Local Democratic state legislators largely trashed Gov. Tom Corbett's latest budget, while Republicans praised it for holding the line on income taxes and increasing education funding.
State Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, praised the governor's focus on education, economic development and other programs without a tax hike.
"Four years without a tax increase, during tough times, is an admirable record of fiscal restraint," Baker said. "The added money Gov. Corbett recommends for schools, for special education, for the disabled and the autistic, for domestic violence protection, for state parks and forests, addresses programs that should be getting priority."
Democratic attack
In his budget address, the governor took credit for not hiking taxes, but state Rep. Kevin Haggerty, D-112, Dunmore, dismissed the self-praise.
"What does he think a 28-cent gas tax increase at the pump is? A voluntary program we all joined up for?" Haggerty asked, referring to an increase in the gas tax last year to pay for road and bridge repairs and mass transit.
Haggerty said the governor should take up his bill to repeal the gas tax and replace it with an adequate natural gas extraction severane tax so gas drillers "pay their fair share to help pay for transportation, not the working poor."
Sen. John Blake, D-22, called the budget "lackluster" for failing to take bold steps to deal with the state's myriad problems. The governor failed to provide serious help for struggling cities, funding for school districts or job training and cut funding for heritage parks and other programs, he said.
"I wish that there was a little more creativity and innovation," Blake said. "The easiest thing for me is the Medicaid expansion (under the federal Affordable Care Act). He refuses to do that. It would mean $400 million in savings for the (state) in this spending cycle in addition to insuring 500,000 of our citizens."
The governor has proposed an alternative expansion of Medicaid coverage that requires federal approval.
Sen. John Yudichak, D-14, criticized the governor for relying on one-time gimmicks to balance his proposed budget. He mentioned $75 million in revenue from allowing "non-impact" drilling in state parks and forests and lowering the minimum employer contribution to pensions for state government and school district employees.
Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, also questioned the governor's Medicaid proposal and said the proposed education funding falls short. Nothing in the budget will improve the state's poor rank in new job creation, he said.
"Businesses continue to relish over $2 billion in tax breaks, which have done little to nothing in terms of job creation, while the people of Pennsylvania continue to shoulder the burden with increased property taxes," Kavulich said.
Rep. Frank Farina, D-115, said he would not criticize the budget, saying at least Corbett focused on job creation, senior citizens, veterans and education.
"It doesn't help to stand up and resist and argue and just throw stones," Farina said. "I think we need to work together. That's our job, try to work in a bipartisan manner and do what's best for the Commonwealth."
Rep. Marty Flynn, D-113, said Corbett is delaying dealing with the state's most intractable problems - pension reform and others - beyond the November election.
"He's just kicking the can down the road," Flynn said. "He hasn't funded the original cuts (in education in Mr. Corbett's first budget)."
Republican praise
State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, and Reps. Tarah Toohil, R-116, and Karen Boback, R-117, didn't see it that way. They praised the governor's $10.3 billion overall public-school education proposal, which they noted was the most state funding for education ever.
Argall said he is pleased no new taxes were added.
"Unlike the federal government, we must spend within our means and today's budget address re-emphasized that. ... Most importantly, (Corbett's) budget plan does not come with any tax hikes for the hardworking taxpayers I represent."
Toohil said she would seek an increase in the basic education subsidy, which the governor said should stay the same.
"That directly impacts local property taxes," she said. "Hopefully we can go to school districts and say, 'Hey, we have four years in a row now increased education funding, please don't put in a tax hike.' "
However, Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-120, who will retire later this year, said the governor's proposal is "too little and too late" because he continues to leave potential revenues untapped, such as the gas severance tax and the Delaware loophole.
"Sadly, the governor's giveaways to big businesses have done very little to help average Pennsylvanians," she said. "This is an election year budget proposal. It asks us to just get Gov. Corbett past this year's election challenge. Future governors will deal with the fallout."