June 16th, 2009

Today The Patriot-News discusses the budget deficit in Pennsylvania, explaining that while we are not in good shape, states such as California are far worse off.

Sure, the weather is better in California. And residents there have movie stars galore and oceanfront views. But their state’s budget deficit is worth $402 for every man, woman and child.

In Pennsylvania, by contrast, the per-capita budget gap stood at $209 per person based on April data collected by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

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With 15 days left to pass a budget by the June 30 deadline, Pennsylvania is among the minority of states that have yet to finalize a spending plan for the 2009-10 fiscal year. According to data posted Thursday by the NCSL, 28 states have enacted budgets.

Of those, 18 raised taxes.

McNichol said some states also balanced their budgets using federal stimulus funds, tapping cash reserves and making spending cuts in a variety of areas. She said as many as 16 other states that have yet to complete their budget might raise taxes.

Pennsylvania is in that mix, with calls for possible increases in the state’s 3.07 percent personal income tax rate and raising other targeted taxes.