The 2019-20 General Appropriations bill (H.B. 790) will make its way to the Governor’s desk after final passage in the House of Representatives by a vote of Y:140/N:62 and in the Senate by a vote of Y:42/N:8.

This year’s budget is a $33.997 billion spending plan, which is a $596 million (1.8 percent) increase from 2018-19. It’s also $149 million less that Governor Wolf’s budget proposal from February.

PreK-12 education accounts for $12.8 billion (38 percent) in spending. This includes:

  • $160 million increase in basic education funding;
  • $60 million in school safety grants;
  • $50 million increase in special education funding;
  • $25 million increase for PreK Counts; and
  • $10 million increase in career and technical education funding.

Higher education accounts for $1.9 billion (5 percent) in spending. This includes:

  • $9.3 million increase for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education;
  • $4 million increase for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology and Penn College of Technology;
  • Two percent increase for the state-related institutions (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln and Penn Veterinary School); and
  • Two percent increase for community colleges.

Human services accounts for $12.7 billion (37 percent) in spending. This includes:

  • $84.8 million increase for the Intellectual Disabilities-Community Waiver program;
  • $26.3 million increase for mental health services;
  • $16 million for Medical Assistance Day One Incentive (MDOI) payments to nursing homes; and
  • Two percent rate increase for homecare workers who care for seniors and those with physical disabilities.

Other highlights of the budget include:

  • $250 million to be transferred into the state’s Rainy Day Fund;
  • $97 million from the General Fund for the State Police (reducing the amount of funding from the Motor License Fund);
  • $19.5 million increase for the Department of Agriculture; and
  • No minimum wage increase.

Budget implementation bills are making their way through the chambers. We expect bills amending the Fiscal Code, Tax Reform Code, Administrative Code, Public School Code, and Human Services Code to reach the Governor’s desk later today or tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates.