“PA Budget ‘Back On Track” After House Changes Direction

Efforts to resolve Pennsylvania’s 6-month-old budget stalemate hit a holiday pause Thursday after several days of fast-paced developments, with lawmakers waiting to hear whether Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf will sign a Republican spending plan or veto it and send negotiators back to work.

House Republican majority leaders announced a plan for a Tuesday vote on a short-term emergency spending bill, but could give no details about the duration or dollar amount.

Pennsylvania is one of just two states that have not passed a budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

A sense of optimism that state officials could finally produce a budget had dissolved Saturday, when House Democrats and numerous Republicans joined forces to topple a pension bill that was part of an agreement among legislators and the administration.

House Republicans haven’t given details about the amount or duration of the spending package.

Elements of the budget deal remain unresolved.

The bill, which passed the House on December 8 but had been stalled in the Senate until Wednesday, carries $200 million less for public schools.

In a press release, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell touted provisions tucked into the bill that he says will benefit Kentucky – including $200 million for cleanup at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, $10 million for broadband development in Central Appalachia, and the permanent extension of tax credits for Kentucky businesses and farmers.

On Monday, his spokeswoman, Jennifer Kocher, said Senate Republican leaders would have to talk with members about the House proposal.

The House voted 149-52 against a bill that would have forced newly hired teachers and state workers into a hybrid system made up of a traditional pension alongside a 401(k)-style benefit.

State legislators narrowly supported procedural hurdles regarding the budget bill Tuesday, which sparked optimism that the budget could reach Wolf’s desk for a signature as soon as Wednesday. Gov. Tom Wolf’s office isn’t saying whether he’d sign it.

“This bill is not going anywhere”, he said.

Legislation that passed the Senate would allow about 14,000 holders of takeout beer licenses – including restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets and delis – to purchase licenses to sell up to four bottles of wine to a customer.

Wolf says he has enough votes to pass a 6 percent spending increase the House has previously voted down.

“We’re not claiming that this is the end of the discussion, but we need to get something to the governor”, said Sen.

In a surprise move Wednesday afternoon, Speaker Mike Turzai, (R) 28th District, adjourned members of the house without voting on the budget.

Wolf criticized it as shortchanging public schools and using gimmicks to balance. “It came at the behest of right-wing Republicans who want military spending and left-wing Democrats who want welfare spending, and that’s the dirty little secret”.