The 2005-06 budget season will officially open on February 8 with the Governor’s Budget Address, although funding issues with mass transit, Medicaid and others are continuing to take center stage publicly and privately for this fiscal year as well.

The Governor is expected to announce a series of “Human Capital” initiatives to provide additional support for workforce development and higher education programs and institutions.

The Senate and House Appropriations Committees issued their latest schedule of budget hearings which are set to begin the day after the budget address. As of now, the schedule for the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources look like this—

March 2 – Senate – DCNR – 2:45

March 3 – House – DEP – 9:30

Senate – DCNR – 11:00

March 9 – Senate – DEP – 2:45

The Governor’s Budget Office will present a more detailed overview of the Governor’s proposed budget at a Senate hearing on February 28 at 2:45.

The overall state budget continues to face significant pressures (PaED 12/27/04) with some estimates of a budget deficit running as high as $1.5 billion for next year, before additional spending for mass transit, Medicaid, the Governor’s Growing Greener and Hazardous Sites Cleanup Fund initiatives are considered.

The Pennsylvania Cable Network often provides live or taped coverage of budget hearings. Check the PCN website for their schedule.

1/14/2005