Governor Wolf released his proposed Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Commonwealth Budget on February 6, 2018.The proposed budget holds the line on most community development programs of interest to Main Street, Elm Street, and related organizations.
The Governor’s budget is initially proposing $6,357,000 for the Keystone Communities Program, funding an estimated 42 projects. Last year’s 2017-18 budget initially proposed a similar amount. Supplemental allocations raised that number to $13,507,000.
Other budget proposals of interest include:
· A slight increase for PHMC of 3.1% to $21,272,000 although funds to support local efforts remain flat at $2,000,000.
· A reduction of $625,000 for “Heritage and Other Parks” funded through DCNR.
· The Neighborhood Assistance Program is “flat funded’ at $18,000,000, the same amount as 2017-18.
“In this cost-cutting climate, it is always good to start with a base that holds the line on the initial allocation,” said PDC Executive Director Bill Fontana.
“After that we can always work to try to get the allocation increased. That’s a much better situation than having to expend political capital just to get the allocation to where it was the year before.”
Fontana indicated that PDC will work with DCED and the General Assembly during the budget process to try to get the budget increased. Restoring some funds to assist with designated program costs remains a PDC priority. PDC will provide updates to keep the membership informed as the budget process moves forward.