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Governor Corbett and The Republican House and Senate Majority Pass 2011-2012 State Budget that Fails PA's People
 Massive Cuts in Education, Job Creation, and Health Care Programs, In Spite of PA's $785 Million Surplus
In the last three weeks, Governor Corbett circled the wagons with the Republican majority leaders in the House and Senate, and crafted a budget for PA that dramatically fails Pennsylvania's people.
Without convening any negotiations between House and Senate, Democratic and Republican leaders, the budget makes massive and unnecessary cuts to education, job creation, and health care programs, while the state sits on nearly an $800 million surplus.
The following are some of the cuts in PA's budget:
BASIC EDUCATION
- School districts will lose more than $900 million overall – first time in decades no increase.
- Poorer school districts hit hardest – $900 per student cut.
- Programs that were completely eliminated include the Education Assistance Program
(tutoring), School Improvement Grants, Dual Enrollment, Science It’s Elementary,
Reimbursement of Charter Schools and High School Reform.
- Results: Significant property tax increases and thousands of job losses
HIGHER EDUCATION
- The State System of Higher Education (including Cheyney, West Chester and Kutztown)
takes an 18% cut.
- The four state-related universities (Penn State, Temple, Lincoln and the University
of Pittsburgh) take a 19% cut.
- Community colleges cut by 10%.
- Total cuts for higher education institutions and programs are $230 million.
- Results: Sizeable tuition increases.
JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
- $114.6 million cut in job training, job creation and economic development programs
in the Department of Community and Economic Development.
- 80% cut in Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP).
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
- Human Services Development Fund, which provides flexible funding for a wide range
of services (including funding to assist the homeless, HIV/AIDS prevention programs
and lead testing) to all 67 counties is cut by $8.5 million.
- Hospital, Health Care and Long Term Care cuts of $400 million.
- Reduction by 25% of funding for OB/Neonatal, Burn Centers, Critical Access Hospitals,
Trauma Centers.
- Funding to the County Child Welfare Services reduced by $40 million, further strapping
the counties as they try to provide services to the most vulnerable children in Pennsylvania.
- Hospitals’ funding for uncompensated care is reduced by 20% (this funding is
provided to assist hospitals that treat uninsured Pennsylvanians).
- Adult Basic health insurance program closes.
Result: No health insurance for 42,000 Pennsylvanians.
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| June 28, 2011 – Senator Hughes Speaks about the Pain of the Republican Budget. |
July 1, 2011 - Senator Hughes' Post-Budget Message for Concerned Citizens |
Offices of State
Senator Vincent Hughes
www.senatorhughes.com |
