Governor Wolf Offers No Timetable for Budget

Governor Wolf is not optimistic that a budget will be passed prior to June 30th. Schools have followed the law, why can't the state?

Both PASA (superintendents' organization) and PASBO (business managers' organization) have indicated that 85% (YES ALMOST ALL) school districts plan to increase property taxes. About half of all school districts intend to cut or scale back academic programs. Nearly half plan on job cuts and thereby increasing class size.

The pension assessment, special education costs, and charter school costs are bankrupting local schools. Because of state action, local schools are left with expenses they can't pay.

The growing disease within school finance is deficit spending and balancing budgets through fund balance. This recipe for disaster will necessitate a bailout within the next 5 years.

Let's have a common sense approach to budgeting. We cannot tax our way to fiscal stability nor can we cut all expenses. We need to have a balance. Where can the state raise revenues and cut costs. They need to do both!