House GOP takes turn to solve Pennsylvania budget stalemate

Gov. Tom Wolf is facing a decision over what to with a last-ditch spending bill being sent to him without the increase in aid to public schools that he had sought.

However, it’s not clear if Wolf will agree to the plan. It’s already passed the Republican-controlled Senate and the House could send it to Wolf’s desk Wednesday.

The pension bill failed in the House over the weekend, meaning it would likely have to be brought up for reconsideration and given enough votes to pass.

As was the case in 2003, this year’s debate, which was began on June 30 when Wolf became the first governor in almost 50 years to veto an entire budget, has been similarly marked by tantrums and fits of pique by all concerned.

Lawmakers have proposed raising the state sales tax or income tax, among other possibilities, but it appeared Wednesday that no consensus has been reached yet.

“Since these guys can’t work together to get a budget done, it’s time we abolish the current government and start over”, she said. “What was unacceptable then is still unacceptable now – what have these last six months meant?”

The main appropriations bill in a $30.8 billion spending package favored by Wolf passed the Senate two weeks ago and was teed up for a final vote in the House.

The state budget mess is getting messier and legislators are running out of patience, as the battle to get an agreement grows uglier by the day.

Numerous House Democrats attempted to object to the session ending before the vote but Speaker Mike Turzai denied them the chance, Schreiber said.

The House adjourned and planned to return Wednesday, though committee meetings were planned for later Tuesday.

“We don’t have a choice”, Wolf told reporters.

“That’s kind of the equivalent of taking your marbles and going home”, he said.

After months of negotiating, a budget framework was in place. “We could move forward with everything else and still come back in January and look at liquor”.

Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, said he would urge Wolf to veto the plan.

Sens. David Argall, R-29, Tamaqua; Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp.; John Gordner, R-27, Berwick; Mario Scavello, R-44, Mount Pocono and Gene Yaw, R-23, Williamsport, voted for the bill. However, there were still major elements of the bipartisan budget deal that were unsettled.

But House GOP leaders say they won’t vote on a spending proposal without the tax plan to pay for it, and top lawmakers have not unveiled any such agreement. “This is what this whole budget negation has been about”, he said.

Further, legislation to authorize a $1 billion-plus tax increase as part of the deal has not been introduced in either chamber. Beer distributorships are not included in the bill, and selling hard liquor would remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of the approximately 600 state-owned stores.

He said Scranton School District will need a substantial boost in state aid now that it has been forced to borrow money due to the stalemate.