Governor Corbett has proposed an essentially flat budget in order to close a projected deficit of more than $700 million by the end of the fiscal year. 

As expected, there are no tax increases in the $27.139 billion spending plan – and the departments considered likeliest to see cuts have stayed more or less level. 

But higher education is seeing double-digit reductions. 

A 30 percent cut is planned for three of the four state-related schools – Penn State, Pitt, and Temple.  Lincoln University funding would remain level under the plan.

A 20 percent cut is proposed for the state system of higher education schools.  Last year, the state schools were cut by 18 percent.

The Education Department and the Department of Public Welfare are being funded at about the same levels as last year, but the way the money is being doled out to school districts and programs will change.  The governor’s Budget Secretary Charles Zogby said in a briefing today the change won’t affect the formula that determines which school district gets what amount of money. 

The Department of Public Welfare would also get about the same funding, but cash assistance benefits would be cut to save more than $300 million. 

The Corbett administration says that will give administrators the ability to set their own priorities and reallocate state funding as they see fit.

Department of Corrections funding is holding steady.

The Department of Environmental Protection would see a $10 million cut, or about eight percent of its budget reduced.