Governor Tom Wolf will deliver his third budget address today in Harrisburg, with members of the General Assembly anxious to hear what he proposes. He has already hinted at several priorities, including seeking additional funding for the state’s battle against opioid abuse, and imposing severance taxes on natural gas at the wellhead, while also saying he will not seek a raise in the state’s personal income tax.
One of those interested observers will be state House Majority Leader Dave Reed, who told us on 1160 WCCS’s Indiana In the Morning last week that this is the first major step in a months-long process. He says budget appropriation hearings will take place in the next weeks, and negotiations between the four legislative caucuses and the governor’s office will begin soon after.
Reed says Governor Wolf will continue to advocate for severance taxes, which the legislature has steadfastly resisted, for as long as he is governor. He is anxious to hear what else the governor proposes.
State revenues have fallen far short of last year’s budget projections as the national economy has continued to sag. The governor’s budget address is scheduled to begin at about 11:30 this morning.
