PA. GOP Budget Has Serious Inequities that Defy Explanation (Hburg Nwspapr Editorial)

[JPZenger]

http://www.pennlive.com/editorials/index.ssf/2011/06/gop_heroes_a_close_scrutiny_of.html

Excerpts of Harrisburg Patriot-News editorial:

"...the $27.3 billion budget plan asks a lot of Pennsylvania citizens and little of elected officials. House Republicans shaved a few million off funding for their own chamber, amounting to a scratch of under 4 percent. Compare that with the Harrisburg School District, which would receive almost 13 percent less in state funding next year under the GOP proposal. As if the General Assembly’s unwillingness to share the pain isn’t enough of a rub, the various caucuses continue to sit on close to $200 million in “reserve funds.”

Harrisburg and Steelton-Highspire, the two highest poverty districts in the area, would receive cuts per student of more than $800. Compare that with Derry Twp., which would receive a $92 cut per student in the House GOP budget.

While Republicans in the House are correct that no one wants to see personal income taxes or sales taxes go up, there are ways to generate needed revenues without calling for more from taxpayers. At the top of that list is the surplus of more than $500 million. This isn’t a fluke. The state has seen higher revenues in April and May and that looks likely to continue. The majority of that money should go to education.

The other obvious revenue raiser is a severance tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction. Even in conservative circles, there is disbelief the state refuses to put Pennsylvania on the same playing field as every other major gas-producing state."