State Democrats ‘deeply troubled’ over budget proposals – The Philadelphia Tribune
HARRISBURG The $32 billion spending plan that became law on July 10 without Gov. Tom Wolfs signature still has no set arrangement for funding it, and Philadelphia-area Democrats said financing packages offered up by the GOP are irresponsible and they fear the states debt will increase.
Already, Standard & Poors alerted government officials that Pennsylvanias credit rating is in jeopardy of downgrading and a budget without means to fund it only hurts the states tenuous portfolio.
I am deeply troubled that the Senate and House Republicans who dominate both chambers waited so long after Governor Wolfs budget address back in February to begin discussing how to pay for the $32 billion spending bill supported by members of both parties on June 30, said State Rep. Christopher Rabb, a Philadelphia Democrat who serves the 200th Legislative District.
Nearly two weeks into the new fiscal year, Republican leadership from both chambers have refused to consider a shale tax, an adjustment to the states personal income tax which could provide savings to most families, a long-overdue minimum wage increase or an end to the Delaware loophole which allows for continued corporate welfare for the wealthiest Pennsylvania-based businesses paid for by hard-working families who are deprived of those revenues being allocated to valuable services and resources that benefit millions of residents across the state, Rabb said.
State Rep. Joanna McClinton, also a Philadelphia Democrat and who serves the 191st District, said when she began her term there was a budget impasse and GOP leadership couldnt coordinate and get on the same page and lead effectively.
Its very disheartening. The governor came to us, as he always does, gave us his priorities several months ahead of time and here we are in July, and we havent handled that business, McClinton said.
Without new revenue, the general fund will have a negative balance for eight months, and the state is basically operating on a credit card for eight months out of the year which is fiscally irresponsible, said State Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky, a Democrat from neighboring Delaware County.
Several lawmakers worked through a recent weekend trying to find ways to forge a plan to fund the spending bill and fill the more than $2 billion state budget gap.
However, they fell short of an agreement.
The governor and House Democrats said they want to ensure the revenue bill includes significant recurring revenue sources to avoid the credit downgrade threatened by Standard and Poors last week if Pennsylvania continues to try to borrow and mortgage its way out of its deficit.
I showed up to work this week with one goal in mind and that was to pass a fair and balanced budget, said State Rep. Maria Donatucci, the chair of the Philadelphia Delegation.
The House passed a budget that increased education funding for the City of Philadelphia by $34 million. Unfortunately, as the past week has come and gone, my colleagues across the aisle have only offered proposals that will hurt Philadelphia schools and Philadelphia school children, Donatucci said.
It is vital that we fund our early education initiatives and provide our children with the quality education they deserve. And we must now find a responsible way to pay for it, she said.
Among the ways Donatucci, Rabb and other Democrats have proposed is the implementation of a Marcellus shale severance tax and raising the minimum wage.
These are issues that I have been fighting for since I first took office, Donatucci said. I am willing to stay in Harrisburg as long as I have to and will continue to speak up for our most vulnerable residents. My constituents, and the entire city of Philadelphia, are counting on us to not only get this done, but to get it done right, she said.
Rabb accused Republicans of wanting to pay for the budget with a risky expansion of gambling and liquor sales, protecting wealthy corporations and slashing critical resources for the most vulnerable.
Democrats like me want to end poverty wages for hard-working women and men trying to support their families, end corporate welfare and make natural gas producers pay their fair share like regular taxpayers do so that we can better fund our schools, encourage job growth, care for our elders and others most in need and protect our environment, Rabb said.
Far bigger than our impending financial crisis is the crisis in leadership and vision in Harrisburg where Republicans have wreaked havoc for decades. Further, the budget process itself is a prime example of garbage in, garbage out because too much of the negotiations happen too late and with little transparency, accountability, creativity and inclusiveness, he said.
Meanwhile, as public attention continues to focus on ways to pay for the budget, Republicans in the state House have quietly been pushing a radical overhaul of the states Medical Assistance program that would impose work requirements on thousands of beneficiaries.
Two newspaper reports on Thursday said the bill, sponsored by Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams County, cleared the state House on a party-line vote and is now awaiting action by the Senate, which could happen at any time.
The language is included in a piece of budget-enabling legislation known as the Human Services Code. The two chambers are now on six hours notice to return to Harrisburg in the event of a budget agreement.
That means a vote on the Medicaid revisions could happen as part of that.
Activists have accused the House of trying to push the bill through to avoid a public outcry, even as Washington works on a radical overhaul of Obamacare.
This is kind of done in the middle of the night, moving forward proposals that would impact hard-working Pennsylvanians that rely on Medicaid for coverage, Antoinette Kraus, of the Philadelphia-based consumer group Pennsylvania Health Access Network, said.
Donatucci said shell continue to urge her Republican colleagues to do what is right for all Pennsylvanians. Its time to put people before party, she said.
See more here:
State Democrats 'deeply troubled' over budget proposals - The Philadelphia Tribune
- Democrats find unlikely defender over Biden decline revelations Trumps former press secretary - The Independent - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Whole Hog Politics: The autopsy Democrats actually need - The Hill - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- The Democrats path back to power might start in places like this Appalachian town - AP News - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- The top Democrats leading the fight against Trumps agenda - The Conversation - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Judge overturns firing of Democrats on intelligence and privacy oversight body - Nextgov - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Opinion | Trump just handed Democrats their midterm message - The Washington Post - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Democrats push back on Gov. Gavin Newsoms proposed Medi-Cal changes for undocumented immigrants - Los Angeles Daily News - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- FTC's Democrats to ask judge to rule Trump fired them illegally - Reuters - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Sen. Chris Murphy: 'It was a mistake' for Democrats to let Biden stay in the race - NBC News - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Pass Horrid Tax Bill Thanks to Democrats Dying in Office - The New Republic - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Analysis | For Democrats, theres no escaping (for now) the Biden hangover from 2024 - The Washington Post - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- The Democrats One and Only Union-Busting Governor - The American Prospect - May 24th, 2025 [May 24th, 2025]
- Democrats push to strip Trump of authority over police agency that protects judges as threats against judges surge - CBS News - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- How Many Democrats Have Died In Office This Session? - Newsweek - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Rubio defends Trump's foreign policy as Democrats grill him on Putin and aid cuts - NPR - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Judge finds Trumps firing of Democrats on privacy oversight board unlawful - The Hill - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Democrats Ask for Inquiry Into Pam Bondis Role in Qatar Jet Gifted to Trump - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Democrats Are Overperforming in 2025 Thanks to Trump and a Fresh Focus on Grassroots Organizing - The Nation - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- What are we doing here?: Democrats were shocked at Bidens decline but stayed quiet, according to new book - CNN - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- We shouldnt blow this one: why Democrats have a chance to retake the working class - The Guardian - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Opinion | Voters dont like Democrats. It may not matter for the midterms. - The Washington Post - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Zeldin, Democrats spar over grants and rollbacks - The Hill - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- The Last 8 Members of Congress to Die in Office Have All Been Democrats - Business Insider - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Democrats Consider Tearing Up the Playbook - The Bulwark - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Democrats Pause Their Anger at Biden Over 2024, but Have New Questions - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Pentagon accepts 747 from Qatar as Democrats try to block Air Force One plan - Breaking Defense - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Opinion | Biden Is a Scapegoat. The Democrats Are the Problem. - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Democrats Move to Block Over $3 Billion in Weapons Sales to Qatar and U.A.E. - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- A Vulnerable Governor and an Intraparty Feud Signal a Bumpy Road for Democrats - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Democrats let 'no tax on tips' pass the Senate. That doesn't mean they actually back Trump's campaign promise. - Business Insider - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Alina Habba targeted Democrats when she became New Jerseys top prosecutor. Now shes following through. - Politico - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Opinion | Democrats Are Getting Some Things Right - The New York Times - May 22nd, 2025 [May 22nd, 2025]
- Its time for Joe Biden to go away': Democrats are triggered by Bidens return to the spotlight - Politico - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Democrats Have a Real Shot at Retaking the Senate in 2026 - New York Magazine - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Early voting in, voter ID out as Democrats advance sweeping election bill - Spotlight PA - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Before they name a 2028 nominee, Democrats will have to decide which state will weigh in first - ABC News - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- Biden didn't deceive Democrats about his decline. It's time to admit the truth. | Opinion - USA Today - May 15th, 2025 [May 15th, 2025]
- 35 Democrats vote with GOP to block Biden rule allowing Newsom's gas car ban - Fox News - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats eager to grill Waltz during confirmation hearing for U.N. post - The Washington Post - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- AOC says she is weighing a bid to lead House Oversight Democrats - Politico - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Full List of Democrats Voting to Block California Ban on Gas-Powered Cars - Newsweek - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- California Democrats Split on Bills to Promote Housing - Governing - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Dear Democrats, Republicans Are Eating Your Lunch on Education. What Are You Going to Do About It? - RealClearEducation - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Sen. Slotkin says Democrats need to get Alpha energy and fight for middle class - PBS - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- More than 40 congressional Democrats said in a letter that CBP actions have turned international travel to the U.S. into a "nightmarish... - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats Could Win First Texas Senate Race in 33 Years: Poll - Newsweek - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Experts: Democrats likely to win NJ and VA races and more Virginia headlines - Virginia Mercury - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- "Hegseth next": Democrats press Trump not to stop with ousting Mike Waltz - Axios - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats rally at US Capitol to decry failure of Trumps first 100 days - The Guardian - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Opinion | Democrats can win over young Trump voters. Heres how. - The Washington Post - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats' Chances of Beating GOP's Jon Husted in Ohio, According to Polls - Newsweek - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Democrats eager to grill Waltz during confirmation hearing for U.N. post - MSN - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Contributor: Democrats, please stop trying to be cool - Los Angeles Times - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Lessons From Across the Pond on How Democrats Can Recover? - WVIK, Quad Cities NPR - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- Slotkin's fear of using 'oligarchy' speaks to a deeper problem for Democrats - MSNBC News - May 2nd, 2025 [May 2nd, 2025]
- House Democrats' old guard prepares to fight the youth revolt - Axios - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Most Democrats say their partys elected officials are not pushing hard enough against Trumps policies - Pew Research Center - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Greg Casar Pitches a Resistance 2.0 for Democrats in the Age of Trump - The New York Times - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- House Democrats jockey behind the scenes to become party's top investigator of Trump administration - NBC News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- What should Democrats do now? Everyone has a different answer - BBC - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats claims victory in special election for Iowa House seat representing Cedar Rapids - The Des Moines Register - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- What have the Democrats achieved in Trumps first 100 days? - The Conversation - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Texas House Republicans flex their might after Democrats threaten legislative priorities - The Texas Tribune - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats are still divided but point to recent election wins as signs of turnaround after Trump's first 100 days - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats say Trump's first 100 days gives them a better chance of winning back the House in 2026 - ABC News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Arizona Democrats among those unhappy with President Trump's first 100 days in office - KJZZ - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Montana Republicans dominated the 2024 election. How did Democrats gain power at the statehouse? - KTAR.com - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Illinois governor to Democrats: Time to stop surrendering, when we need to fight - CNN - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats push bill to ban discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community - Queen City News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Top Democrats hold sit-in on Capitol steps as they seek new ways to push back on Trumps agenda - CNN - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Walz 'very pessimistic' on Democrats retaking the Senate - Fox News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Op-Ed: Democrats must throw out the old playbook to fight Trump and win - NJ Spotlight News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- A swing-state mayoral race is about to test whats next for Democrats - NBC News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Power dynamics at play over Democrats offices and staff in the NC Senate - Raleigh News & Observer - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats seize on a new issue to use against the GOP: Social Security - The Washington Post - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Pritzker Thunders Against Do Nothing Democrats as He Stokes 2028 Talk - The New York Times - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats keep saying America is an oligarchy. Is that true? - vox.com - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- JB Pritzker calls out do-nothing Democrats for failing to push back against Trump - AP News - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Democrats Had a Shot at Protecting Journalists From Trump. They Blew It. - The Intercept - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]
- Defending Jan. 6 Rioters, Investigating Democrats: How Ed Martin Is Weaponizing the DOJ for Trump - ProPublica - April 30th, 2025 [April 30th, 2025]