Rally calls attention to governor's proposed cuts
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Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed state budget would not save money for taxpayers but instead would shift more social-service costs to counties, policy analyst Sharon Ward cautioned Tuesday.
She was the keynote speaker at the "Campaign for What Works" rally to build support for amending the governor's $27 billion spending plan for 2012-13. The state's fiscal year begins July 1.
Ms. Ward, executive director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, a Harrisburg think tank, said the state Legislature and Mr. Corbett should concentrate instead on raising revenues by closing corporate tax loopholes and delaying tax cuts.
The "Campaign for What Works" is a continuation of a successful effort in December to persuade Allegheny County Council not to trim social-service programs by $22 million this year. Council overruled the recommendation of former county Executive Dan Onorato to cut county support for a variety of programs by $5 million, a move that would have triggered the loss of $17 million in state funds.
Balancing that larger budget, however, included a 21 percent, or 1 mill, increase in property taxes.
The "Campaign for What Works" is a joint project of the United Way of Allegheny County, the Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership and The Pittsburgh Foundation. The afternoon event drew more than 100 people to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall on Pittsburgh's South Side.
Grant Oliphant, president of The Pittsburgh Foundation, predicted that the proposed reductions in social-service spending could end up costing Pennsylvania residents much more in future court costs, prisons and institutional care than would be saved next year. He characterized the state's planned 20 percent cuts as "draconian."
First Published February 22, 2012 12:00 am
