Five Facts about Wolf's Second Budget Proposal

More of the same

Wolf’s proposed budget mirrors what he offered—and lawmakers repeatedly rejected—last year: Massive tax hikes and record spending increases.
It’s no surprise Wolf didn’t want to give this “repeat” speech on Groundhog Day.
Wolf’s proposed spending increases continue a long trend. Total state spending increased in 45 of the last 46 years for an inflation-adjusted total of $16,557 more per family of four.

Biggest spending increase in 25 years

Wolf’s $33.3 billion General Fund budget (including pension payments) represents a 10 percent increase over the budget passed by the legislature in December.
This is the largest spending increase since 1991-92.

Wolf’s tax hike = $850 more per family four annually

Including the tax hikes residents will pay in the first half of this year (for the 2015-16 budget), state government will take $1,129 more per family of four over 18 months.

Even more money for public schools

Wolf’s budget includes a $1.1 billion increase in support of public schools, on top of the record-high level of funding passed by the legislature in December. This increase comes with no accountability measures.
Wolf wants $400 million more in public school spending for the current school year—which is already more than halfway over.
Meanwhile, Wolf proposed arbitrary and punitive cuts for public charter schools, including cyber charters.
New data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows Pennsylvania already spends $3,400 more than the national average per student, including higher per-student funding from state tax dollars.

At least 8 different tax increases, including

An 11 percent personal income tax hike—retroactive to January 2016 (in other words, you already owe the state more taxes);
Sales tax expansion to cable TV, movie tickets, and digital downloads;
Higher taxes on natural gas production, even as the industry is laying off workers across Pennsylvania;
Higher cigarette taxes and new taxes on other tobacco products, hitting lower-income families the hardest;
Higher taxes on bank savings and home insurance premiums; and
New gaming taxes.