Guest Post: What does the state budget mean for the 168th?
by Alex Fraser
Intern Alex June 29, 2023 | 5:07 PM
Pennsylvania’s 2023-2024 budget (HB611) is an expansive document outlining where state and federal appropriations will be allotted. After passing through the House, the budget included important changes from the previous year and bolstered many key funding increases across a variety of areas. Let’s look at what the House’s budget means for the 168th District.
Regarding the Department of Aging, and other senior services, key areas to note are ongoing funding for caregiver support and grants to senior centers which are projected to remain strongly funded. In addition, top issues such as Alzheimer’s outreach, long term managed care services, and state health centers could see a boost in funding. An important program to highlight is The Achieving Better Care by Monitoring all Prescriptions Program, which is anticipated to continue being well funded. Lastly, county operations related to administration of the public assistance and medical assistance programs are looking to get a substantial increase in funding to boost efficiency.
Next, funding for areas in the education sector are assessed to increase. The three school districts in the 168th would have funding changes, with all three districts estimated to have boosts in both Special and Basic Education Funding. Teacher professional development and payment of required contribution for public school employee’s retirement are both set to remain strongly funded and possibly gain more funding than last year. Career and technical education programs are similarly projected to see a bold investment. Along the same line, operating expenses of community colleges would be allocated a significant portion of state appropriations. In terms of libraries, significant state appropriations would be allocated to public libraries, more specifically, some of these state appropriations will be given to the state library to provide reference services and administer aid to public libraries.
When it comes to public safety, a large portion of state appropriations is projected to be directed towards violence intervention and prevention, which would substantially increase their funding compared to last year's budget. Similarly, local municipal emergency services and commonwealth emergency medical systems are expected to remain well funded. Additionally, the state fire commissioner's office would be funded like last year and the Pennsylvania State Police are expected to receive a large portion of state appropriations for the public safety and protection fund.
Alex Fraser is an intern for State Representative Lisa Borowski