Corbett and Repubs in Legislature Leaving Wolf with a $2 Billion Deficit for Upcoming Year

[JPZenger]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/03/us-usa-pennsylvania-budget-idUSKCN0JH2GK20141203

Because of a set of budget tricks and one-time budget transfers that emptied out accounts that were supposed to be used for other purposes, Corbett and the Repubs who control the Legislature are leaving Gov. Wolf with a $2 billion deficit for next year. Wolf has to prepare the budget for next fiscal year soon after taking office. The Dems were never allowed into the room when these past budgets were created.

Corbett is leaving a big flaming pile of dog crap on Gov. Wolf's doorstep. Corbett just rang the doorbell and is now running away.

The deficit would be even bigger if Scaife hadn't dropped dead and caused a $100 million state inheritance tax bill. I'm surprised he didn't claim he was a Florida resident, like most other rich old people.

[napi21]

1. Frome been told, most of the deficit came from Corbett giving tax breaks

to his wealthy buds. If that's so, the cure to the deficit is to get the legislature to change the tax laws AGAIN to drastically increase the taxes on those rich cads. Time to pay back guys!

[yeoman6987]

2. Is t the state legislator Republican?

It might be a hard road for Governor Wolfe. I hope the voters are patient.

[malthaussen]

3. Yeah, kind of lost in the celebration over Wolf's election...

... is the fact that an already GOP-dominated legislature actually became more Republican. I think that the tendency to concentrate on chief executive elections is bad for the Dems tactically. But PA is already so gerrymandered that I'd be surprised to see a Dem legislature any time soon.

-- Mal