Lawmakers consider options after Pennsylvania budget defeat

A flurry of activity by the governor’s office, including telephone calls and meetings with Wolf, came after House Republicans leaders turned against the outlines of a budget deal they helped negotiate with Wolf and the Senate.

“I think it makes it more hard for both sides of the aisle to put that vote up”, said Rep. Eugene DiGirolamo, R-Bucks. Top Democrats say that at least 73 out of 83 Democrats will support it, meaning close to 30 out of 119 Republican votes are necessary to pass it.

Obama has promised to sign the massive measure.

WOLF WIN?: Gov. Tom Wolfs office says it has the votes for a tax package that could end the budget impasse just before Christmas.

It’s a peaceful end in the House to a yearlong struggle over the budget, taxes, and Republican demands of President Barack Obama. Amendments offered by conservatives in a House Rules Committee hearing this week were rejected. GOP victories include a big boost for the military and the end of a four-decade ban of exporting USA crude oil.

The vote was closed shortly after the 150th Republican “yes” vote was cast.

The whip set a marker of 150 GOP votes for the spending bill in the letter, which criticized Republican lawmakers who vote against a bill but secretly hope it passes. It capped an impressive first few weeks for new Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., who got the benefit of the doubt from most Republicans, who by a wide margin opposed earlier legislation that established the framework for the budget package.

“We said from the very beginning we are not looking at additional revenue sources until we address the number one cost driver for the state and the school districts”, said House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-Indiana County. Those voting for the bill included 166 Democrats and 150 Republicans.

After the vote, Scalise touted the majority support from Republicans as a moment of unity after his warning letter. To pass, it will need 102 votes in the 203-member chamber. Democrats followed Pelosi’s lead and backed the bill by a 166-18 margin.

In exchange for ending the oil export ban, Democrats won extensions of tax breaks for alternative power sources such as solar and wind energy. House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, said it was being written by his staff Thursday night.

To clarify, there were two major pieces of legislation being advanced this week.

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