Third and State

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center said another bittersweet good-bye this week, to long-time research director Mike Wood. We will miss Mike’s unflappable demeanor, formidable work output and sly wit. But we are proud to make another excellent contribution to the new administration. Mike joins former PBPC director Sharon Wood in the Governor’s Budget Office. His new title is Executive Budget Manager – Division of Education (we’re saluting as we write that). Congratulations and best of luck, Mike!

School districts were hit hard by state funding cuts over the past several years. Gov. Wolf's first state budget proposal would help fix that; not only by restoring $400 million in basic education funding in 2015-16, but by using a large share of the revenue from a natural gas severance tax in 2016-17 and beyond to invest in schools.

It was a busy week in Harrisburg with the legislature rushing through pension and property tax bills before adjourning until June 1. The Senate passed SB 1, a 400-page proposal to revamp Pennsylvania’s public pension systems by requiring 401(k)-type plans for new state and school employees, and reducing benefits for current workers.