260 likes | 398 Views
2008-09 at a Glance: How is Pennsylvania Faring So Far?. MICHAEL WOOD PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER DECEMBER 2, 2008. Who We Are. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a statewide, non-partisan policy research project.
E N D
2008-09 at a Glance:How is Pennsylvania Faring So Far? MICHAEL WOOD PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER DECEMBER 2, 2008
Who We Are • The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a statewide, non-partisan policy research project. • PBPC provides budget and fiscal analysis and public education in support of policies that improve the economic and social well-being of low and middle income Pennsylvanians. • www.pennbpc.org
Objectives • Overview of the state budget for 2008-09 • How Pennsylvania state government compares with other states in terms of expenditures and taxation • Revenue collections in 2008-09 and how they compare to previous recessions • Options for 2009-10 budget
Over One Half of All State General Fund Spending Goes for Pre K-12 Education and Medical Assistance
Economic downturn starts to reduce tax collections • Through November, General Fund revenues are $658 million below estimate (6.8%). • Decreases are across the board: • PIT: -$77 million (2.0%) • Sales Tax: -$116 million (3.1%) • Corporate Taxes: -$150 million (15.5%) • Realty Transfer Tax: -$28 million (15.0%) • Inheritance Tax: -$24 million (6.8%) • Other Taxes (Liquor, Cigarette, Malt Bev.) -$11 million (2.4%) • Non-Tax Revenue: -$253 million (195.8%)
In Last Recession, Income-Based Taxes Took Up to Two Years to Equal Pre-recession Levels
Facing the Future: What are our options? SHARON WARD PENNSYLVANIA BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER DECEMBER 2, 2008
How Bad Is It? POTENTIAL REVENUE SHORTFALL FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 • If current recession is same depth and duration of 2001 recession: $1.5 billion • Annualized revenue shortfall 6.8%: $ 2.0 billion • ???
PENNSYLVANIA RESPONSE • 2008-09 budget was changed • Increase 3.9% down from 4.2% • Real 1.3% reductions in many departments • Rendell October 30th response • $311 millions in reductions for 08-09 • 4.25% for many departments, hiring freeze • $40 million cut in Motor License Fund • December 1 update • Governor estimates $1 billion to $2 billion deficit • New cuts announced December 9
Balancing the 2008-09 Budget • Use the Rainy Day Fund: $750 million • Work for Federal fiscal relief • House bill: $426 million • Senate bill: $923 million • Find Cost Savings: $500 million?
Are Spending Cuts the Only Option? Economist Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate and Peter Orszag, Director of the Congressional Budget Office: “ …if anything, tax increases on higher-income families are the least damaging mechanism for closing state fiscal deficits in the short run.” “Reductions in spending on goods and services, or reductions in transfer payments to lower-income families are likely to be more damaging to the economy in the short run than taxes on higher income families.
The Future….. Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center 412 North Third St. Harrisburg, PA 17101 717-255-7156 www.pennbpc.org