With State Revenue Lagging, Corbett Freezes Some Spending

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG (CBS) - As expected, Governor Corbett has put a freeze on some state spending as state revenues continue to lag.

The four state-related universities – Temple, Lincoln, Penn State and Pittsburgh – which already had their state funding cut, will see additional reductions of five percent. Generally, most state agencies will be asked to trim spending by about three percent.

State Budget Secretary Charles Zogby says some agencies, including Welfare, State Police and Corrections, will be cut one percent or less.

"We tried to be nuanced – a scalpel instead of a meat axe in terms of our approach."

With revenue collections nearly $500-million below projections for the first six months of the fiscal year, the governor hopes to cut spending by about $160 million dollars. He's also asked state agencies not under his jurisdiction to cut by three percent in an effort to save another $66 million.

The Corbett Administration says some or all of the funds could be freed if the revenue picture improves.