In surprise move, Pa. House expected to pass budget “framework”

Republicans have said they will not vote on the Senate-passed budget bill until it is accompanied with a tax plan.

The pension bill remained stalled in the House, amid lobbying by anti-tax groups to vote against it as a proxy defeat of the wider spending and tax plan.

Pennsylvania has been without a state budget since July 1, straining both school districts and human service agencies.

But in a move led by Philadelphia Republican John Taylor, the House Tuesday instead took procedural votes to put the budget deal back on track.

Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, urged House members to support the $30.8 billion framework budget, calling it “our only pathway” to an an agreement between the Democratic governor and the Republican-controlled House and Senate.

In November, Wolf and House and Senate leaders agreed to a budget deal that revolved around the 6 percent spending increase and $1 billion-plus tax increase.

“In the budget that passed the Senate, pain was shared and progress was shared on investments in our businesses, communities and schools”, Yudichak said.

Procedural votes were scheduled for later Monday.

Wolf said Tuesday he was pleased, but that there’s still a ways to go after signs of a breakthrough.

Twelve years ago, a lengthy budget stalemate was resolved on December 22, 2003, as the holidays approached. Lawmakers are rushing to approve a bipartisan budget before Christmas.

“We need a full-year budget and the governor is still going to stand strong on his commitment to funding our schools and fixing our deficit and balancing our budget”, press secretary Jeff Sheridan said. Moderate Republicans joined Democrats to form a 100-97 majority on Tuesday’s final vote.

With remaining questions, which version of the budget to vote, as well as pension reform plan revisions and what taxes would be raised to come up with the almost $700 million in additional revenue, neither house of the legislature seemed poised to do much of anything to move the budget process along. 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. Legislative sources had expressed hope that Wolf would line-item veto the budget, to allow funds for schools and social services to begin flowing. Sticking points include how to pay for education-spending increases the governor wants and how to trim pension benefits for state employees, a Republican priority.