Overall the Senate Republican budget package totals $27.65 billion, more than the Governor's $27.14 billion.
The proposal restores about $500 million in funding cuts proposed by Gov. Corbett and make an additional $165 million in cuts of their own. As expected, the major areas of restoration include:
-- $245 million in funding for higher education-- $147 million for state-related universities, $83 million for state-owned universities, $15 million for PHEAA;
-- $50 million for cash-strapped school districts;
-- $14 million in early childhood education;
-- $168 million in mental health and retardation services;
-- $18 million to the Keystone Conservation Fund.
Budget Secretary Charles Zogby has already said the state cannot afford the Senate plan, noting mandated cost increases over the next two years will add more than $1 billion about projected revenue growth.
Budget Secretary Charles Zogby has already said the state cannot afford the Senate plan, noting mandated cost increases over the next two years will add more than $1 billion about projected revenue growth.
A final vote on the Senate GOP package is expected as early as Wednesday.
Here are the major changes from the Governor's FY 2012-13 budget request:
Department of Agriculture
-- No diversion of monies from the Horse Racing Fund
-- Agricultural Research - $787,000
-- Agricultural Research - $787,000
-- Hardwoods Research & Promotion - $270,000
-- Conservation District Fund - No Change
-- Transfer to Nutrient Management Fund - No Change
Department of Community & Economic Development
-- Transfer to Commonwealth Financing Authority - $ 9 million additional
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
-- No changes from Governor's recommendations
-- Overall cut from FY 2011-12 levels by $2.5 million
Department of Education
-- Student Achievement Education Block Grant - Not included
-- Basic Education Funding - $5.4 billion (same as in FY 2011-12)
-- PA Accountability Grants - $50 million
-- Mobile Science Education Program - $650,000 restored-- Community Colleges - No Change from recommended
-- Transfer to Community College Capital Fund - No Change from recommended
-- Regional Community Colleges Services - $1.6 million added
-- $32.9 million of School Employees' Social Security Funding moved to Career and Technical Education and Community Colleges
-- $32.9 million of School Employees' Social Security Funding moved to Career and Technical Education and Community Colleges
-- State-Related Universities - $147 million increase
-- State-Owned Universities - $82.5 million increase
-- PHEAA - $15.4 million increase
Department of Environmental Protection
-- No changes from Governor's recommendations
-- Transfer to Conservation District Fund - same $2.8 million as Governor recommended
-- Overall cut from FY 2011-12 levels by $10.5 million
Department of General Services
-- Capitol Fire Protection (Harrisburg) - $2.5 million (same as Governor recommended, up from $496,000 in FY 2011-12
Department of Labor & Industry
-- Overall restored to FY 2011-12 levels
Department of Public Welfare
-- Medical Assistance - Long-Term Care - $32.3 million added
-- MA Home and Community Based Services - No change from recommendations
-- MA Long Term Care - Managed Care - No change from recommendations
-- Legal Services - No change from Governor's recommendations
-- Overall agency budget the same as Governor recommended
Department of Transportation
-- Rail Freight and Intermodal Coordination - No changes from recommendation
-- Rail Freight Assistance - $5.7 million added (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)
Judiciary
Judiciary
-- No change from Governor's recommendation
Public Employee Retirement Commission
Public Employee Retirement Commission
-- Governor recommend zero, Senate added $707,000
Senate
Senate
-- $4.3 million increase (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)
House
-- $7.6 million increase (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)
State Legislative Support Agencies
-- $7.1 million increase (restored to FY 2011-12 levels)
