Author: Marc Stier

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STATEMENT: In Support of Governor Wolf’s Newest COVID-19 Restrictions

  By PA Budget and Policy Center, Statements

Originally published at KRC-PBPC https://krc-pbpc.org/research_publication/statement-in-support-of-governor-wolfs-newest-covid-19-restrictions/ HARRISBURG — Marc Stier, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, released the following statement on Governor Wolf’s most recent COVID-19 restrictions. Governor Wolf has called for new action to protect Pennsylvanians from the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us, no matter where we live in our state, what we look like, or whether are rich or poor, are vulnerable to this terrible virus and the damage it does to our health, lives, and economy. And make no mistake, it is the disease itself, far more than regulations to protect our health, that is causing economic distress especially for working people, women, Black and brown people, and immigrants. So we should all welcome the governor’s actions and reject attempts to divide us by approaching necessary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 as an ideological or partisan issue. But protecting our health is not enough. We also… Continue reading

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Statement on PA CARES 21 Proposal

  By COVID-19, Economic Development, PA Economy, Statements

Originally published by KRC-PBPC at https://krc-pbpc.org/research_publication/statement-on-pa-cares-21-proposal/ Pennsylvania Senate Democrats have today put forward a bold plan to borrow funds at low interest rates to provide relief to many Pennsylvanians who are still struggling with the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. For three reasons, it should be enacted quickly. First, it is desperately needed not to just to provide immediate relief to small business, the unemployed, local governments, our schools, health care providers, front-line workers and others but to keep the Pennsylvania economy from falling deeper into recession. The failure of the General Assembly to use the remainder of the CARES funds to provide aid to vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and especially to our small businesses, front-line workers, and health care providers was a dereliction of their responsibility to protect the most vulnerable in this crisis. And, as the IFO pointed out, the fairly quick, albeit partial, rebound from the economic disaster… Continue reading

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Covid-19 Strikes Home

  By COVID-19

It feels as if COVID-19 is getting closer and closer. Two friends have lost parents to the disease in the last few days. Two of my staff members have been sick with it in the last two weeks. Both were very sick; one of them terribly so. Most of these deaths could have been avoided if this country had mounted a strong response to it and if all the people who live among us took it seriously and acted appropriately. To those of you you deny the seriousness of COVID-19, who say it is a hoax or just like the flu; to those of you who believe mask mandates violate your so-called rights; to those of you who have encouraged people to believe these things out of idiotic ideology or, even worse, political expediency–the blood of tens of thousands Americans are on your hands. We will not forgive or forget… Continue reading

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Statement on Budget Plan Approved by the House Appropriations Committee

  By Pennsylvania Budget, Statements

Originally published by KRC-PBPC here. The budget approved by the Republican members of the House Appropriations Committee does basically what we expected. Most of the budget is flat-funded with increases to meet Medical Assistance caseloads and a few other mandatory expenditures. While it is an important achievement that there are no deep cuts to education and human services in the budget, the budget does not meet the needs of Pennsylvanians who are suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it created. Front-line workers; small businesses, especially in the hospitality and entertainment industries; those who are threatened with losing their homes; and many other Pennsylvanians are not getting the support they need from the state. The budget is balanced with close to $5 billion in one-time revenues: CARES Act funds; enhanced Medical Assistance funding from the federal government (which may not be forthcoming); transfers from special funds and the… Continue reading

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Pa. is in the throes of a COVID-19 recession. Wolf, lawmakers need to step up for working families

  By COVID-19, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Budget, Published op-eds

Originally published at the PA Capital-Star November 17, 2020 By Marc Stier No matter where we live, what we look like, whether we are native–born or immigrants, or whether we are struggling or getting by, the COVID-19 recession is a threat to all of us. We need the state government to do more for families and small businesses to meet that threat. Yet the recession will cost the state at least $3.3 billion in revenues—and perhaps more—over two years. Squaring this circle would be difficult at any time, but the General Assembly must act by Nov. 30 when the stop-gap budget enacted in May, covering about about half of the General Fund,  runs out. Democratic and Republican senators appear close to a compromise that avoids a budget impasse at this dangerous time even as it leaves many problems unresolved. Our understanding is that it would fund a full-year General Fund budget at the same level as in fiscal 2019-2020 with some adjustments… Continue reading

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The Budget Pennsylvania Needs Now: A Preview and Analysis of the Full-Year 2020 Budget

  By Pennsylvania Budget

Download or print full document. No matter where we live, what we look like, whether we are native-born or immigrants, or whether we are struggling or getting by, the COVID-19 recession is a threat to all of us. We need the state government to do more for families and small businesses to meet that threat. Yet the recession will cost the state at least $3.3 billion in revenues over two years. Squaring this circle would be difficult at any time, but the General Assembly must act by November 30 when the stop-gap funding, enacted in June for about half of the General Fund, runs out. Democratic and Republican senators appear close to a compromise that avoids a budget impasse at this dangerous time even as it leaves many problems unresolved. Our understanding is that it would fund a full-year General Fund budget at the same level as in Fiscal Year… Continue reading

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Why The Republicans In Harrisburg Won’t Fight COVID-19

  By COVID-19, PA Budget and Policy Center, PBPC Blog posts, Pennsylvania

Originally published by KRC-PBPC here. COVID-19 cases are rising again across the country and in our state. Cases in Pennsylvania are averaging 1,552 per day in October, almost double the 787 average per day in September and above the 1,364 average per day in April. And, the best evidence we have is that it is not just due to expanded testing. We are testing an average of 15,514 in October, a bit more than in September (13,847 per day) and far more than April (5,996 per day). But the percentage of tests that are positive is also increasing from 7% in September to 9% in October, though far below the 23% found in April. Deaths from COVID-19 have only risen by a small amount in Pennsylvania. But while better treatments should keep us from the disastrous numbers of April, we know that the rise in deaths typically lag the rise… Continue reading

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Statement on the Death of William Wallace, Jr.

  By PA Budget and Policy Center, Statements, White Supremacy and Structural Racism

Originally published by KRC-PBPC here. The murder of Walter Wallace, Jr. is being called tragic. And it is. But when certain tragedies keep happening, they are not just tragic, let alone accidents or mistakes. They are policy. And when public policy leads over and over again to the death of Black people in circumstances where white people are more likely to be spared, the policy is deeply immoral and shameful. And ending it must be our first priority. For the sake of everyone, and especially Black and brown people, we need to rethink and re-imagine how we provide public safety in our Commonwealth. Continue reading

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How the General Assembly Can Try to Steal the Election, Why It Would Be Wrong to Do So, and How to Stop It

  By 2020, Policy reports, Presidential election process

Originally published by KRC-PBPC here. There has been loose talk among right-wing activists calling on the General Assembly to intervene in the choice of presidential electors and thus overriding the vote of the people. Here is what the PA General Assembly might try to do and why under the law and Constitutions of Pennsylvania and the United States, they should not be allowed to do it. Click here to print or read the report full-screen. Continue reading

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The General Assembly Cannot Unilaterally Stop Mail-In Ballots From Being Counted

  By 2020, Policy briefs, Presidential election process

Right-wing advocates and Trump supporters are urging the General Assembly to take action next week to override the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that allows ballots received after 8 pm on Election Day to be counted. This would be an appalling attack on the rights of Pennsylvanians to vote and have their vote counted, one of the most central rights we have as Americans. Here is what they appear to be planning and why it violates the constitutions of both Pennsylvania and the United States. Continue reading