Corbett Addresses Obamacare, Education, Transportation in Proposed Budget
The governor has raised funding in some areas but at least some opponents don't feel the budget addresses important issues.
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Gov. Tom Corbett delivered highlights of his proposed 2013-14 budget in a speech before the state Legislature on Tuesday morning.
The $28.4 billion state budget plan, a 2.4 percent increase over this year, includes no general tax increases.
In one of the most controversial areas, Corbett recommended against expanding Medicaid, as provided for under the Affordable Health Care Act. Corbett plans to ask the federal government for flexibililty to let Pennsylvania customize the health insurance program for its needs or have the state reject the Medicaid expansion.
Under the act, also known as Obamacare, Medicaid could expand to cover people earning up to 133 percent of the poverty level and provide coverage for upwards of 600,000 uninsured Pennsylvania residents. The federal government said it will cover 100 percent of the benefit costs for the expansion until 2020, and 90 percent after that.
"One half-million working families need health care and that what this program can do," said Sen. Jay Costa, state Senate minority floor leader, when interviewed on PCN (Pennsylvania Cable Network) after the governor's presentation.
Opponents of the proposals said the budget comes up short in some other areas. Costa said the proposal did not address jobs creation.
But supporters felt the governor's proposal does do that.
"By taking steps to reform and reduce our tax burden, Pennsylvania is on track for yet another influx of jobs and economic activity," Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason said in a press statement following the speech. "Gov. Corbett’s budget will see that Pennsylvania tackles pension and liquor reforms along with our transportation infrastructure that hasn’t been approached in more than 30 years.”
Corbett suggested privatizing liquor sales and using the money saved toward funding education. The proposed budget steers $5.4 billion in new money over five years for enhanced maintenance of and improvements to roads, bridges and public transit systems.
With the proposal on the table, the state House and Senate can start hashing out details for the 2013-14 budget, which must be approved by the end of June.
The full text of Corbett's speech can be found by clicking here. Some of the other highlights are:
Education
- Adding $6.4 million dollars toward Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance programs. This money gives an additional 3,200 children, and their families, access to quality full and part-day programs as well as summer kindergarten readiness programs.
- Expanding funding for K-through-12 education by adding nearly $100 million dollars to be distributed to school districts "over and above last year's record funding levels," Corbett said.
- Maintains $1.58 billion full-funding levels for state and state-related universities.
- "Passport for Learning" Block Grant provides $1 billion dollar program to enrich public schools over the next four years with: "Ready by 3" that enhances elementary reading and mathematics through third grade, customized learning plans, funding to invest in programs and equipment that support science and math in grades six through 12, and providing schools money to invest in the necessary safety and security measures.
Transportation
- Calls on the legislature to pass a 17 percent reduction in the flat liquid fuels tax paid by consumers at the pump.
- Begin a five-year phase out of an artificial and outdated cap on the tax paid by oil and gas companies on the wholesale price of gasoline.
Pension Reforms
- No cuts to any retiree benefits for state employees or public school teachers.
- The budget will provide another $140 million dollars in pension savings for school districts across the state.
- Create a new 401(k)-style retirement benefit for future employees consistent with the retirement packages of private sector employees.
Health and Human Services
- Dedicates $40 million dollars to provide critical services to an additional 3,000 men, women and children with physical and intellectual disabilities. This will allow them to live independently in their homes and communities.
- Proposed budget includes more than $8 million dollars in additional resources to provide health care coverage to more than 9,300 additional children through CHIP.
- Adds $50 million dollars for senior programs.
Are you impacted by any of the budget proposals? Do you think the governor's plan is good or do you feel it doesn't address the Commonwealth's needs? Let us know in the comments section.
Joseph Graham
5:31 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Corbett administration continues to balance the budget on the backs of working
families by cutting education, healthcare and critical programs for our most vulnerable
citizens. The bottom line is that lawmakers and the administration continue to leave
money on the table that could be used to fund appropriately core services and programs.
Consider:
$275 million- Instead of cutting the capital stock and franchise tax rate, simply
maintaining the CSFT at the same rate would have raised $275 million.
$300 million- The past few months have had better than expected revenues, the $300
million year end revenue surplus should have been used to restore cuts instead of put
into a reserve fund.
$70-$100 million- Maximize revenues from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
(PLCB) through modernization initiatives would have generated between $70- $100
million in new revenue annually.
$500 million- Profitable corporations must pay their fair share of taxes in PA, closing
the Delaware loophole will raise between $400-$500 million annually.
$80 million- Closing tax loopholes on cigars and smokeless tobacco will raise $80
million annually.
$200-$400 million- The “fee” on Marcellus shale drillers that was enacted earlier this
year is one of the lowest drilling tax rates in the nation and does not support statewide
priorities like education, and health and human services. The General Assembly should
enact a fair tax that would raise between $200-$400 million annually.
bd
8:28 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Jo - What is the Democratic Party alternative budget plan? I'll bet it is to raise the state sales tax, the state income tax and other miscellaneous taxes. How else will you fund beyond the levels proposed by Corbett? I would like to see just one leader of the Democratic Party of this state offer a comprehensive budget alternative including the funding mechanism instead of hearing this constant whining and sniping.
cc
8:42 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
When is it the responsibility of the state to provide medical to people that don't want to buy it on their own. Thank goodness that Corbett isn't going along with obamacare. Eventually obama is going to run out of people to supply free healthcare to the free loaders.
Oren Spiegler
7:55 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
It is surprising to me that Governor Corbett is not placing the blame for the pension shortfall/calamity where it belongs, on former governors and General Assemblies, particularly on Edward "Spendell", who slept through the crisis for eight years, never addressing it or even bringing it to the fore as an issue. The crisis has been dumped into Tom Corbett's lap. His plan may be imperfect and it may not pass constitutional muster, but finally, a leader is seeking to address it. Perhaps Governor Rendell was too busy arguing in court for leniency for legislative felons to engage in the business of governing.
Greg
9:10 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I certainly hope that Corbett (or you Oren) isnt/arent blaming the previous Governor the way Obama is still blaming the previous President. Corbett's just posturing for his second run after seeing his pathetic poll numbers.
He should be taxing the gas people alot more than he is. But since the gas companies have Corbett in their pockets, we all know that isnt going to happen. People then complain that the gas companies will just raise costs on consumers but as everyone knows, the PUC must grant approval for price hikes. People then will say, well we'll tax them out of PA...the gas is here...pay to play and you better do it right and be fair to landowners because if you dont...youll be shut down until you fix the problem.
MSgt. John DeLallo
12:55 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
In response to Greg's comment. I suggest you pick up a copy of Oil and Gas Journal. You may not realise that this country is literally floating on an ocean of natural gas. Taxing the Marcellus play will simply send the drillers to Ohio, New York, Oklahoma, or ____________(insert your favorite state). Instant gratification is not going to happen when it comes to Marcellus. The results, properly planned for, will be a bonus for future generations.
Roger
1:38 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Greg, I don't think you read the proposals. If you did, you would not be making your comments about the oil and gas. Removing the cap means much more money from them, exactly what was wanted a year or so ago. Now, that Corbett has made this provision, the objectors still are griping.
I was waiting for somebody to continue the same dialogue about Corbett and the oil/gas industry, without reading what was proposed. My wait was not long.
cc
9:46 am on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Corbett isn't the one to cut taxes to the gas people, Rendell did this all on his own and now Cobett is cleaning up Rendell's mess.
JS
6:12 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
cc - as usual you have it completely wrong. Rendell pushed for gas extraction taxes constantly at the end of his term. It was the Republican led state Senate that refused to act. State senators and reps are in the pockets of the gas lobby, as is Corbett. We will never get the money from the drillers that other states are getting. Just wait until we get the bill for cleaning up after them.
bob balmer
6:17 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013
This is similar to what president Obama is doing with W
Pat
1:25 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I'm reading through the reporter's article noticing words like "adding," "expanding," "maintaining," "enhancing," etc., and the first comment I see (Jo Bagadonuts) laments how education, healthcare, and other critical programs are being "cut" and taxes aren't being raised high enough.--Befuddled
Roger
1:41 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The pension program was long due for changes. Hearing the opposition now about "impending disaster" is very sad. The previous path is not sustainable, and changes have to be made. Finally, somebody had the courage to stand to the table and propose changes. No, the changes aren't very much, and will not impact very many people. But, it is a start to change that has been long overdue.
The "impending disaster" characterization is done, as if the present path is NOT "impending disaster." The only outstanding question: Are the changes too little, too late, to avoid the disaster?
Roger
1:44 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
I would like to know about the $50M for "senior programs." I thought the lottery was so important to fund senior programs. I must be very naive, but I cannot name one program that the lottery provides funds for senior programs? Help me out please. And, tell me what another $50M will do for seniors that is now missing.
cc
8:59 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Let see what the Lottery does for Seniors,
Property Tax Rebates,
Rent Rebates for Seniors
Free and Reduced-Fare Transit for Seniors
Reduced Vehicle Registration Fees
Co-pay prescription Drug Programs
Meals-on-Wheels
In-Home Care
52 Area Office on Aging
Senior Centers are subsidize though the lottery so they have somewhere to go during the week days
Roger
5:58 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013
cc ... good list. How is a senior citizen to know about taking advantage of these programs?
cc
7:03 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Roger,
Any of the 52 Area Office on Aging can pass on this information. Also you can get information of the Pennsylvania site. I know many senior citizens that use many of these service. You can also ask your state rep or congress person what does the Pa Lottery support. This is only part of the list that I posted but there is more benefits for seniors in Pennsylvania.
Roger
7:00 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
Thanks, cc. I've never heard of 52 Office of Aging.
This strikes me as some other social programs, "Well, everybody knows ...." Wrong. Communication about many programs is absent. People only learn about them through word of mouth, or some grapevine.
cc
8:47 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
Roger, I have helped one of my neighbors who is in their 70's get some services in their home because they were having a hard time doing things them self. It is ran though the County and here is the address for anyone who had elderly parents, relatives or neighbors that need help but don't have the resources to pay for services.
Area Agency on Aging
Mission: To assist Allegheny County residents, age 60 years and older, to live safe, healthy and, when possible, independent lives.
Administrator
Mildred E. Morrison
441 Smithfield Street
Second Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2219
SeniorLine: (412) 350-5460
Toll Free: (800) 344-4319
Fax: (412) 350-4330
TDD/TTY: (412) 350-2727
email: SeniorLine@alleghenycounty.us
Business Office: (412) 350-4234
Many of the Senior Centers have advocates that help Senior get services in place in their homes paid though the lottery. I have Access picking up my neighbor on a daily bases and taking her to the center. They feed them a hot meal for 50 cents a day, they do exercises, play bingo,have dances, go on field trips to the zoo, to the Science Center. I also volunteer at the center she goes to 4 hours a week and have filled out paperwork for Seniors so they can get some of these free programs that the lottery pays for. If you ever have a question on this, please send a message and will be happy to point you in the right direction for help.
bender
2:26 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Well said Joe bagofdonuts Corbett has instituted several back door tax raises like the internet tax the gun range fee selling lottery to a. Foreign entity. now he wants to raise the price of gas by Dollar gallon this guy needs impeached
Roger
2:30 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Please point us to the fact of $1.00/gal gas increase.
Who submitted bids on the lottery auction?
bender
2:27 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Ok orbit cares about Is making money off the middle class For his corporate contributors
Oren Spiegler
7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Greg, I concur with you completely on the governor’s failure to tax the Marcellus Shale drilling companies at a rate which is commensurate with that which is assessed in other states in which this industry thrives. This would have contributed several hundred million dollars to state coffers. The drillers would not leave the state if they were assessed the same tax as other states levy.
In comparing Governor Corbett’s pension calamity to President Obama’s budget situation is apples and oranges, and you bet I am blaming Governor Rendell (and Governor Ridge and their General Assemblies, who chose to ignore the problem as it ballooned).
What was Governor Corbett to do with pension obligations that were dumped on him? The only argument that could be made in opposition to him is that he should have addressed the matter in his first year in office, not his third.
President Obama had a choice in what to spend. He has elected not only to maintain, but to accelerate the overspending initiated by fake conservative George W. Bush through offering cradle to grave care, placing no emphasis on personal responsibility.
bob balmer
8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
You have something there Greg! When President Obama supporters blame W they go nuts. But here they are blaming "spendell" for Corbett's issues.
bd
11:08 am on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sorry Bob but we all learned from Obama and the Democrats that when their programs are failures, just blame the other guy. It worked for the community organizer so it should work for Corbett as well. Corbett needs to come out daily and blame Rendell for the mess that the state is in.
bob balmer
2:36 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
So you can have it both ways?
bd
3:11 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
Sure, Bob. Like promising fiscal responsibility and debt reduction and then saying that there will be no cuts to entitlement programs at the federal level. Obamanomics.
JS
9:02 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
bd-
A quote from a statement Obama made on Tuesday -
"The proposals that I’ve put forward during the fiscal cliff negotiations, in discussions with Speaker Boehner and others, are still very much on the table.
I just want to repeat; the deals that I put forward, the balanced approach of spending cuts and entitlement reform and tax reform that I put forward are still on the table.
I’ve offered sensible reforms to Medicare and other entitlements and my healthcare proposals achieved the same amount of savings by the beginning of the next decade as the reforms that have been proposed by the bipartisan Bowles-Simpson fiscal commission."
While some insist that Obama offers no cuts to entitlement programs, the actual facts say something different. It may not be as steep as you, or the media that you get your information from, want, but he always has proposed entitlement cuts as part of a balanced debt reduction plan. There are extremists on both sides - those that want no spending cuts and those that want no revenue increases - Obama is not an extremist and no amount of lying and screaming and bumper sticker arguments from the right will change that fact.
Sue T
12:05 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
@JS--please provide a link to the infomation so we can see the specifics for what Obama is proposing.
bd
1:04 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Obama proposes nothing but words. No substance. Exactly what were "his" entitlement cut proposals? The fiscal cliff episide proved that Obama and the Dems will say that entitlement cuts are "on the table" but in reality are a weapon to use against the Republicans. And, the low information voters believe the lies. I have been around awhile and it has always been this way. I even remember the rich 1 per-center Al Gore claiming that the Democrats were saving Social Security against the GOP by putting it a "lockbox." Smoke and mirrors by the Dems but the media laps it up and spits it out to the masses. And who was it that really cut Medicare for the elderly. Why, it was Obama in Obamacare by $500 billion.
JS
1:44 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Sorry guys, not going to do your research for you. It's been in all the papers. I know Rush and Sean don't talk about it and theblaze.com isn't going into specifics, but the mainstream media pretty much has covered what Obama is proposing, what Boehner is proposing and what the tea party and left wing extremists want. You just have to pay attention.
Sue T
1:53 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
bd, that's why I asked JS the question. I've been waiting for Obama to actually put out a plan. I have yet to see one. If JS has some souirce to what this plan is, then he should provide it. If he can't, then the quote JS posted is just another vague statement from Obama with no substance behind it.
Sue T
1:56 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
And, according to NE12UKid, sources are required for any quotes posted on this site.
cc
8:48 am on Friday, February 8, 2013
obamanomics needs to go along with obama
Sue T
2:02 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
JS---I only have one source for any Obama plan, and that is what he said he would provide them for the public, on the White House website. I haven't been able to locate the plan there. I consider any out source (main media, cable news, newspapers) inaccurate as they paraphrase and put their own sland on things. When I want to know about a proposed bill, I go to the Federal Register and read it. I've read abouit two-thirds of the ACA for example. If it is information on a hearing or press conference, I go to CSPAN so I can see the information unedited. So, I will continue to watch the WH website for our president's plan.
NE12Ukid
5:10 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2013
Sue T1:56 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013 And, according to NE12UKid, sources are required for any quotes posted on this site.>>>>
Where and when did I say that, SueT from Forest Hills/ Regent Square Patch?
I don't make the Patch rules, but I know that the editor of the B-W Patch has several times informed posters to not post information without some kind of verification.
But doesn't that just make sense? Who'd put any consideration into a QUOTE that was unattributed in any way?
OTOH, it seems that the poster here had already indicated the source of his quote above. Not linked but identified where it came from. He just wasn't willing to add additional research into finding additional information for you, which is understandable, considering the tone of the discussion.