An issue memo from the Center on Regional Politics, “Southeast Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth Budget,” shows Pennsylvania’s southeast counties contribute more revenues than they receive in appropriations from the State General Fund. The Southeast consists of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The report also documents the shrinking size of the State General Fund as a proportion of the State’s Operating Budget, and it provides detail on grants for courts, hospitals, and other programs, not included in previous analyses.

A recent policy brief from the Center on Regional Politics, “A Tale of Haves and Have-Nots,” forecasts the fiscal future for all 500 school districts in PA for the period 2017-18 through 2021-22. The brief projects budget shortfalls for almost 300 districts, requiring them to reduce expenditures through program cuts or raise additional revenue.