PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET WILL COST HUNDREDS OF STATE JOBS ...
Wednesday June 30th 2010 12:17 PM
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Steve Fermier and WGAL TV
The state House and Senate are expected to vote on a $28 billion spending plan Wednesday.
That vote would put the budget on Gov. Ed Rendell’s desk by the midnight deadline for the first time since he has been in office.
The deal would increase spending by less than 1 percent. It would also cut 600 state jobs, which have not yet been identified.
The proposed budget would not require new or higher taxes, but relies on nearly $3 billion in expected federal budget aid.
The budget includes a $250 million dollar increase in state funding for public schools. Part of that will be paid for with a new tax on natural gas drilling.
A tax on smokeless tobacco products and cigars is not in the agreement.
The new state budget included two items Republicans had opposed -- a $250 million increase for education and a tax on natural gas drilling.
Republicans made the concessions in order to get the budget passed before the deadline.
There are still details that need to be worked out on the natural gas drilling tax, such as what the rate will be and whether any exemptions will be allowed.
www.wbal.com/
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... And, PA Gov. "Spendell" said it could cost 'thousands' of state jobs. ...
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/lrs