The state's precarious fiscal situation is getting worse -- much worse, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee said yesterday.Rep. Dwight Evans D-Philadelphia, said the revenue shortfall for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, is now projected to be "at least $3 billion."
That's $700 million more than the $2.3 billion that Gov. Ed Rendell forecast three months ago, and $400 million higher than some legislators forecast just a month ago.
"The numbers are staggering," Mr. Evans said. "We have a lot of work to do. Do we need to make decisions that are painful? Absolutely."
The state's original spending plan for fiscal 2008-09 was $28.26 billion, but that is being trimmed by more than half a billion dollars. The state Revenue Department is due to release the state's April revenue collections today.
"Given the national economic indicators, the [Pennsylvania revenue] numbers could be grim," said Rendell aide Chuck Ardo.
Will we here the Too-Bloated PA Legislature announcing cuts to their Free Lunches, Per Diems, Expense Accounts?
How about cutting a few Overpaid Staffers? How about contributing 10, 20, or even 50% to help pay for your now free medical benefits - like the rest of the us have to pay? You know - Co-pays?
How about the PA Legislators take a 10-20% pay cut? They get paid more than New York - unbelievable.
And isn't this a perfect time to look to Reduce the number of PA Legislators? It is pretty obvious that PA does Not need 253 Reps - why do they need to have the LARGEST legislature out of all of the states?
So many options to help the PA Budget Deficit - and so easy to do.