateissues$95,000penaltyagainstSunocoLogisticsforwastewaterspills
http://powersource.post-gazette.com/powersource/companies/2015/06/26/Pennsylvania-DEP-95-000-penalty-against-SunocoLogistics-for-wastewater-spills-Marcellus-Shale-Mariner-East/stories/201506260277

AirProducts

AP:Pennsylvaniagovextendscondolencestovictimsofattack
http://www.goerie.com/BC-PA-France-Attack-Pennsylvania

ABC27:Wolf:Pa.policemonitoringpotentialthreatsafterFrenchattack
http://abc27.com/2015/06/26/wolf-pa-police-monitoring-potential-threats-after-french-attack/

MorningCall:AirProductsfacilityinFranceattackedonedead
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-air-products-france-attack-20150626-story.html#page=1

MorningCall:CharlieDentsaysterrorattacksonAirProductsfactory,Tunisianresort'notcoincidental'
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-air-products-dent-tunisia-attack-20150626-story.html

MedicalMarijuana

LNP:MedicalmarijuanacouldgaingroundinPa.
http://lancasteronline.com/news/medical-marijuana-could-gain-ground-in-pa/article_1f9024d6-1c39-11e5-a2b1-d3ef6caf007a.html

911Funding

MorningCall:Phonefeesgoingupunder911billheadedtoWolf'sdesk
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-pa-911-center-bill-20150626-story.html

Politics

PublicSource:WolfsnewpoliticalactioncommitteeRebuildPennsylvania
http://publicsource.org/from-the-source/wolf-s-new-political-action-committee-rebuild-pennsylvania#.VY2vlBtVhBc

HouseandSenateAction

PatriotNews:SenatepanelOKsfurtherchangestobackgroundcheckslaw
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/senate_panel_oks_further_chang.html#incart_river

BradfordEra:Senateadoptstaxcreditbillforvolunteerfirstresponders
http://www.bradfordera.com/news/article 857cee1a-1b93-11e5-815e-db8faf8b1a07.html

LetterstotheEditor

Express-Times:Harrisburgstilllookingathalf-bakedpropertytaxreform
http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/06/harrisburg_still_looking_at_ha.html

PatriotNews:Gov.Wolf'staxplanwon'tdoanythingtohelpbusinessesinPennsylvania
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/gov wolfs tax plan wont do any.html
YorkDailyRecord:Wolfgastaxwouldhurtindustry
http://www.ydr.com/letters/ci_28381657/wolf-gas-tax-would-hurt-industry-letter
###

Capitolwire:WolfthreatensvetoofGOP-backedbudget.
ByKevinZwick
StaffReporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June26)Gov.TomWolfthreatenedtovetoabudgetbackedbylegislativeRepublicanleaderswho,alongwiththe
governor,stoodfirmontheirprioritiesdaysbeforetheJune30thbudgetdeadline.
Republicansunveileda$30.1billion,no-tax-increasebudgetFriday,whichWolfsaidhewouldvetoasquicklyasIcan,"presaginga
budgetshowdownthatthreatenstoshutdownstategovernment.
WhatIsee,Idon'tlike,Wolfsaid.Hedidn'tspecifywhetherhewouldvetospecificprogramsorcompletelystrikethebudget,a
movethatcouldthreatengovernmentservicesformillions.I'mgoingtodomybesttomakesurethere'saslittledisruptionas
possible.
ThegovernorandGOPleadershipareclaimingamandatefromPennsylvaniavotersfortheirbudgetpriorities.Wolfsofarhasbeen
unabletoconvinceRepublicanleaderstojoinhimonhiskeypriorities,whichincludelevyingahighernaturalgasdrillingtaxand
increasingpersonalincomeandsalestaxestoraiseeducationspending,whileloweringthepropertytaxburdenandaddressingthe
deficittohisliking.
WhilePennsylvaniavotersinNovemberelectedWolf,theyalsosentstrongermajoritiesoflegislativeRepublicanstoHarrisburg,said
SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman,R-Centre,addingvotersdidsoonamandatetoreininstategovernmentspendingandhold
thelineontaxes.
Anyimpasseorgovernmentshutdownwouldbebecauseofonepersonandonepersononlythedifferent-kind-of-governorTom
Wolf,saidSteveMiskin,spokesmanfortheHouseRepublicans.
Hewillhavetomakethedecisionwhethertokeepgovernmentoperatingornot,Miskinsaid.Wewanttokeepgovernment
operating.
TheLegislature'sRepublicanleadershipisunified,theysaid,onabudgetthatdoesn'traisetaxes,adds$200milliontoeducation
programs,andborrows$5.3billionforschoolconstructionprojects-CLICKHEREtoreadmoreaboutthat.Theirbudgetalsouses
$200millionfromayet-unveiledliquorprivatizationproposaltoaddressa$1.2billionstructuraldeficit.Theproposal,however,
containsanumberofone-timerevenuefixes,fundtransfers,anddelayedpaymentstoshoreupsavings-CLICKHEREtoreadhow
theGOPproposestomakeitsproposalwork.
Theyplantosendtheirbudgetandenablinglegislation,aliquorbill,andlegislationwithreformstothepublicpensionssystemstoWolf
onTuesday.
TheHouseAppropriationsCommitteestartedthatprocessFridayevening.
Thebudgetcontainsrevenuesfromunsustainablesourcesandgimmicks,suchastransfersfromspecialfunds,therevenuesurplus,
whichweallknowcontainsseveralnon-recurringsources,andshiftingpaymentstofutureyears,saidHouseAppropriations
CommitteeDemocraticChairmanJoeMarkosek,D-Allegheny.
Bottomline:Thisbudgetisinadequate.Itdoesn'tcutit.ItwillunraveljustasthelastfourRepublicanbudgetshave,Markosek
added.HesaidHouseDemocratswillnotsupportthebudgetbill.
HisRepublicancounterpart,MajorityChairmanBillAdolph,R-Delaware,saidthebudgetisresponsibleandsustainable.
Thisrepresentsabudgetproposalthatrecognizeswemusthaveanefficientandeffectivegovernmentbeforewecouldconsider
askingmiddle-classfamiliestopayhighertaxes,saidAdolph,notingwhat'sexpectedtobeamorethan$350millionend-of-year
surplus.

Yougottatakealookatthatonceinawhile,hesaid.Yougottatakealookatwhatcameinbeforeyouraisepeople'staxes.
InMarch,Wolfproposedabout$4.7billioninraisedtaxesandfees:$2.4billioncomingfromanincreaseinthepersonalincometax
from3.07percentto3.7percentand$1.55billionfromthesalestax,which,formostofthestate,wouldincreasefrom6percentto
6.6percent,withthetaxbeingappliedtomoreitems.Hisplanproposes$3.8billioninpropertytaxandrentrelief,alongwith
additionaleducationfunding.
Healsoproposedincreasedtaxesonnaturalgasdrillingandcigarettes,aswellasanewtaxforothertobaccoproducts.
Wolfalsoproposedseeingtheeliminationofabusinessassetstaxandhe'sproposedloweringthecorporatenetincometax,while
requiringstricterincomereportingformulti-statecorporations.
AdolphsaidtheGOP'splanisanon-timebudgetwithnotaxincrease.
Wolf,earliersaid:Therewasthispreoccupationwithanon-timebudget.Iwantagoodbudget.
ThecommitteeamendedandapprovedtheGOP'sbudgetintoHouseBill1192onaparty-linevotearound8p.m.Friday.Thefull
HouseisplanningtovotethebillSaturdayfollowingwhat'sexpectedtobeanextendedfloordebate.
-30###

Capitolwire:GOPbudgetappearstohingeonPlanConbondstrategy.
ByChristenSmith
StaffReporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June26)LegislativeRepublicansmadegoodonapromiseFridaytodevelopabalancedbudgetplanwithout
raisingtaxes.
Buttheyhavetoborrow$5.4billiontodoit.
Gov.TomWolfandlegislativeDemocratsdescribetheproposalasablueprintofaccountingtrickstheminoritypartyhascometo
expectfromtheircolleaguesontheright.
Thisisagimmick-filledbudgetthatexacerbatesthedeficit,doesn'tfundourschoolsanddoesn'tmakeoilandgascompaniespaytheir
fairshare,saidJeffSheridan,Wolf'sspokesman.Andit'sreallydisappointing.
WhiletheapparentlynchpinoftheGOPplanborrowingroughly$5.4billiontopayoffsome500projectsowedmoneyunderthe
schoolconstructionreimbursementprogramknownasPlanConmayfitsomeofthoseparameters,Republicanssaythestrategywill
doexactlywhatthegovernorwants:helpdistrictscutcostsanddirectmoneyintotheclassroom.
Wearetalking$5.4billion,adirectinfusionintopublicschools,saidRep.SethGrove,R-York,whohasspearheadedthe
Legislature'spushtoreformPlanCon.It'smoneythatispartiallyowedtothemandthatgoesintotheirgeneralfund.Somaybethey've
cutprogramsandclasses.Nowtheywillhavecashonhandtoreplenishwhattheyusedtomakethosebondpayments.
PlanCon,anantiquatedandtedious11-stepprocessschooldistrictsnavigateonapromiseofstatereimbursementforconstruction
andrenovationprojectsthey'vealreadyfinanced,hasbeenastickingpointoverthelastyearforRepublicansandDemocratsalike.
GrovemanagedtowhipupenoughsupportforhisHouseBill210,passedinthechamberlastmonthonavoteof142-52,because,he
said,itwillstreamlinePlanConintofivesteps,digitizerecordsandimprovetransparencylightyearsbeyondthecurrentsystem.That
systemrequiresthestateDepartmentofEducationtopourthroughhundredsofbindersand1920smicrofilmtechnologytolocate
detailsforjustoneproject.
Increasingfundingfortheprogram,however,hasbeenatrickiersellontheHousefloor.Grovelastmonthurgedhiscolleaguestoleave
thataspecttobudgetnegotiations,whileDemocratspushedfor$100millionmore.
Sixweekslater,theGOPspendingplanappearstoremovethe$306.2millionPlanConlineitemaspartofbudgetarysavingsusedto
fillthe$1.25billionstructuraldeficit(CLICKHEREtoreadhowRepublicansclosedtherestofthegap),butlookscanbedeceiving.
Whiletheexactdetailsaredependentuponthetermsnegotiated,GrovesaystheLegislaturewillissuearoughly$5.4billion20-year
bondtopayoffthe400to500projectscurrentlyowedreimbursementbythestate.Thisbondeliminatesthestate's$306.2million
PlanConobligationforFY2015-16.Grovesaidthestate,beginninginFiscalYear2016-17,willreplenishthePlanConlineitemwith
about$250millionfromthegeneralfund,whichwillbeusedstrictlytorepaythebond.
The100orsoprojectswhohaveyettoreceivereimbursementapprovalwillstillbeconsidered,however,Grovesaidstructural
changestotheprogram,suchassomeofthosefoundinHB210,willreducetheamountofreimbursementthestatewilloffer.Hesaid
fundingforanyfutureprojectheexpectstwodozenwillgetreimbursementapprovalin18monthsorsowillbeaddedontopof
the$250millionlineitemeachyear.
Theeffect,SenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman,R-Centre,said,willgiveschooldistrictsthespendingflexibilitythey'vebeenasking
forwhilesavingthestatehundredsofmillionsondecadesofinterestratepayments.
Theadministrationdoesn'tseeitthatway.
Theytakeitoffline,saidBudgetSecretaryRandyAlbright.Theytakeitoutthebudget,sothat's$300millioninexpendituresthat
we'reobligatedtomakeunlesswecomeupwithanewplantomakethoseauthorityrental(PlanCon)payments,butwedon'treflect

thatcostcurrentlyinthegeneralfundbudget.Again,$300millioninsmokeandmirrorsthatisn'tabalancedbudgetandwillagain,to
thegovernor'spoint,growthenextyear'sbudgetdeficit.
BillPatton,spokesmanfortheHouseDemocraticCaucus,saidthePlanConstrategyhasn'tboughtanymembers'votesafact
reiteratedbytheparty'sacrosstheboardno-voteonallofthebudgetbillsmovedthroughtheHouseAppropriationsCommittee
Fridaynight.
TheRepublicanleadershipinHarrisburghasmadeitreallyeasyforDemocratstovoteagainstthisshambudgetproposal,said
HouseMinorityLeaderFrankDermody,D-Allegheny.ItdoesnotmeettherealneedsofPennsylvania.Itcynicallycontinuesthe
gimmicksandmake-believebudgetideasofthelastfouryears.
ThisRepublicanbudgetthattheHousewillbeaskedtovoteonSaturdaycanaccuratelybelabeledasCorbett5.0,butTom
Corbettcantbeblamedforthispieceofjunk,"hecontinued."ItliessquarelywiththecurrentRepublicanleadershipintheHouseand
Senate.
Torecap,theLegislatureappropriated$5.5billionintothebasiceducationsubsidyinthecurrentfiscalyearorabout$100million
morethantheproposedbond.TheGOPbudgetplanincreasesthatallocationto$5.6billion,whichisstillabout$300millionshortof
whatthegovernorrequested.
Republicansalsoearmarked$20millionforspecialeducation,$30millionforearlyeducationand$41millionforhighereducation,or
aboutonequarterofthefundingthegovernorrequestedduringhisMarchbudgetaddress.
Wolfisnone-too-pleasedeither,tellingreportersFridayevening:Ifthisbudgetgetstomeintheformwehaverightnow,intheform
thathasallthesegames,andcontinueswiththegamesofthepastandisnothingmorethanthestatusquo,Iwillvetoit.
-30###

Capitolwire:TheGOPcomesupwithano-taxplantoclosePA's$1.25billiondeficit.
ByChrisComisac
BureauChief
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June26)-LegislativeRepublicansunveiledthebudgettheyplanonsendingtoGov.TomWolfbeforeJuly1,andit
spends$3.7billionlessthanthegovernorsaidhewantedtospendinMarch.
The$30.1billionGOPspendingproposalrepresentsa3.6-percentincreasefromthecurrentFiscalYear2014-15,orabout$1billion
morethanwhatthecurrentstatebudgetisspending,anderasesa$1.25billionstructuralbudgetdeficit.
Allwithoutraisinganytaxes.
Republicanscalltheirplanresponsible,whileGov.TomWolf,BudgetSecretaryRandyAlbrightandlegislativeDemocratssaysits
justmoregimmicksandsmokeandmirrorsthattheysaycreatedthecurrent$1.25billiondeficitPennsylvaniafaces.
Wereducedthestructuraldeficitwhenwe[HouseRepublicans]tookover,thestructuraldeficitwasover$4billion,saidHouse
AppropriationsChairmanBillAdolph,R-Delaware.Wehaveanagreed-tofigureof$1.2[billion],sowehavetakencareof$3billion
ofstructuraldeficitinfouryears.
SohowdotheGOPmakeupthe$1.25billion?
Theystartbyassumingthenewfiscalyearwillstartoffwith$375millionmorethanwasexpected,whichisabitmorethanthe$363
millionFY2014-15endingbalancetheIndependentFiscalOffice,onJune15,estimated,andnearly$80.6millionmorethanwhathad
beenexpectedwhenlegislativeleadersdevelopedtheagreed-to$1.25billionstructuraldeficitfigure.
ThatstheresultoftheGOPs7-percentrevenuegrowthassumptionforFY2014-15,comparedtotheIFOs6.8-percentrevenue
growthassumption,thelapsingof$22.2millionofadditionalrevenuesfromprioryearsandreducing$48.3millioninreductions.That
producesanextra$130.5millionthathadnotbeenexpectedforFY2014-15.
Thatisoffsetby$50millioninadditionaltaxrefunds,toleaverevenuesnearly$80.6milliongreaterthanwhathadbeenexpectedfor
thecurrentfiscalyear.
TheGOPbuildsonthe$375millionendingbalanceforFY2014-15byassumingslightlybetterrevenuegrowth,0.7percent,during
thecomingyearcomparedtotheIFOs0.6-percentestimate.Thatrepresents$100millionmorethantheIFOestimateswillbe
generatedforthestatesGeneralFund,basedonthecurrentbudgetandstatetaxlaws.
Wefeelveryconfidentinourrevenueestimates,saidAdolph,followingameetingofhiscommitteeduringwhichtheGOPbudget
proposalwasreportedtotheHousefloor,inadvanceofanexpectedfinalvoteinthechamberonSaturday.
Tothat,theGOPwouldaddwhattheysayis$220millioninrecurringrevenuesresultingfromanas-yet-unapprovedliquor
privatizationplan.Another$47millioninaddedrevenueswouldbederivedfromspecialfundtransfers.
Intheend,theGOPplanexpectstohave$31.08billioninFY2015-16beforeapplying$1.275billionofexpectedtaxrefund
deductions.TheIFOprojectsFY2015-16revenues,priortotaxrefunds,willbecloserto$30.7billionorabout$380millionless.
AddFY2014-15s$375million,andtheGOPplanexpectstohaveapproximately$460millionmorethanhadbeenexpected,prior
toadjustingstateexpendituresintheFY2015-16GeneralAppropriationsbill.

Togettherestofthewaytoclosingthe$1.25billion,theGOPplanproposes$813.3millioninbudgetarylineitemadjustments.
Topofthatlististheeliminationofthebudgets$306.2millionlineitemforthestatePlanConprogram,Pennsylvaniasschool
constructionprojectreimbursementprogram.TheeliminationisbeingmadepossiblebecausetheGOPintendstoborrow$5.3billion
topayofftheconstructiondebtalreadyincurredbymanyofthestatesschooldistrictswhohavebeenapprovedbuthavebeen
waitingforPlanConreimbursementrelatedtotheirconstructionandrenovationprojects.CLICKHEREtoreadmoreaboutthat.
TheWolfadministrationandlegislativeRepublicansagreeonlittlewithregardtotheGOPsbudgetproposal,butoneareauponwhich
theydoappeartoagreeisthesourceofanother$128.5millionofthat$813.3millioninbudgetaryadjustments:expectedcost
reductionsduetoMedicaidExpansionanditsfederalizationofcostsassociatedwiththeMedicalAssistanceWorkerswithDisabilities
Program($44.8million)andtheChildrensHealthInsuranceProgram($83.7million),orCHIP.
Anotherhealthcare-relatedareaofsavingandthisoneisasourceofconflictbetweentheWolfadministrationandthelegislative
RepublicansisanadjustmenttotheexpectedcaseloadsfundedbythestatesMedicalAssistanceinpatientandoutpatientlineitems.
Alltotaledthenewcaseloadexpectationsproduce$116.8millioninsavings.
HouseGOPAppropriationsCommitteestaffsaidtheylookedatactualprogramusagefiguresthroughMay2015,usedthatastheir
baseassumptionforusageinFY2015-16andthenprojectedacertainamountofgrowth,mostlyfromnewMedicaidparticipantdue
totheexpansionoftheprogram.Theysaidthefiguresmoreaccuratelyrepresentprogramusage.
BudgetSecretaryAlbrighthadadifferenttakeontheGOPsassumptions.
Wevegonethroughthishowmanytimesduringthelastcoupleofyearstheresmorethan$187millioninMedicalAssistance
paymentsthataregonnabemandatedobligationsthatweregonnahavetomakethatthisbudgetpretendssimplydoesntexist,said
AlbrightFridayevening.
Albrightwasreferringtootherlines,inadditiontotheMedicalAssistancelines,suchasa$20millionreductionoftheCashGrantsline,
whichRepublicansargueisduetotheCommonwealthhavingenoughtomeetitsobligationswith$25.4million,notthe$45.4million
availableattheendofFY2014-15.
TheGOPplanalsoreducestheCountyChildWelfarelinebynearly$131.8million,whichtheysaidmoreaccuratelyreflectsthecash
flowneedsoftheprogram.AccordingtoinformationsuppliedbyRepublicanAppropriationsstaff,ineachofthelastfiveyears,there
hasbeenanunspentbalanceofatleast$200millionintheprogram.
AnotherareawhereRepublicanssaytheyareattemptingtorebalancestatefundingsituationsiswithregardtoSchoolEmployees
SocialSecuritypayments.GOPstaffsaidthestatecurrentlymakesthosesocialsecuritypaymentsprospectivelyinthefiscalyearprior
towhenthepaymentsarereceivedbytheschooldistricts.Theirbudgetproposalwoulddelaythosepaymentstwomonthsallowingfor
theCommonwealthtoreceivedatafromthedistrictstoproduceamoreaccuratepaymentamount.
Doingsosavesthestatecloseto$73.8milliondollars,accordingtotheRepublicans.
Albrightsaidanyerrorinthepaymentamountcalculationthatresultsinanunderpaymentcouldforceschooldistrictstoraiselocal
taxes.
TakentogethertheaforementionedGOPbudgetaryadjustmentsaccountforapproximately$777millionofthe$813millionalterations
proposedbyRepublicans.Thereareseveralothersmallerlessthan$5million,andmanylessthan$1millionadjustmentsthat
makeuptheremaining$36millioninexpectedGOPsavings.
Ofcourse,allofthismightnotmeanverymuch.WolfsaidFridayhe'llvetotheGOPbudgetifitreacheshisdeskinitscurrentform.
-30-

From:

Stone,Sophie

Senttime:

06/29/201508:58:50AM

To:

Stone,Sophie

Subject:

Governor'sOfficePressClips-June29,2015

Education

WITF:PAHouserejectsfundingplansforstate-relatedschools
http://www.witf.org/news/2015/06/pa-house-rejects-funding-plans-for-state-related-schools.php

PLSReporter:EducationfundingdebatehighlightedbudgetsfirstSenatestep
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/803/Education-funding-debate-highlighted-budget%E2%80%99s-first-Senate-step.aspx

PhiladelphiaInquirer:TheABCsofschool-fundingformulas
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150628_The_ABCs_of_school-funding_formulas.html

BeaverCountyTimes:Timesanalysis:Majorityoflocalschoolstoraisetaxestoavoidprogramcuts
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/times-analysis-majority-of-local-schools-to-raise-taxes-to/article_ee475b18-19e7-11e5-a8da970ec2a10dcb.html/?REFER-MI=News

CarlisleSentinel:Buildingabudget:Areaschooldistrictsplayguessinggamewithstatefunding
http://cumberlink.com/news/local/education/building-a-budget-area-school-districts-play-guessing-game-with/article 8480457e-126a-5d0a-8324c65586f48ee4.html

Tribune-Review:Pensioncostsburdenregion'sschooldistricts
http://tr blive.com/news/allegheny/8634160-74/pension-schools-state#axzz3eN0tP9Bs

BudgetNegotiations

PhiladelphiaDailyNews:Editorial:ToughtobargainwithGOPlawmakerslivinginfantasyland
http://www.philly.com/philly/opinion/20150629_DN_Editorial__Tough_to_bargain_with_GOP_lawmakers_living_in_fantasyland.html#p0T9Y7d6sqezI0sO.99
AP:StateSenatenearsbudgetvoteasclockticks
http://readingeagle.com/news/article/state-senate-nears-budget-vote-as-clock-ticks

AP:Taxes,educationdebatedaslawmakersnearbudgetdeadline
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jun/28/lawmakers-return-to-capitol-in-11th-hour-budget-sc/

AP:PennsylvaniaLawmakersWorkThroughWeekendOnStateBudget
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2015/06/28/pennsylvania-lawmakers-work-through-weekend-on-state-budget/

PatriotNews:Twodaysbeforethe#PaBudgetdeadline,Wolf,GOPstillseparatedbyacommonlanguage:Analysis
http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/06/two days before the pabudget d.html#incart river

PatriotNews:BudgetBattle2015-Whathavewelearned?:MondayMorningCoffee
http://blog.pennlive.com/capitol-notebook/2015/06/budget battle 2015 - what have.html

Tribune-Democrat:LackofbudgetprogressfrustratesRepublicans,Democrats
http://www.tribdem.com/news/latest news/lack-of-budget-progress-frustrates-republicans-democrats/article 09efa04e-1e0e-11e5-b171e3e6fb41f762.html

PhiladelphiaDailyNews:JohnBaer:Thestatebudget's5stagesofgrief
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150629_The_state_budget_s_5_stages_of_grief.html#fRWWJKfsTmsv6z3U.99

FOX43:Pa.SenatemovesGOP-ledbudgetproposalamidstpartyrhetoric
http://fox43.com/2015/06/28/pa-senate-moves-gop-led-budget-proposal-amidst-party-rhetoric/

ABC27:VIDEO:PAbudgetmeasureastepclosertopassing,butnottobecominglaw
http://abc27.com/2015/06/29/pa-budget-measure-a-step-closer-to-passing-but-not-to-becoming-law/

ABC27:LawmakerstakerhetorictoTwitterasPAHousepassesbudgetbill
http://abc27.com/2015/06/28/lawmakers-take-rhetoric-to-twitter-as-pa-house-passes-budget-bill/

PLSReporter:LegislativeleadersspinHouse-passedbudget
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/799/Legislative-leaders-spin-House-passed-budget.aspx

PLSReporter:Arebudgetstakeholdersbeingtoldtoprepareforabudgetimpasse?
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/802/Are-budget-stakeholders-being-told-to-prepare-for-a-budget-impasse.aspx

PhiladelphiaMagazine:WolfExpectedtoVetoGOPBudget
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2015/06/29/wolf-expected-to-veto-gop-budget/

ErieTimes-News:Op-EdbyEdRendell:Compromisecouldaccomplishbigthings
http://www.goerie.com/compromise-could-accomplish-big-things-ed-rendell

LiquorPrivatization

PLSReporter:Liquorprivatizationbillforgesaheadamidconcernsoverjoblosses
http://plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/ArtMID/472/ArticleID/804/Liquor-privatization-bill-forges-ahead-amid-concerns-over-job-losses.aspx


PatriotNews:GOPbudget,liquorprivatizationmoveforwardinshadowofGov.Wolf'sveto
http://www.pennlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/06/gop_budget_liquor_privatizatio.html#incart_river

PhiladelphiaInquirer:GOPintroducesplantoprivatizestateliquorstores
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150629_Push_to_privatize_Pa__liquor_stores.html#dcfjJ8Xzg4zlpymG.99

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Liquoroverhaul,budgetbillsnearingfloorofstateSenate
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/29/Republicans-continue-to-move-budget-privatization-bills/stories/201506290072

Tribune-Review:LiquorprivatizationbillreceivesamajorboostinPennsylvania
http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/8647715-74/bill-liquor-state#ixzz3eSDcSnSG

MorningCall:Pa.SenatepanelpassesbilltodismantleLCB
http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-pa-legislature-liquor-budget-0628-20150628-story.html

PatriotNews:Pa.winesstandtogainbypassageofshippingbill
http://blog.pennlive.com/wine/2015/06/pa_wines_needs_shipping_to_pass_to_go_where_it_needs_to.html?
ath=d72dfd9f90c3cb12229aa0976bd3013f#cmpid=nsltr stryheadline

Ethics

PhiladelphiaInquirer:Moneyta ks,especiallyduringlegislativesessions
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150629 Money ta ks

especially during legislative sessions.html

Tribune-Review:LackoffundingforStateEthicsCommissioninvitescorruption,expertsworry
http://tr blive.com/news/adminpage/8540118-74/commission-caruso-state#ixzz3eSDGaQjJ

MunicipalPensions

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Auditorgeneraltopresentpensionrecommendationstogovernor
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/29/Auditor-general-to-present-pension-recommendations-to-governor/stories/201506270091

Times-Tribune:Editorial:Helpcitieswithpensions
http://thetimes-tr bune.com/opinion/help-cities-with-pensions-1.1904702

Fracking,EnvironmentNews

Tribune-Review:DrillerstosubmitelectronicrecordsonfrackingchemicalsforPa.DEPtocheck,enforce
http://triblive.com/business/headlines/8612411-74/fracking-records-fracfocus#ixzz3eSDz5xKB

StateImpact/NPR:CleanAirCouncilChallengesStatePaneltoAdoptNewBuildingCodes
http://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/06/26/clean-air-council-challenges-state-panel-to-adopt-new-building-codes/

Narcan

Tribune-Review:ButlerCountyofficialsapplyforgranttocombatoverdoses
http://triblive.com/news/butler/8617586-74/drug-police-overdoses#ixzz3eSBesFlE

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Editorial:Druggedstate:Pennsylvaniacoulddomoretocurboverdoses
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/06/29/Drugged-state-Pennsylvania-could-do-more-to-curb-overdoses/stories/201506300073

BackgroundChecks

StandardSpeaker:Childabuseclearancelawbeingclarified
http://standardspeaker.com/news/child-abuse-clearance-law-being-clarified-1.1904891

ChescoDailyLocalNews:Volunteersinthecrosshair:Newlawcoulddetervolunteerism
http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20150627/volunteers-in-the-crosshair-new-law-could-deter-volunteerism

MedicalMarijuana

PatriotNews:TonyMay:WhatwillittaketofinallymakemedicalmarijuanalegalinPa.?
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/medical marijuana david reed n.html#incart river

PatriotNews:CharlieGerow:Here'showtokeepmedicalmarijuanafromgoingupinsmoke
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2015/06/heres how to keep medical mari.html#incart river

StatePolice

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Pa.statepolicelookingforafewgoodmenandwomen

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2015/06/29/Pa-state-police-looking-for-a-few-good-men-and-women/stories/201506290015

UPMC/Highmark

PittsburghPost-Gazette:Editorial:Healthplan:Pa.mustturnuptheheatonUPMC,Highmark
http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/2015/06/29/Health-plan-Pa-must-turn-up-the-heat-on-UPMC-Highmark/stories/201506290016

Capitolwire:SundaynightinthestateCapitol.
ByChrisComisac
BureauChief
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June28)Boy,Sundaynight
YouknowitslateJunewhentempersflareanddebategetstestyjustasitdidSundayeveningontheHousefloorasthechamberwas
consideringfundingproposalsforPennsylvaniasstate-relateduniversities.
Onehundredandthirty-onewasthemagicnumbertoapprovetheappropriationsforPennState,theUniversityofPittsburgh,TempleUniversity,
LincolnUniversityaswellastheUniversityofPennsylvaniaVeterinaryCollege.
Thechamberfailedtohititfivetimes,gettingyesvotesmostlyfromtheRepublicanmajoritywhichhad110or111membersvotingforeachof
thebills-andHouseDemocrats(alongwithahandfulorlessofGOPmembers)withholdingtheirapprovalforthenon-preferredappropriationsbills
thatproposetofund.
HouseDemocratssaidtheappropriationswithinthebillswerenotenoughtowarranttheirvotefortheproposedspending,andatthetail-endof
onesetofsuchcomments,offeredbyRep.MattBradford,D-Montgomery,HouseMajorityLeaderDaveReed,R-Indiana,interjected,No
disrespect,butcmonnow,thegentlemenvotedagainstthefundingforthegovernorsbudget,andnowwantstospendthatmoney.
ReedcontinuedovercallsfromHouseDemocratsforhimtostophisremarks,whichtheybelievedtobeoutoforder,andloudroarsfromthe
membershipandappearedtobecomeperturbedwiththepartyacrosstheaisle,andhegotlouderashespoke:Ifthegentlemanwouldlikeus
tobringthatupagain,wewilldoso.Wewillgooverthisbill,andwewillbringit[theGovernorsrevenueproposals]andseeifthegentlemanhas
thegutstovoteforittoday.
OnJune1,HouseRepublicanscalledupanamendmentcontainingGov.TomWolfsrevenueproposals,whichwasdefeatedunanimouslybythe
chambersmembership.
Tryingtocalmthesituation,HouseSpeakerMikeTurzai,R-Allegheny,beforecallingbothHouseleaderstotheSpeakersRostrumandfighting
toholdbackanamusedsmile-said,Members,memberspleaseBoy,Sundaynight
TheRepublicanmajorityofferedpaltryfundingincreasesforPennState,Pitt,TempleandLincolnuniversitiesandtheveterinaryschoolatthe
UniversityofPennsylvania,HouseMinorityLeaderFrankDermody,D-Allegheny,saidinapressreleaseissuedafterSundaysHousesession
completed.Wecanandwemustdobetterthanthis.
Doingbetter,accordingtotheDemocrats,meansfundingnumbersalotclosertothoseproposedbyWolf.Thegovernorsbudgetasproposedin
Marchsuggestedmorethan$82.1millioninnewfundingforthestate-relateduniversities(nearly$50.9millioninnewfundingforPennState,
$14.9millionforPitt,$15.4millionforTempleand$921,000forLincoln)butnofundingincreasefortheUniversityofPennsylvaniaVeterinary
College.
ThefundingpackagesupportedbytheHouseGOPwouldhaveprovidedan$8.4millionincreaseforPennState,a$4.22millionincreaseforPitt,
a$4.2millionincreaseforTempleandanearly$400,000increaseforLincolnUniversity.Thedefeatedplanalsoincludedanadditional$840,000
fortheUniversityofPennsylvaniasVeterinarySchool.Alltotaled,theproposalswouldincreasefundingbynearly$18.1million.
ButthechambersRepublicansandDemocratsknowthefailuretogetenoughsupportforthefundingofthoseinstitutionsisonlytemporary,as
thevotesforeachofthebillswerethesubjectofareconsiderationmotionwhichleavesthemeasuresonthecalendarforanothervoteinthe
future.
Thisisnottheendofthestory,saidHouseMinorityWhipM keHanna,D-Clinton.Inaveryshorttime,theHousewillagainhaveachanceto
voteontheseappropriations.Ifthefundinglevelsaresufficientlyclosetowhatthegovernorisproposing,thenDemocraticsupportwillbe
abundant.

AtaboutthesametimethingsweregettingrowdyintheHouse,plentyofcommentsaboutbudgetassumptionsandnumberswerebeinguttered
intheSenateAppropriationsCommittee.
Duringthecommitteeshour-plusdebateregardingtheGOP-developedGeneralAppropriationsbudgetwhichproducedlittle(ifany)bi-partisan
agreement-theonlynumberthatmatteredwas16.
ThatsthetotalnumberofthecommitteesRepublicanmembers,andithappenstobethenumberofvotesthatdefeatedafewDemocraticproposedamendments,aswellasadvancedtheGOPsGeneralAppropriationsbudgetHouseBill1192-tothefullSenate.Thebillwassentto
theSenatebytheHouseonSaturday,aftertheHouseamendedtheplanintoHB1192onFridayevening.
CommitteeMinorityChairmanVinceHughes,D-Philadelphia,hadfouramendmentspreparedforthebillreplacingcertainappropriationswithin
thebillwithamountssuggestedbyGov.TomWolfthreeofwhichwereconsideredbythecommitteeandonewithdrawnbythesenator.
Talliedup,theHughesamendmentswouldhaveaddedmorethan$1.6billiontotheexistingGAbill.Ofthethreethatdidgetconsideredand
defeatedadding$105.4milliontovariousstateeconomicdevelopmentprograms,adding$868.2millionforeducationfundingand$169.6million
fordrugandalcoholservices-$1.14billioninnewrevenuewouldhavebeennecessarytobalancethebudget.
Hughesmaintaineditwasnotthecommitteesresponsibilitytofindthemoney,butCommitteeMajorityChairmanPatBrowne,R-Lehigh,saidthe
unamendedversionoftheGAbillisbalanced,andsinceHughesamendmentsofferednosourceofrevenuetopayforthem,theyshouldntbe
approved.
Thisisabudgetthatspendswhatwehave,notwhatwewishedwehad,saidSenateMajorityLeaderJakeCorman,R-Centre,defendingthe
HB1192.
WithalltheRepublicancommitteemembersvotingwithBrowneandCorman,noneoftheamendmentsstoodachanceandtheDemocrats
knewit,butHughesnotedhestillhashisjobtodo.
ButwhileHugheswasntsuccessful,theDemocratsstilltookconsolationinonethingsummedupbySen.DaylinLeach,D-Montgomery:This
wholebudget,werespendingalotoftimearguingaboutititsnevergonnabecomelawbecausethegovernortheresnothingofthe
governorsprioritiesinthisbudgetand,youknow,hesnotgoingtosignituntilthereis.
IntheHouseAppropriationCommitteejustabitlaterintheevening,thenumberthanmatteredwas20theGOPvotesregisteredinfavorofthe
FiscalCodebillthatwillimplementtheGAbill.
AndjustlikeLeachforHB1192,HouseAppropriationsCommitteeMinorityChairmanJoeMarkosek,D-Allegheny,suggestedtheSenateBill
655(thenow-proposedFiscalCode)doesnthaveafuture.
Keepinmind,theGeneralAppropriationsbudgetissortathewaytheGeneralAssemblydetermineswheretheCommonwealthisgoing,andas
weknow,theGeneralAppropriationsbillthewheelsarestartingtofalloffalready,andtopassanamendmentthatwouldprovideinstructions
forthatvehiclewhichisgoingnowheredoesntmakeawholelotofsensetome,saidMarkosekpriortothecommitteeamendingtheproposed
2015-16FiscalCodelanguageintoSB655.
Toaddtoallthefun,thestateSenateadvancedaliquorprivatizationbilloutofcommitteeandlaterblewpastit's11p.m.curfewtoconsiderabill
andamendmentsaboutcreatingaspecialdistrictforstrugglingschools.Andno,it'snotabudget-relatedbill.
Boy,Sundaynight...whatastarttotheweek.
-30-

Capitolwire:Newliquorprivatizationplanmovesclosertoapproval.
ByKevinZwick
StaffReporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June28)-TheSenateGOP'snewliquorprivatizationproposalhasmovedclosertopassage.
TheSenateLawandJusticeCommitteeamendedabillSundaynightandreportedoutthatbillona7-4vote.HouseBill466stillhastogo
throughtheSenateAppropriationsCommittee,whichisexpectedtohappenMonday.AfinalfloorvoteisexpectedTuesday,saidSenateGOP
spokeswomanJenniferKocher.
ThebillislikelytomoveswiftlysinceRepublicansareexpecting$220millioninnewrevenuefromtheplanfortheirbudgetproposal.Ifapproved
bytheSenate,themeasurewouldstillneedtoreturntotheHouseforaconcurrencevote.
Asummaryoftheproposal,circulatedbySenateRepublicans,showsitwouldallow14,000existingbeersellers,includinglicensedand
importingdistributors,restaurants,hotels,delisandgrocerystores,topayextrafeestosellwineorliquororboth.
Theplanalsoleaseswholesalepermitsfor10yearsandremovesthePennsylvaniaLiquorControlBoard'sabilitytodeterminewhatwineand
liquorissoldinPennsylvaniaortosetpricesforproducts.
ThePLCBwouldbechargedwithclosingstate-runwineandspiritsstoresbytakingintoconsiderationtheavailabilityofliquorandwinethrough
theprivateretailmarket,thepricingofliquorandtheprofitabilityofthestore.

Wolfhassaidheopposesliquorprivatizationandinsteadfavorsimprovingthestate-controlledwineandliquorsystemwithmodernization
changessupportedbylegislativeDemocrats,includingbetterstorehoursandlocationsclosertosupermarkets.
SenateLawandJusticeCommitteeMinorityChairmanJimBrewster,D-Allegheny,duringthemeetingsaidtheproposal"morethanlikelywillbe
vetoed"byGov.TomWolf,whohasalreadythreatenedtovetotheRepublicans'budget.
Onthebill,MajorityChairmanChuckMcIlhinney,R-Bucks,saidmostlikelyitwillhavetohaveanimpactthatitwillincreaseprices.Buthesaid
governmentshouldn'tbeinthebusinessofsellingalcohol.AndSenatePresidentProTemJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson,thenewplan'ssponsor,said
itwouldlikelyhamperruralaccesstowineandliquor,buthesaidhisconstituentswantprivatization.
SenateDemocratsobjectedtotheproposalmainlyoverthelossofjobsforafewthousandstatestoreclerksifthesystemwereturnedoverto
theprivatesector.Brewstersaidprivatizationwillcausepainfuldinnertableconversationsforfamilieswhentheworkerslosetheirjobs.
Iwouldjustsaythinkaboutthatbeforeyoucastyourvote,Brewstersaid.
-30-

Capitolwire:SenateGOPliquorproposalleaseswholesale,provides'enhanced'wine,
liquorpermitsforbeersellers.
ByKevinZwick
StaffReporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG(June28)TheSenateLawandJusticeCommitteeisplanninglatertodaytoamendHouseBill466withaliquorprivatization
proposalthatwouldphase-outstatestoresandcutoutthePennsylvaniaLiquorControlBoardasthemiddlemancontrollingpricesandproducts.
Theproposalwouldalsoallow14,000existingbeersellers,includinglicensedandimportingdistributors,restaurants,hotels,delisandgrocery
stores,topayextrafeestosellwineorliquororboth.
Theplanalsoleaseswholesalepermitsfor10yearsandremovesthePennsylvaniaLiquorControlBoard'sabilitytodeterminewhatwineand
liquorissoldinPennsylvaniaortosetpricesforproducts,accordingtoasummaryobtainedbyCapitolwire.
Republicanleaderssaytheirproposedbudgetdependson$220milliongeneratedfromtheliquorproposal.Gov.TomWolfdoesn'tsupport
privatizationbutwantstoexpandSundaysales,increaseby$700annualrenewalfees,increaseotherfeesandpenaltiesandcreateafrequent
shoppersprogram.
Healsoopposesthepotentiallossofthousandsofjobsofunionizedstatestoreclerks.TheSenateGOP'sliquorproposalwouldprovidePHEAA
grants.
CLICKHEREfortheamendmenttobeofferedbySenateProTemJoeScarnati,R-Jefferson.
Restaurantandhotellicenseescanpayextrafortheabilitytosellupto192ouncesofwineandupto1.75litersofliquorforoff-premise
consumption,withanannualrenewalfeebetween$1,000and$3,000,dependingonprioryearsales.Beerdistributorsandimportingdistributors
canpay$45,000forawineorliquorpermittosellanyquantityorsizeofwineandliquorforoff-premiseconsumption,withanannualrenewalfee
between$2,000to$6,000.
ThePennsylvaniaLiquorControlBoardwouldissueenhancedwineandliquorpermitsequaltothenumberoflicensedandimportingdistributors
percounty.Remainingpermitswouldbeauctionedtounlicensedpersons,whocouldrenewtheirpermitannuallyfor$2,000to$6,000,depending
onprioryearsales.
ThePLCBwouldbechargedwithclosingstate-runwineandspiritsstorebytakingintoconsiderationtheavailabilityofliquorandwinethroughthe
privateretailmarket,thepricingofliquorandtheprofitabilityofthestore.
Thewholesaleoperationswouldbeleasedtoalicensedimporterfor10years,whilethePLCBwouldnolongerdeterminewhatwinesandliquors
canbesoldinPennsylvaniaorsetthepriceforproductsorsellproductstoretailpermitholders.
Thewholesalepermitwouldincludeaninitialfeeof15percentofthecostofgoodssoldaspaidbytheboardinthepastyear,andanannual
renewalfeeof15percentgrossreceiptspayableonaquarterlybasis.Thepermitholdercansellanddistributemorethanonebrandofwineand
liquorunderthesamepermit.Afeeof$2,500wouldbeleviedtosellanewbrandofliquor.
After10years,theimporterlicenseewouldbegrantedawholesalelicense,witharenewalfeeof5percentofthelicenseesgrossreceipts.
ThecommitteewillmeetoffthefloorlaterSundayintheSenateRulesroom.
-30-

From:

Stone,Sophie

Senttime:

07/06/201504:18:48PM

To:

Stone,Sophie

Subject:

PLSReporter:GOPleaderslettertoWolf:Budgetvetoputspoliticsovergoverning

PLSReporter:GOPleaderslettertoWolf:Budgetvetoputspoliticsovergoverning
http://www.plsreporter.com/Home/TabId/56/artmid/472/articleid/817/GOP-leaders%E2%80%99-letter-to-Wolf-Budgetveto-%E2%80%9Cputs-politics-over-governing%E2%80%9D.aspx

Author:JasonGottesman/Monday,July6,2015/Categories:NewsandViews

AdayafterGov.TomWolfvetoedaRepublican-craftedspendingplanlastweek,budgetnegotiatorssurfacedfromaregroupingmeeting
withnewresolvetofindcompromise.However,lessthanaweeklater,GOPleaderssentalettertothegovernorwithastarktoneabout
theirtruefeelingsofthegovernorsfullvetoofthebudget.
YourindiscriminatevetoofHouseBill1192,theFiscalYear2015-16GeneralAppropriationsBill,putspoliticsabovegoverning,"the
letterbegins."Thevetounnecessarilywithholdsbillionsofdollarsinundisputedstateandfederalfunds,whichwillpreventsocialservice
organizationsfromaccessingtheirstatefunds,andpreventschooldistrictsfromaccessingfederalfundappropriations.
Theleadersintheirletterpointoutthat274ofthe400lineitemsinthebudgetsenttothegovernorlastweekmeetorexceedthe
appropriationslaidoutbythegovernorinhisMarch3rdbudgetaddress.
"Clearly,therewasnoreasontoholdthosewhowouldreceivethesefundscaptiveduringthisunnecessarybudgetstandoff,"theysaid.
Thelettercontinuesbynotingthebudgetplanadoptedbythelegislatureisbalanced,theproductofhardwork,andwasnearly
unanimouslysupportedbyalllegislativeRepublicans.
"Youhaverepeatedonseveraloccasionsthatnowitisourplanversusyourplan.Thisisdisingenuous,"theywrote."Yourplanhasno
legislativesupport,whileourplanpassedbothlegislativechamberswithconsiderablemajorities."
TheletterconcludesbyofferingRepublicanscommitmenttoworkwiththegovernortofindabudgetthatmeetstheneedsof
Pennsylvaniawhilebeingresponsibletothetaxpayer,butitalsothrowsdownthegauntlet.
"WhiletheHouseandSenateexpressedtheirwillthroughthepassageofHouseBill1192,itisnowincumbentuponyouradministration
topresentarealisticcounterplanthatcanpassbothchambers,"theysaid.
Inresponse,WolfadministrationspokespersonJeffSheridansaidRepublicansarestandingupforspecialinterestsinsteadofthe
taxpayers.
"ItisreprehensiblethatRepublicanleadersarestandingupforoilandgasdrillersinsteadofschoolchildren.Thesearethesame
Republicanleadersthatguttededucationandthentriedtorestoreonly$8milliontoK-12education,"hesaid.
"Itislaughablethatthelegislativeteamthathasgivenusmulti-billiondollardeficits,annualfiscalcrisesandnumerouscredit
downgradesareallofthesuddenresponsiblefiscalstewards."

SophieStone|PressAssistant
OfficeofCommunications|OfficeoftheGovernor

308MainCapitolBuilding|Harrisburg,PA17120
Email:

|Office:

From:

Albright,Randolph

Senttime:

07/06/201508:59:50PM

To:

Hanger,JohnMcGinty,KathleenGhormoz,Robert

Subject:

RevisedBudgetPlans

Attachments:

RevisedBudgetPlan.docx

Attachedandcopiedbelowisanoutlineofourrevisedplan.

Randy

RevisedBudgetPlan
HouseBill1192$30.763Billiontotalspend(w/MondayAdjustments)
GovernorsBudget$31.912Billiontotalspend(w/SpringUpdate&LatestRevisions)
Difference$1.149Billion
GovernorsMondayConcessions:PlanCon$306millionand$150millioninadditionalcuts.
Anadditionalcutof$118millionwouldsplitthedifferencebetweenthetwobudgetplans.
GovernorsPriorities:
1.Educationfundingplanthatrestores$470millionaboveHB1192educationfundinglevels
2.Pensionreformplantoreduceunfundedliabilityby$17billion,includingfiveyearssavingsof$1.5billionforthestate
andschooldistricts
3.Liquorreformplantogrowstaterevenuecollections,expandsaleofwineinnewretailoutletsandimprovecustomer
convenience,andcreateanewindependentauthoritytooperatesystem
4.Balancestructuralbudgetdeficit,whileidentifyingefficienciesandnewcostsavingstolimitfuturespendinggrowth
5.Provide$2.5billioninannualschooldistricttaxreliefand$400millioninannualrentrebateassistance
6.FundingPlan:
a.CigaretteTax$1/pack,effectiveOctober2015
b.TobaccoProducts(excludingcigars)andecigarettes,effectiveOctober2015
c.SeveranceTax(WVmodel5%/4.7centsperMCF),effectiveJanuary1,2016
d.BankSharesTaxnewrate1.07%,effectiveJanuary1,2016
e.HospitalAssessmentincrease($100millionsavings),effectiveJuly2015
f.PersonalIncomeTaxincreaseto3.7%,effectiveJuly1,2015
g.SalesTaxincreaseto7%,effectiveJanuary1,2016
h.LimitedSalesTaxbaseexpansiontogenerate$800million,effectiveJanuary1,2016

RevisedBudgetPlan.docx

Revised Budget Plan

House Bill 1192 - $30.763 Billion total spend (w/Monday Adjustments)
Governors Budget - $31.912 Billion total spend (w/Spring Update & Latest Revisions)
Difference - $1.149 Billion
Governors Monday Concessions: PlanCon -$306 million and $150 million in additional cuts.
An additional cut of $118 million would split the difference between the two budget plans.
Governors Priorities:
1. Education funding plan that restores $470 million above HB 1192 education funding levels
2. Pension reform plan to reduce unfunded liability by $17 billion, including five years savings of
$1.5 billion for the state and school districts
3. Liquor reform plan to grow state revenue collections, expand sale of wine in new retail outlets
and improve customer convenience, and create a new independent authority to operate system
4. Balance structural budget deficit, while identifying efficiencies and new cost savings to limit
future spending growth
5. Provide $2.5 billion in annual school district tax relief and $400 million in annual rent rebate
assistance
6. Funding Plan:
a. Cigarette Tax - $1/pack, effective October 2015
b. Tobacco Products (excluding cigars) and e-cigarettes, effective October 2015
c. Severance Tax (WV model 5%/4.7 cents per MCF), effective January 1, 2016
d. Bank Shares Tax new rate 1.07%, effective January 1, 2016
e. Hospital Assessment increase ($100 million savings), effective July 2015
f. Personal Income Tax increase to 3.7%, effective July 1, 2015
g. Sales Tax increase to 7%, effective January 1, 2016
h. Limited Sales Tax base expansion to generate $800 million, effective January 1, 2016

From:

Albright,Randolph

Senttime:

07/06/201508:59:50PM

To:

Hanger,JohnMcGinty,KathleenGhormoz,Robert

Subject:

RevisedBudgetPlans

Attachments:

RevisedBudgetPlan.docx

Attachedandcopiedbelowisanoutlineofourrevisedplan.

Randy

RevisedBudgetPlan
HouseBill1192$30.763Billiontotalspend(w/MondayAdjustments)
GovernorsBudget$31.912Billiontotalspend(w/SpringUpdate&LatestRevisions)
Difference$1.149Billion
GovernorsMondayConcessions:PlanCon$306millionand$150millioninadditionalcuts.
Anadditionalcutof$118millionwouldsplitthedifferencebetweenthetwobudgetplans.
GovernorsPriorities:
1.Educationfundingplanthatrestores$470millionaboveHB1192educationfundinglevels
2.Pensionreformplantoreduceunfundedliabilityby$17billion,includingfiveyearssavingsof$1.5billionforthestate
andschooldistricts
3.Liquorreformplantogrowstaterevenuecollections,expandsaleofwineinnewretailoutletsandimprovecustomer
convenience,andcreateanewindependentauthoritytooperatesystem
4.Balancestructuralbudgetdeficit,whileidentifyingefficienciesandnewcostsavingstolimitfuturespendinggrowth
5.Provide$2.5billioninannualschooldistricttaxreliefand$400millioninannualrentrebateassistance
6.FundingPlan:
a.CigaretteTax$1/pack,effectiveOctober2015
b.TobaccoProducts(excludingcigars)andecigarettes,effectiveOctober2015
c.SeveranceTax(WVmodel5%/4.7centsperMCF),effectiveJanuary1,2016
d.BankSharesTaxnewrate1.07%,effectiveJanuary1,2016
e.HospitalAssessmentincrease($100millionsavings),effectiveJuly2015
f.PersonalIncomeTaxincreaseto3.7%,effectiveJuly1,2015
g.SalesTaxincreaseto7%,effectiveJanuary1,2016
h.LimitedSalesTaxbaseexpansiontogenerate$800million,effectiveJanuary1,2016

RevisedBudgetPlan.docx

Revised Budget Plan

House Bill 1192 - $30.763 Billion total spend (w/Monday Adjustments)
Governors Budget - $31.912 Billion total spend (w/Spring Update & Latest Revisions)
Difference - $1.149 Billion
Governors Monday Concessions: PlanCon -$306 million and $150 million in additional cuts.
An additional cut of $118 million would split the difference between the two budget plans.
Governors Priorities:
1. Education funding plan that restores $470 million above HB 1192 education funding levels
2. Pension reform plan to reduce unfunded liability by $17 billion, including five years savings of
$1.5 billion for the state and school districts
3. Liquor reform plan to grow state revenue collections, expand sale of wine in new retail outlets
and improve customer convenience, and create a new independent authority to operate system
4. Balance structural budget deficit, while identifying efficiencies and new cost savings to limit
future spending growth
5. Provide $2.5 billion in annual school district tax relief and $400 million in annual rent rebate
assistance
6. Funding Plan:
a. Cigarette Tax - $1/pack, effective October 2015
b. Tobacco Products (excluding cigars) and e-cigarettes, effective October 2015
c. Severance Tax (WV model 5%/4.7 cents per MCF), effective January 1, 2016
d. Bank Shares Tax new rate 1.07%, effective January 1, 2016
e. Hospital Assessment increase ($100 million savings), effective July 2015
f. Personal Income Tax increase to 3.7%, effective July 1, 2015
g. Sales Tax increase to 7%, effective January 1, 2016
h. Limited Sales Tax base expansion to generate $800 million, effective January 1, 2016