HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Latest on a Republican budget plan in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives (all times local):
9:40 p.m.
Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives is sending the Senate a no-new-taxes borrowing package to help plug state government’s $2.2 billion budget gap.
The GOP-penned measure passed, 103-91, late Wednesday night, with heavy opposition by Democrats. Pennsylvania’s budget stalemate is in its third month and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf says the House GOP’s plan doesn’t solve the state’s underlying financial problems.
The plan follows the collapse of earlier House GOP proposals. Republican Rep. Paul Schemel of Franklin County, says it uses money the state already has. But critics say it “robs Peter to pay Paul.”
The revamped package relies on borrowing $1 billion against future revenues and siphons $600 million-plus from off-budget programs, including accounts for mass transportation and environmental protection.
It also faces opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate, which passed a $500 million-plus tax package in July to help fully fund a $32 billion spending agreement approved overwhelmingly by both chambers.
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7:45 p.m.
Republicans who control Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives are debating a no-new-taxes borrowing package to help plug state government’s $2.2 billion budget gap.
House Republicans expected a vote late Wednesday night.
With a budget stalemate in its third month, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is warning he’ll be unable to pay bills on time starting Friday.
This House GOP plan follows the collapse of earlier proposals to fully fund a $32 billion spending agreement approved overwhelmingly by lawmakers.
One supporter, Republican Rep. Paul Schemel of Franklin County, says it avoids raising taxes and uses money the state already has to help balance the budget.
The revamped package relies on borrowing $1 billion against future revenues and siphons $600 million-plus from off-budget programs, including accounts for mass transportation, environmental protection and economic development.
Wolf opposes it and says it doesn’t solve the state’s underlying financial problems. Democratic lawmakers oppose it, and it faces opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate.
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4:45 p.m.
Up against an unprecedented cash crunch, Republicans who control Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives are preparing to vote on a no-new-taxes revenue package to help plug state government’s $2.2 billion budget gap.
House Republicans scheduled a vote late Wednesday night. With a budget stalemate in its third month, the state’s bank account is scraping bottom and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf is warning he’ll be unable to pay bills on time starting Friday.
This House GOP plan follows the collapse of earlier proposals.
Republicans say the revamped package relies on borrowing $1 billion against future revenue from Pennsylvania’s share of 1998’s multistate settlement with tobacco companies.
It siphons $600 million-plus from off-budget programs, including accounts for transportation projects and environmental protection. Wolf opposes it, and Democrats say the one-time raids hurt important programs and don’t solve the state’s underlying financial problems.
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