Senate Approves Final 2008-09 Budget

Spending plan includes significant support for local schools

The Senate today approved a state budget for Fiscal Year 2008-09 that includes significant increases in support for school districts in the 50th Senatorial District, according to Senator Bob Robbins.

Senate Bill 1389 calls for $28.2 billion in general fund spending, which is nearly $150 million less than the $28.35 billion in spending proposed by the Administration. Overall, the 3.98 percent increase in spending from FY 2007-08 is slightly below the rate of inflation and represents a significant reduction from the 4.2-percent increase proposed by the Administration.

"This was not an easy budget, especially considering the economic conditions in Pennsylvania right now," said Senator Robbins. "Not everyone is going to be happy with this budget, but the truth is we had to cut back in many areas to prevent a tax increase this year and hopefully in the future as well."

One of the key elements in the FY 2008-09 budget is a more equitable proposal for funding basic education in Pennsylvania, according to Senator Robbins. More than 100 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts would have seen a minimal increase of 1.5 percent in their basic education funding (BEF) under the Administration's proposal, including several in the 50th Senatorial District. Senate Republicans pushed for the current plan which ensures that every school district in Pennsylvania receive at least a 3 percent increase in its BEF.

"I am pleased that 12 school districts in my area will be seeing additional funding over what the Governor had originally proposed," Senator Robbins said. "That is something that will truly benefit students and taxpayers in those districts."

School District	2008-09 BEF	$ increase	% increase	$ increase over Governor's request
Seneca Valley	$12,983,362	$378,156	3%	$24,005
Slippery Rock Area	$7,972,784	$316,353	4.1	-----
Conneaut	$10,554,145	$307,402	3 %	$37,484
Crawford Central	$14,751,010	$429,641	3 %	$73,760
Penncrest	$18,112,226	$527,541	3 %	$18,086
Corry Area	$12,353,131	$500,659	4.2 %	-----
Union City Area	$8,499,190	$247,549	3 %	$73,343
Ellwood City Area	$10,966,243	$319,405	3 %	$53,716
Laurel	$7,288,078	$212,274	3 %	$106,137
Neshannock Twp.	$2,990,275	$87,095	3 %	$20,413
Wilmington Area	$5,418,959	$187,744	3.6 %	-----
Commodore Perry	$3,695,548	$107,637	3 %	$37,538
Farrell Area	$6,805,945	$198,231	3 %	$86,616
Greenville Area	$6,246,684	$314,102	5.3 %	-----
Grove City Area	$7,702,629	$292,268	3.9 %	-----
Hermitage	$5,551,063	$192,959	3.6 %	-----
Jamestown Area	$2,899,080	$86,942	3.1 %	-----
Lakeview	$6,398,640	$186,368	3 %	$54,721
Mercer Area	$5,130,855	$154,480	3.1 %	-----
Reynolds	$7,666,185	$223,287	3.1 %	-----
Sharon City	$13,066,652	$761,344	6.2 %	-----
Sharpsville Area	$5,922,712	$184,643	3.2 %	-----
West Middlesex	$5,159,495	$178,353	3.6 %	-----
Titusville Area	$12,943,619	$376,999	3 %	$187,779

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322