Northwest PA News

Rep. Donna Oberlander voted in favor of the 2022-23 Pennsylvania state budget, emphasizing its focus on health care, human services, and financial planning for future challenges. "Pennsylvania families are hurting right now, with inflation and the costs of goods and services markedly up, and this budget directly reflects those realities and makes numerous investments to help our families, communities and job creators," said Oberlander. The budget amounts to $42.8 billion.

Oberlander highlighted increased funding for health care and human services as a significant feature of the budget. Local EMS providers will receive higher Medicaid reimbursements for basic life support, advanced life support, and mileage. Additional funds will be allocated to long-term care settings, special needs programs, and home visiting initiatives for new mothers.

For mental health support, each school district will receive an additional $200,000 alongside existing grants for school safety and security. This is part of broader increases in subsidies for basic and special education.

The budget also allocates $50 million for gun violence investigation grants and $100 million in federal funds for a collaborative mental health initiative aimed at integrating psychiatric care into primary health settings.

Small businesses will benefit from tax liability carry-forwards and expanded expense deductions. The Corporate Net Income Tax rate will decrease from 9.99% to 8.99%, eventually reaching 4.99%.

Funding includes provisions for two new cadet classes within the state police department while shifting some financial responsibility from the Motor License Fund to the General Fund to free up resources for infrastructure repairs.

One-time federal dollars will fund increases in Property Tax/Rent Rebate programs for seniors, introduce a child care credit, and support water and sewer projects.

To prepare financially for future needs, about $2.1 billion will be added to the Rainy Day Fund totaling $5 billion.

"This overall budget package contains a lot of items that will directly and positively impact our local residents and rural communities," Oberlander stated.