HARRISBURG -- Governor Tom Wolf announced the latest budget bill for fiscal year 2015-2016 will become law without his signature.
At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, the governor said he wouldn't sign the bill (House Bill 1801) but will allow it to take effect Sunday, keeping funding for schools and state agencies in place through June.
“I am going to allow the 2015-2016 budget to become law without my signature,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “This will allow for funding to go out to schools and other services in the short term, but we still face enormous problems that this budget does not even pretend to address.
“Let’s be clear: the math in this budget does not work. Next fiscal year - that already has a $2 billion deficit - will now begin with an extra $300 million deficit. Ratings agencies and the Independent Fiscal Office have all agreed that we face a massive structural deficit. Left unaddressed, the deficit will force cuts to schools and human services, devastating credit downgrades that will cost taxpayers millions, and increase property taxes for our senior citizens. We must face this reality this year and balance our budget with real, sustainable revenues.”
Wolf called on lawmakers to work together to address an estimated $2 billion deficit in the next budget year.