Lycoming News

The Pennsylvania Senate has approved a fiscally responsible 2024-25 state budget, which aims to create new job opportunities, includes no new taxes, and addresses the state's economic and demographic challenges. State Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) announced that the $47.59 billion spending plan is $740 million less than Governor Josh Shapiro's February proposal and adds $740 million to the state's Rainy Day Fund.

Key measures in the budget aim to boost Pennsylvania’s economy by continuing to phase out the Corporate Net Income Tax and eliminating the Start-Up Penalty for businesses relocating to Pennsylvania. The budget also includes a $50 million annual recurring investment in the Clean Streams Fund for agricultural conservation, nutrient management, clean water procurement, and stormwater management.

Senator Yaw highlighted that lawmakers addressed permitting delays with the creation of the Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) Program. This program will establish permit review timelines by the Department of Environmental Protection and conservation districts, implement a new permit tracking system, and offer third-party reviews of permit applications.

The budget allocates significant resources to empower parents and families in meeting their children's educational needs. The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program will receive an additional $75 million, bringing total funding to a record $630 million. K-12 education funding will increase by more than $1 billion, including substantial allocations for Basic Education subsidies, Ready to Learn Block Grants, and school facility improvements.

School districts will benefit from reduced cyber charter school special education costs through a state-funded reimbursement system. To attract students to Pennsylvania schools and connect them with quality careers post-graduation, Grow PA scholarships of $5,000 will be available for students enrolled in high-demand education programs who agree to work in these industries within Pennsylvania after graduation.

The budget also includes new funding for career and technical education programs ($25 million), increases funding for the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program ($36 million), and provides additional support for transportation infrastructure projects by phasing out State Police from the Motor License Fund.

Additional funds are allocated for county mental health services ($20 million), nursing facilities ($134 million), intellectual disability/autism services ($278 million), LIFE providers ($16.7 million), avian influenza response efforts ($10 million), and various law enforcement initiatives targeting human trafficking ($1 million), organized retail theft ($2.7 million), and crimes on SEPTA properties ($1.2 million).

Contact:

Elizabeth Weitzel

717-787-3280