Wolf's election-year budget proposal crafted to avoid legislative fight
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 Tuesday as one that will carry no major new policy initiatives. Rather, Mr. 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 him a big boost as he campaigns for a second term.
A look at what the governor will propose in his 2018-19 budget plan to lawmakers:
The bottom line
Spending under Mr. Wolf’s proposal would rise to nearly $33 billion, or almost 3 percent, with no increases in taxes on sales and income, the state’s two biggest sources of revenue.
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