IFO Releases
Horse Racing Analysis
March 13, 2017 | Economics and Other
Act 7 of 2016 requires the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to provide technical assistance to the Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) for a study related to various aspects of the Pennsylvania horse racing industry. The IFO agreed to provide analysis and text necessary to address the statutory requirement that the report include “a determination of the economic return to the Commonwealth, racetrack operators, horsemen, breeders and other stakeholders on the investment of gaming assessments collected under the act of July 5, 2004 (P.L.572, No.71).”
This report is the IFO's submission to the JSGC in fulfillment of this requirement.
Note: Tables D and I (pages 8 and 21) and supporting text were updated since the original publication. (Revised March 13, 2017)
Letter to Rep. Stephens in response to questions regarding the IFO analysis. (March 28, 2017)
Philadelphia Cigarette & Beverage Tax Impact
March 13, 2017 | Economics and Other
The IFO responds to a request regarding the impact of Philadelphia’s local cigarette and beverage taxes on state revenue collections.
The letter has been revised to include current footnotes 3 and 6, which provide additional context for the assumptions used by the analysis. (Revised on March 20, 2017)
Senate Budget Hearing Requests
March 10, 2017 | Economics and Other
The IFO provided additional information to members of the Senate Appropriations Committee in response to requests made at its recent budget hearing.
House Budget Hearing Requests
March 10, 2017 | Economics and Other
The IFO provided additional information to members of the House Appropriations Committee in response to requests made at its recent budget hearing.
ISSU & PSSU Wage Contracts Analysis
March 08, 2017 | Wage Contracts
Pursuant to section 604-B(a)(8) of the Administrative Code of 1929, the Independent Fiscal Office has prepared a cost analysis of the collective bargaining agreements between the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the following unions:
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Independent State Stores Union (ISSU)
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Pennsylvania Social Services Union (PSSU), Hearing Officers
Natural Gas Production Report, 2016 Quarter 4
March 02, 2017 | Energy
This report for the fourth quarter of 2016 and the calendar year uses data collected by the PA Department of Environmental Protection to develop statewide and county-level tabulations of production volume and well counts.
February 2017
March 01, 2017 | Revenue & Economic Update
The Commonwealth collected $1.88 billion in General Fund revenues for February, an increase of $20.6 million (1.1%) compared to February 2016. Fiscal year-to-date revenues were $17.97 billion, an increase of $218.3 million (1.2%) from the prior year.