THE 2018-2019 EXECUTIVE BUDGET
On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, Governor Tom Wolf addressed a joint session of Pennsylvania's Senate and House members to present his fourth Executive Budget. His relatively short budget address reviewed what he feels Pennsylvania has accomplished together over the last year and outlined his priorities for the coming year - the establishment of a natural gas severance tax, an investment in early childhood education, and investing in vocational training - without appearing to put a new, broad based tax in place. Here's
a report from the Allentown Morning Call
that describes Governor Wolf's budget address at the Capitol, and you can
read the speech here
.
What's in it for our membership?
Governor Wolf's proposed budget left funding for Pennsylvania's Arts and Culture sector very close to what was proposed last year. You can review the
line items here
. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts (PCA), part of the Governor's office and the agency that provides general operating grants to around 20 Pennsylvania art museums, receives level funding for its operations and grant programs under this plan. Marketing for Accredited Zoos in the line items for the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) was zeroed out from the $750,000 that was available last year. Marketing for Tourism in the DCED budget would be reduced to approximately $4 million in this proposal. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) would see a 3% increase in its operational budget, and its Cultural and Historical Support Grants program would see level funding at the $2 million level.
The presentation of the Executive Budget marks the beginning of budget season in Harrisburg. It serves as a starting point for the Senate and House. The deadline to complete the budget process is June 30, 2018.