TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Pennsylvania faces a mounting budget deficit despite signs of improvement in the economy and a boost in tax collections for January, said state Rep. Joe Markosek of Monroeville, the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
The state’s estimated deficit of $4 billion will require lawmakers and Gov. Tom Corbett to make “substantial cuts” to the $28 billion budget, said Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley. A clearer picture will emerge March 8 when Corbett gives his budget address to the General Assembly.
State revenue collections for January totaled $72.8 million, or 3.4 percent more than anticipated, according to figures Corbett’s office released Tuesday. For seven months of the fiscal year that began July 1, revenue was $264 million, or almost 2 percent, more than estimated.
Even if that growth continues, “it won’t fill the hole,” said House Appropriations Chairman Bill Adolph… (more)
