While Gov. Corbett signed the Fiscal Code bill-- House Bill 278 (Baker-R-Tioga)-- implementing the budget which included provisions creating a new community college and regulating conventional oil and gas well separately from Marcellus Shale wells he did item veto certain provisions with specific dollar amounts attached.
Click Here for a copy of the item veto message listing those items.
In response to questions after the Governor’s remarks, Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said all specific dollar earmarks in the Fiscal Code bill for legislative caucus projects have been placed in budgetary reserve.
The major line item vetoed by the Governor include--
-- $5 million for the Senate and House as reimbursement for parking expenses
-- $500,000 in DCNR’s budget for Washington Crossing Historical Park
-- $150,000 for independent research of natural gas drilling
-- Specific amounts in specific counties for sewage facilities planning, system operations
Summary Of Remaining Provisions
Here’s a quick summary of some of the major provisions--
Major Programs Included--
— Requires DEP to use funds to promulgate separate conventional and unconventional oil and gas regulations-- Senate Bill 1378 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson), House Bill 2350 (Causer-R-Cameron) were never considered by the full Senate, House)
— Creating new Rural Regional College-- Senate Bill 1000 (Scarnati-R-Jefferson) which passed the Senate, House Bill 1701 (Causer-R-Cameron) which did not pass the House.
— Reduction in Small Games of Chance license fee from $2,000 to $500
— Education funding distribution to local school districts
— $10 increase in Judicial surcharge
Transfer of Funds--
— Suspend transfer to Rainy Day Fund
— Transfers $17.6 million from the Horse Racing Fund
— Transfers $225,000,000 of tobacco venture assets to PSERS
— Transfers $8,000,000 in excess law enforcement grants from Gaming Board to General Fund
— Transfers $5,676,000 from Gaming Capital money to General Fund for Pittsburgh Penguins
— Transfer $20 million from State Forest Timber leases
— Transfers $95 million from DCNR Oil and Gas Fund for additional “non-impact” gas leasing
— Transfers $8,672,845 from the Alternative Energy Investment Act
Other Changes--
— Establish H20 account to hold gaming money and Act 13
— Distributed tobacco payment to program
— Civil Service reforms authorize operational contracts
A detailed summary and House Fiscal Note are available for House Bill 278.
