Signed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the state budget for fiscal year 2019-2020.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $2.1 million for agricultural research (Sec. 208).

• Appropriates $2.8 million for agricultural excellence programs (Sec. 208). 

• Appropriates $4.5 million for agricultural business and workforce investment (Sec. 208).

• Appropriates $4 million for agricultural preparedness and response (Sec. 208).

• Appropriates $2 million for farmers market food coupons (Sec. 208).

• Appropriates $2 million for animal health and diagnostic commission (Sec. 208).

• Appropriates $6.74 billion for the basic education funding to school districts (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $268 million for the “Ready to Learn Block Grant” (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $217.2 million for the “Pre-K Counts Program” (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $2.5 million for state personnel development for special education (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $20 million for school improvement grants (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $64 million for the “Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program” (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $11 million for safe schools initiatives (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $1.18 billion for “payments on account of special education of exceptional children” (Sec. 215).

• Appropriates $1.72 billion for the Community Waiver Program (Sec. 221).

• Authorizes the Governor to transfer money in funds receiving proceeds of Commonwealth of Pennsylvania General Obligation Bonds in excess of the amount necessary for the purposes for which they were issued to the appropriate sinking fund for payment of debt service due on outstanding bonds (Sec. 2108).

• Requires excess money after the above is done, together with any available balance, to be transferred to the General Fund or the “appropriate special fund responsible for the debt service” if it exceeds the amount of debt service remaining to be paid (Sec. 2108).

• Appropriates $5.36 million for police related grants (Sec. 820 & 1801).

• Appropriates $1.7 million to the attorney general for school safety (Sec. 204).

• Appropriates $1.72 million for the Municipal Police Education and Training Commission (Sec. 229)

• Appropriates $5 million for municipal police training grants (Sec. 811).

• Appropriates $50 million for attendant care in medical assistance (Sec. 221).

• Appropriates $60 million for “Student Support and Academic Enrichment-Local” (Sec. 215).

Full Bill Text