The House Wednesday voted to approve the state General Fund budget drafted by House Republicans which restores $3.8 million in funding for conservation districts, adds $2 million for the Heritage Parks Program, restores $400,000 in funding for Sewage Facilities Planning Grants and provides a $4.4 million increase to the Department of Environmental Protection personnel line items.

The budget also cuts Commonwealth Financing Authority funding by $2.7 million and makes a 42.7 percent decrease to funding for the Joint Legislative Air and Water Pollution Control and Conservation Committee.

None of the business tax cuts proposed by Gov. Corbett are included in the proposal.

Differences with FY 2012-13 (Governor’s proposal)

Environmental Protection

General Fund - $129.2 million, 3.5 percent increase - $4.4 million (Governor's $127.6 million)

Conservation Districts - $2.8 million restored

Sewage Facilities Planning Grants - $400,000

Conservation and Natural Resources  

General Fund - $54.9 million, 4.2 percent increase - $2.2 million (Governor's $52.7 million)

Heritage Parks Grants - $2 million restored

Agriculture

General Fund - $123.1 million, 4.9 percent decrease - $6.3 million (Governor's $117.8 million)

Animal Health Commission costs transferred to Race Horse Fund - $4.3 million

General Government Operations - cut $3.1 million

Conservation Districts - $1 million restored

The House Republican budget spends $28.3 billion, which is a $578 million or 2.1 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

The Governor proposed a budget of $28.4 billion General Fund budget, but included some $175 million in projected savings through pension reform.  The current FY 2012-13 budget is $27.7 billion.

The budget contained in House Bill 1437 was based on current law and does not factor in any policy proposals currently being considered by the legislature.  It does not include pension reform proposal, any revenue from liquor privatization or the pending transportation funding proposals.

Click Here for highlights of the budget by House Republicans.  Click Here for the budget spreadsheet.

The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration with 9 voting days left before the July 1 budget deadline.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled a meeting off the floor on June 17 to consider the bill.

NewsClips:

House Approves $28.3 Billion Budget

House Democrats Sharply Criticize GOP Budget

Corbett, GOP Leaders Meet On Budget

It’s Crunch Time For Budget In Harrisburg

Corbett Not Backing Down On Big Policy Issues

Corbett Talks Tough, But It’s Up To Lawmakers

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6/17/2013