Will Gannon, Mercyhurst, Seton Hill budgets survive Covid-19?

[Sec10-A-14]

Back to the original topic...
In an email from GU Pres Taylor Gannon intends to open Face to Face classes in Erie & Ruskin FL campuses in August.

[Sec10-A-14]

I'll start when you finish. Which taxes have increased under Wolf?

Cigarettes... .$1.00/pack.. + 1% tobacco retail tax
Vaping Tax on e-cigs 40%
$1.10 / ounce on chew tobacco

Lottery winnings... no longer tax exempt
Digital downloads..6% on downloaded music vids etc...
Gambling tax increase 12 to 14%
Truck stop slots 42% of gross rev
Fireworks... additional 12% above reg sales tax
Allowed final phase of gas tax to take effect now highest in US
cost p/gal ( $1.09 here in Bedford TX, Pa $2.08 )
Corporate tax in TX is 0.00000% in Pa 9.99% no wonder co are leaving Pa

Start your list of tax reductions

[Fightingscot82]

Cigarettes... .$1.00/pack.. + 1% tobacco retail tax
Vaping Tax on e-cigs 40%
$1.10 / ounce on chew tobacco

Lottery winnings... no longer tax exempt
Digital downloads..6% on downloaded music vids etc...
Gambling tax increase 12 to 14%
Truck stop slots 42% of gross rev
Fireworks... additional 12% above reg sales tax
Allowed final phase of gas tax to take effect now highest in US
cost p/gal ( $1.09 here in Bedford TX, Pa $2.08 )
Corporate tax in TX is 0.00000% in Pa 9.99% no wonder co are leaving Pa

Start your list of tax reductions

Gas tax wasn't his (scheduled by Corbett) but he could have stopped it. Everything else doesn't affect me. Fireworks were illegal before so it's a draw there on who benefits.

Texas can have a low corporate tax and no income tax because they get the money elsewhere. Sales tax is higher and universal in Texas. They also make billions off of mineral extraction.

[iupgroundhog]

Cigarettes... .$1.00/pack.. + 1% tobacco retail tax
Vaping Tax on e-cigs 40%
$1.10 / ounce on chew tobacco

Lottery winnings... no longer tax exempt
Digital downloads..6% on downloaded music vids etc...
Gambling tax increase 12 to 14%
Truck stop slots 42% of gross rev
Fireworks... additional 12% above reg sales tax
Allowed final phase of gas tax to take effect now highest in US
cost p/gal ( $1.09 here in Bedford TX, Pa $2.08 )
Corporate tax in TX is 0.00000% in Pa 9.99% no wonder co are leaving Pa

Start your list of tax reductions

Believe it or not the bills have to be paid.

This tax structure is so far off from what Wolf campaigned on (raising sales and personal income tax and lowering corporate tax) that the reality is that the Republican-controlled legislature owns all these taxes. That is without any doubt.

Sin taxes I have no problem with. That is up to the individual to purchase and they improve public health.

"Wolf didn't repeal the 5th year of Corbett's 58 cent/gallon gas tax increase" is the lamest argument there is. That money was already spent. Where were you when Corbett decided to not tax fracking and instead hit PA motorists with a 58 cent per gallon tax. Absolutely absurd.

As previously stated, Texas has been oil-rich for a long time and finances the state. As you can see, PA is not that smart with regards to the shale oil industry.

What PA needs is to raise personal income tax. Trust me, you won't even feel it.

Of course, post Covid-19 it's just going to be draconian budget cuts, anyway.

[Sec10-A-14]

In all sincerity there isn't a politician who doesn't love to raise taxes and blame the other party. I just get tired of reading its only the Repubs that
are ruining the state schools in Pa. I don't live in Pa anymore but have financials there. Realistically I think Mansfield, Loch Haven, Clarion and of course Cheyney need to close. This would strengthen Edinboro, Bloomy & WC. The afore mentioned school students can be easily absorbed.
Granted some areas would be hurt, but you know the typical political response is "we'll provide training". And I say for what? when there are no jobs for welders, plumbers etc in Clarion or wherever. Maybe a carry-out runner for McD's.

Guess what in private industry, If your firm isn't making money you either find a way to improve your product to increase revenue or cut costs.
There is no magic taxpayer. Some of these PASSHE employees may have to take a hit.

Good luck & stay healthy in the screwy times.
Hoping for a Full FB season.

[Horror Child]

Gas tax wasn't his (scheduled by Corbett) but he could have stopped it. Everything else doesn't affect me. Fireworks were illegal before so it's a draw there on who benefits.

Texas can have a low corporate tax and no income tax because they get the money elsewhere. Sales tax is higher and universal in Texas. They also make billions off of mineral extraction.

So that makes it okay

[Horror Child]

Believe it or not the bills have to be paid.

This tax structure is so far off from what Wolf campaigned on (raising sales and personal income tax and lowering corporate tax) that the reality is that the Republican-controlled legislature owns all these taxes. That is without any doubt.

Sin taxes I have no problem with. That is up to the individual to purchase and they improve public health.

"Wolf didn't repeal the 5th year of Corbett's 58 cent/gallon gas tax increase" is the lamest argument there is. That money was already spent. Where were you when Corbett decided to not tax fracking and instead hit PA motorists with a 58 cent per gallon tax. Absolutely absurd.

As previously stated, Texas has been oil-rich for a long time and finances the state. As you can see, PA is not that smart with regards to the shale oil industry.

What PA needs is to raise personal income tax. Trust me, you won't even feel it.

Of course, post Covid-19 it's just going to be draconian budget cuts, anyway.

Yup, that's how they do it. The salami method - can't steel the entire roll, that's too obvious. Just take a slice at a time - it'll take longer, but you still get the whole thing and they'll never know.

[iupgroundhog]

In all sincerity there isn't a politician who doesn't love to raise taxes and blame the other party. I just get tired of reading its only the Repubs that
are ruining the state schools in Pa.

I get it. I feel strongly about these things, too. Got to admit, though, it's kind of hard to defend the R's in PA when it comes to education funding. I'm bugged by a lot of things lately and I think most of the criticism of Wolf is done just to complain. Yes, stay safe. Avoid all those crazy Texans, if you can.

[Fightingscot82]

So that makes it okay

I'm okay with vice taxes. I prefer simpler tax structures (such as flat income tax or a universal sales tax). Why should lottery winnings have been exempt when gambling winnings weren't? I don't smoke or vape so if we tax the crap out of those it doesn't affect me.

[Fightingscot82]

I get it. I feel strongly about these things, too. Got to admit, though, it's kind of hard to defend the R's in PA when it comes to education funding. I'm bugged by a lot of things lately and I think most of the criticism of Wolf is done just to complain. Yes, stay safe. Avoid all those crazy Texans, if you can.

R governors have done real damage. R legislators generally just vote no on any increases. The loudest R education critics are those who never take the time to examine the numbers: I'm looking at you Commonwealth Foundation.

[boatcapt]

It's probably never going to happen but each school needs to cut its staff and strongly consider selling assets to reflect the current levels of enrollment.

I've read the PASSHE annual audit reports for the last six years (gee, Corona self quarantine is FUN!!). What I gleened from them it is that state appropriations have been going up (contrary to beliefs)...tuition revenue is going down (In spite of nearly annual tuition increases)...and personnel costs are going up.

[Dirty Harry]

It's probably never going to happen but each school needs to cut its staff and strongly consider selling assets to reflect the current levels of enrollment.

I've read the PASSHE annual audit reports for the last six years (gee, Corona self quarantine is FUN!!). What I gleened from them it is that state appropriations have been going up (contrary to beliefs)...tuition revenue is going down (In spite of nearly annual tuition increases)...and personnel costs are going up.

Bombshell Info!

[Fightingscot82]

It's probably never going to happen but each school needs to cut its staff and strongly consider selling assets to reflect the current levels of enrollment.

I've read the PASSHE annual audit reports for the last six years (gee, Corona self quarantine is FUN!!). What I gleened from them it is that state appropriations have been going up (contrary to beliefs)...tuition revenue is going down (In spite of nearly annual tuition increases)...and personnel costs are going up.

PASSHE's problem is that most employees are unionized and the cuts can't come without a vacancy or a long drawn out retrenchment process. Can't nimbly adjust workforce with a setup built on the assumption that revenue is stable.

Appropriation has indeed grown but is still years behind where it should be. Tuition revenue remains down because enrollment losses outweigh tuition increases.

But the cuts you want are already in the works. Well over 200 faculty took a retirement incentive program. The system board just voted to extend the program to all other unions. For example, Edinboro is selling its branch campus in suburban Erie and replacing its sports dome with a fixed roof (steel) structure that has lower maintenance and utility costs. The state also gave them a grant to demolish unused buildings. Edinboro also outsourced its claimed attendant care program for students with severe physical disabilities to eliminate significant annual deficits. That's all on top of a hiring chill and the increased retirement. I've heard an estimate of in the 40s for Edinboro alone.

It's my understanding that all construction must be externally funded or necessary projects like roof replacement.

[iupgroundhog]

I've read the PASSHE annual audit reports for the last six years (gee, Corona self quarantine is FUN!!). What I gleened from them it is that state appropriations have been going up (contrary to beliefs).

You looked at the last 6 years. What you have to understand is that trend is because there is a Democrat in the Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Before Wolf's tenure, the trend was in the opposite direction under Corbett. Not trying to be political. Just stating the facts.

[boatcapt]

PASSHE's problem is that most employees are unionized and the cuts can't come without a vacancy or a long drawn out retrenchment process. Can't nimbly adjust workforce with a setup built on the assumption that revenue is stable.

Appropriation has indeed grown but is still years behind where it should be. Tuition revenue remains down because enrollment losses outweigh tuition increases.

But the cuts you want are already in the works. Well over 200 faculty took a retirement incentive program. The system board just voted to extend the program to all other unions. For example, Edinboro is selling its branch campus in suburban Erie and replacing its sports dome with a fixed roof (steel) structure that has lower maintenance and utility costs. The state also gave them a grant to demolish unused buildings. Edinboro also outsourced its claimed attendant care program for students with severe physical disabilities to eliminate significant annual deficits. That's all on top of a hiring chill and the increased retirement. I've heard an estimate of in the 40s for Edinboro alone.

It's my understanding that all construction must be externally funded or necessary projects like roof replacement.

If they are cutting faculty to better reflect the current student enrolement, that is a step in the right direction. But attrition based staff cuts will only go so far and so quickly. My experience with early retirements or buy out programs is that you basically get an early glut of applicants and then the rate drops dramatically (the disgruntaled, disaffected and the just plain tired) and then the rate drops off dramatically. It is a good system if you only need to shave a small % of your work force but not so effective as a large scale reorganization tool.Is this program targeted as specific segments/majors or is it available to professors/teachers across the board?