Governor Corbett released his budget for the upcoming fiscal year and he has kept his campaign promise to not raise income or sales taxes while balancing the budget. But it does increase state spending by a little more than two percent.
In his $28.4 billion budget, Governor Corbett tackles some big issues that are causing a lot of controversy. He is calling for major changes in state government to “fulfill the promise of a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.”
“Now is not the time to be timid in our approach,” Governor Corbett stated during his budget address. “Now is not the time to cling to old ideas and the status quo. Now is not the time to make small changes and expect big results. Now is the time to be truly innovative.”
Governor Tom Corbett addressed a lot of tough political issues Tuesday when he delivered his budget in the House chambers. He talked about pensions and how they must be reformed. His plan calls for reducing pension benefits for future and current workers while not taking anything away from current retirees or what current employees have already earned.
It would also set up a 401k style-plan for future hires.
“Resolving our pension crisis will be the single most important thing we do for decades to come,” Corbett cited.
The governor addressed transportation, saying our infrastructure needs repaired. To raise money, he's calling for an increased tax on oil and gas companies while decreasing consumer gas taxes by 17 percent.
“Transportation is the bloodstream of our economy. If it fails, our economy fails,” Corbett admitted.
The Governor continued his push to privatize the state's lottery system which he says saves $50 million to further help seniors. And he wants to create a Passport for Learning block grant with $1 billion over the next four years made from the sale of state liquor stores.
“He's taking the state in the wrong direction,” opined Democrat Vincent Hughes, who represents Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. “The number one issue that people are concerned about in Pennsylvania is jobs and going back to work and economic development.”
“I'm very disappointed,” agreed newly elected Democratic Senator Rob Teplitz. “It's a budget proposal based on false choices and unrealistic revenue estimates and it sets out a vision for Pennsylvania that I fundamentally disagree with.”
The governor also called for a reduction of the state corporate income tax from 10 percent to 7 beginning in 2015.
From here the budget goes to the House and Senate where parts of it will be challenged. It's due by midnight on June 30.
In his $28.4 billion budget, Governor Corbett tackles some big issues that are causing a lot of controversy. He is calling for major changes in state government to “fulfill the promise of a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.”
“Now is not the time to be timid in our approach,” Governor Corbett stated during his budget address. “Now is not the time to cling to old ideas and the status quo. Now is not the time to make small changes and expect big results. Now is the time to be truly innovative.”
Governor Tom Corbett addressed a lot of tough political issues Tuesday when he delivered his budget in the House chambers. He talked about pensions and how they must be reformed. His plan calls for reducing pension benefits for future and current workers while not taking anything away from current retirees or what current employees have already earned.
It would also set up a 401k style-plan for future hires.
“Resolving our pension crisis will be the single most important thing we do for decades to come,” Corbett cited.
The governor addressed transportation, saying our infrastructure needs repaired. To raise money, he's calling for an increased tax on oil and gas companies while decreasing consumer gas taxes by 17 percent.
“Transportation is the bloodstream of our economy. If it fails, our economy fails,” Corbett admitted.
The Governor continued his push to privatize the state's lottery system which he says saves $50 million to further help seniors. And he wants to create a Passport for Learning block grant with $1 billion over the next four years made from the sale of state liquor stores.
“He's taking the state in the wrong direction,” opined Democrat Vincent Hughes, who represents Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. “The number one issue that people are concerned about in Pennsylvania is jobs and going back to work and economic development.”
“I'm very disappointed,” agreed newly elected Democratic Senator Rob Teplitz. “It's a budget proposal based on false choices and unrealistic revenue estimates and it sets out a vision for Pennsylvania that I fundamentally disagree with.”
The governor also called for a reduction of the state corporate income tax from 10 percent to 7 beginning in 2015.
From here the budget goes to the House and Senate where parts of it will be challenged. It's due by midnight on June 30.