The coronavirus outbreak in Pennsylvania could cost the state budget upwards of $4 billion, and Gov. Tom Wolf has taken action to cut spending, laying off more than 2,500 employees, halting paychecks for another 14,000 workers, and freezing all but essential hiring and department purchases.

But the Republican-led state legislature — one of the largest and highest-paid in the country, spending $360 million each year in addition to holding $172 million in reserves — has so far taken few steps to cut expenses or offer up money of its own during the crisis.

And rumblings continue to indicate that the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund and Environmental Stewardship Fund are in the legislators’ crosshairs for attack. Click to read this important report!

PA legislature making few cuts, no promises to tap hefty reserves as state faces massive budget shortfall.  Spotlight PA, 4/10/2020.