Elections Mean Something - for Budgets

Pennsylvania's delayed 2022-23 state budget is now law. The $45.2 billion spending plan earned Gov. Tom Wolf's signature one week after the official due date.

The plan includes a $1 billion boost in education funding, a new child care tax credit, a corporate tax cut, and a $2.1 billion deposit into the state's rainy day fund —all made possible by higher-than-expected revenues that led to a multibillion dollar surplus.  (Wolf announced those better-than-expected revenues in May.)

Further, the General Assembly agreed to spend $2.2 billion in remaining federal stimulus dollars on a number of conservation, water infrastructure, housing, child care, and public safety projects. But they've not yet had their come-to-enlightenment moment; none of the $2.2 billion will be used for direct payments to Pennsylvanians, as Wolf had requested.

Finally, the budget also includes $45 million in new election funding for counties statewide. That's potentially very consequential for those of us who want progressives to regain 14 seats in the PA House.