Keystone Today

Last week Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) touted his budget that has shown his commitment to education since he took office in 2015.

According to a release on July 8, Wolf’s budget has a “historic” $1.8 billion investment increase. Since Wolf took office, the Wolf Administration has increased funding in education by more than $3.7 billion.

“Since I took office, Pennsylvania’s students and families have been my top priority. We have made long overdue investments in the people of Pennsylvania, including better education for all, safer communities, and a brighter future,” Wolf said. “Securing $1.8 billion for education in this budget furthers these efforts and results in a historic $3.7 billion in investments my administration has made in education at all levels over the last eight years. I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished.”

The $1.8 billion increase includes $850 million in reoccurring funds that allow school districts to invest in students, and at the same time cut local property tax.

This year’s increase includes $525 million increase through the Fair Funding Formula; $225 million increase for the Level Up program that targets the 100 most in-need school districts, providing equal access to high quality education; $100 million increase in special education; $79 million increase for early education through Pre-K Counts and Head Start; and $220 million for public higher education.

Another major aspect of the budget is for increased security and grassroots violence interruption efforts. Notably, this includes $100 million increase for School Safety Grants and $50 million for Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention programs.

Another priority for the budget is for resources for Pennsylvanians and their families, as well as make investments into the environment and state parks. This includes $696 million for conservation, recreation and preservation. There will also be $100 million for adult mental health and another $100 million for student mental health support.

According to the release, when Wolf took office, the state’s Rainy-Day Fund was down to $231,800, and over the past seven years he has worked to turn a $2-3 billion structural budget deficit into a surplus worth multiple billions of dollars. He will be the first governor since 1987 to turn over a budget surplus to his successor, when Dick Thornburgh was in office.

The budget includes depositing a record $2.1 billion into the Rainy-Day Fund, bringing the balance to nearly $5 billion.