Yesterday, Representative Turzai, speaker of the House, said that Republicans may attempt to override Governor Wolf’s veto of the budget they passed in June. That budget raises no new revenue, does not increase school funding, does not provide any reduction in property taxes, and generates budget deficits in future years.
What would happen if the Republicans override Governor Wolf’s veto of their budget? Here are seven likely outcomes.
- 41 percent of school districts will lay off more teachers, guidance counselors, school nurses and coaches adding thousands to the 27,000 education jobs that were lost over the last four years.
- 71 percent of school districts will, once again, be forced to raise property taxes, so instead of property tax relief, taxpayers would feel more property tax pain.
- One-quarter of school districts will eliminate more language, art, music and sports programs and assess fees on students’ families who wish to participate in extra-curricular activities.
- After promising to forego a tuition hike this year, state universities will be forced to raise tuition since the increased state funding they were expecting will not materialize.
- People with disabilities and their families will continue to languish on waiting lists for critical services.
- The Department of Environmental Protection will be unable to hire the 50 inspectors it needs to ensure that gas drillers obey our laws and regulations.
- Wall Street will once again downgrade Pennsylvania’s credit adding to the $170 million in increased borrowing costs that taxpayers are already paying because of the five previous downgrades over the last two years.
Pennsylvanians want increased funds for their schools, property tax relief, a tax on gas drilling and a responsible budget—not more political grandstanding.