Treasurer Garrity Commends General Assembly for Rainy Day Fund Increase
$2.5 billion being added to the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund
Harrisburg, PA - Treasurer Stacy Garrity today commended the General Assembly for saving $2.5 billion in the state’s Rainy Day Fund as part of the $40.8 billion Fiscal Year 2021-22 state budget.
“The economic fallout from the pandemic showed us how important it is to have funds set aside. I applaud the General Assembly for substantially increasing Pennsylvania’s Rainy Day Fund. This is an important, fiscally responsible step to help ensure that Pennsylvania’s budget remains on solid footing. Forecasts indicate that our state is likely to face a fiscal cliff in two years, so this kind of prudent budgeting is critical for the health of Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Pennsylvania State Treasurer, Stacy Garrity
The Rainy Day Fund, formally known as the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund, serves as a safety net for the commonwealth. Having an appropriate level of funding in reserve can alleviate pressure to cut discretionary program spending – or raise taxes – during an economic downturn.
The current balance of the Rainy Day Fund is $243.6 million. At that level, the fund would cover General Fund expenses for a little more than two days. When the approved $2.5 billion deposit is added, the fund would be able to cover state expenses for about 25 days.
