Smart Talk: Analysis of Gov. Corbett’s budget proposal

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, February 5, 2014:

How will you be affected by Gov. Tom Corbett’s proposed $29.4 billion state budget proposal?

In his annual budget address Tuesday, the governor pointed out that he is not asking for increased taxes, but he is looking to spend about $925 million more than in the current fiscal year. Considering the state is already facing a budget deficit of more than a billion dollars, that means some $2 billion will have to be made up.

Where will it come from?

That’s one of the questions we’ll discuss on Wednesday’s Smart Talk with Franklin and Marshall College political analyst, Dr. G. Terry Madonna.

Corbett’s proposed spending plan includes about $300 million in increased funding for education. Democrats have already criticized the governor’s education proposal as “too little, too late.” Corbett claims his administration hasn’t cut education spending at all and in fact has increased the amount of state money going to schools and says federal stimulus funds ran out. Democrats say it was a cut that resulted in thousands of educators losing their jobs.

In a year when Corbett faces re-election, he touted his administration’s accomplishments in job creation and expanding natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

The governor once again called for privatizing state liquor stores and public pension reform.

Is there a question or comment you have about Gov. Corbett’s proposed budget?

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