WITF.org
(Harrisburg) -- Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will roll out his fourth and final first-term budget proposal, an election-year plan expected to be relatively restrained after three years dominated by drawn-out partisan fights with the Republican-controlled Legislature over how to plug gaping deficits.
Administration officials and lawmakers describe the plan being released tomorrow as one that will carry no major new policy initiatives. Rather, Wolf is expected to use his budget to highlight priorities and cement accomplishments, rather than risk the partisan acrimony that plagued the first three years. A smooth landing for his budget could give Wolf a big boost as he campaigns for a second term.
A look at what Wolf will propose in his 2018-19 budget plan to lawmakers:
STATE POLICE SERVICE
Wolf will renew his call for municipalities that don't have their own full-time police force to pay a $25 per-person fee, or about $63 million total, to help pay for state police coverage that is currently supported, perhaps unconstitutionally, by $778 million in highway construction funds. Republican lawmakers, who represent most of the 3.3 million residents who receive full-time or part-time state police coverage, rejected Wolf's proposal last year.
NATURAL GAS DRILLING
For a fourth straight year, Wolf will propose a new tax on production of Marcellus Shale natural gas. Wolf administration officials said his proposal will resemble one approved by the Senate last July, which would raise substantially less money than what Wolf has sought previously. Click the link for the entire story original posted by WITF radio.
Gov. Wolf aims for smooth landing for election-year budget
