HARRISBURG, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — On the 100th day of Pennsylvania’s budget impasse, the state House of Representatives passed a second general funding bill, sending it to the Senate, after House Democrats accused Senate Republicans of stalling.
The bill moved out of the House Appropriations Committee on a party-line vote, with state Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana County), the minority chair, saying they couldn’t support the 118-page budget, as they got it about an hour before the vote.
“We don't know where these revenues are going to come from. We don't know what policy is in this,” said Struzzi. “People need to understand that discussions have been occurring. You know, we have been trying to reach common ground, and I think this gets us closer, but it is not there yet.”
However, state Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia), the House Appropriations Committee chair, said everything in the plan has been discussed for months. Moreover, he added the $50.3 billion plan shows Democrats are willing to compromise as it cuts more than $1.3 billion than Gov. Josh Shapiro’s initial proposal.
“We were okay at 49.999 if the Senate could get the votes they could not. Time is up. We got to pass a budget,” he said. “Folks are willing to see the infrastructure of our government start to crumble for reasons that are beyond the actual policies that are before us.”
During press conferences earlier on Wednesday, House Republican leaders said spending and revenue remain too far apart.
“This caucus has been willing to work with both sides, all sides, and we have,” said state House Minority Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bradford and Fulton counties). “We've been in constant communication with the Senate Republicans. I believe that everyone has the same goal. It's just, what are we willing to do to get there?”
But House Majority Leader Matt Bradford said Senate Republicans can’t get 26 of their 28 members to support any budget.
“We know we have divided government, and we know that that is a divided caucus. But … if you can't tell the public, ‘We're not going to get everything we want and we have to compromise,’ then you shouldn't be in leadership and you damn well shouldn’t lead a caucus,” he said.
He also accused Senate Republicans of trying to chip away at Shapiro’s 60% approval rating heading into next year’s gubernatorial race.
“It's about the politics of those who want to bring down a governor that is unbelievably popular. It is the most cynical politics in the world.”